100 Bombers Raid Britain

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 145, 20 June 1940, Page 7

100 Bombers Raid Britain

DEATH TOLL 13 R.A.F. Fighters Bring Down Six Planes LONG ATTACKS

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 19. It is authoritatively stated that about 100 German 'planes participated in raids on England last night. Their main objectives were apparently aerodromes. R.A.F. fighters definitely accounted for five of the German 'planes and almost certainly shot down a sixth. Many others failed to reach their bases. A victim of the raid, whose leg was amputated, died in hospital, making the death roll 13. Fourteen people were injured. The damage caused by the Germans was generally very slight. The bombs dropped up and down the country fell in many places. It is emphasised that last night was a night in a hundred as regards clear visibility for fighters, and it should not be expected that they will always prove so successful. Probably it is the first occasion on which R.A.F. fighters have brought down raiders over England at night time. Terrific Explosions Heard. The German bombing raids constituted the most prolonged attacks yet attempted against Britain. Both explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped. Warnings were first sounded after midnight, and people were unable to leave the shelters for four hours. The first enemy 'planes were seen flying at a great height over the Thames Estuary. Hundreds of searchlights combing the sky quickly picked out the Gennan machine. A British fighter was following". Then came three quick bursts of machine-gun fire and the enemy 'plane began to drop. The crash was followed by a blinding flash. Another bomber was brought down in a field near the main road to Essex. *Two more crashed blazing into the sea off the east coast. An eye-witness in Cambridgeshire saw a British fighter pumping bullets into a bomber, which fell out of a searchlight beam and burst into flames on the ground. A resident of an east coast village described conditions while sheltering. A bomb fell with a deafening noise. Every window of the house was blown out and a nearby garage and a car within were wrecked. One crashed Heinkel bomber contained three dead Germans. Air raid warnings were again sounded late to-night on the south, south-east and nor-th-east coasts. Searchlights came into action. A later message from London sent at an early hour to-day (Thursday) says the Air Ministry reports that enemy 'planes crossed the east and south coasts. Air raid warnings were sounded at a number of districts and anti-aircraft defences are going into action at several points.