All-Night Raids Over Britain

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 146, 21 June 1940, Page 7

All-Night Raids Over Britain

MORE CASUALTIES Terrific Barrage And Fighters Drive Enemy Planes Off SHELTERS SUCCESSFUL (United Press Association.—Copyright.—Kec. noon.) LONDON, June 20. It is authoritatively stated that over 100 German bombers participated in last night's raid and dropped more bombs than on the previous night. The Germans changed their line of attack, bombing industrial areas. Certain industrial and factory buildings were damaged, but considering the number of bombs dropped the damage was slight. At least three people were killed in a north-east town, where seven were injured. They included two babies. The force of the explosion lifted some men three feet. The Germans repeatedly dive-bombed and machine-gunned wrecked wooden huts. Four labourers were taken to hospital. Six civilians were killed and 60 were injured. The warnings embraced a much wider area than those of Tuesday night, extending from the east coast of Scotland to southern England and South Wales. The "all clear" signal was not given until dawn. Damage was caused in three towns, but fires which were started were brought under control. At least three German bombers were shot down and others were damaged. , TTjeGerman raiders which escaped from British anti-aircraft guns, fled back to their bases at dawn. Raiders In Waves. An Air Ministry announcement shortly before midnight warned Britons of the approach of the raiders, which appeared in small waves The alarm lasted for five hours. At some points planes flying high were heard throughout the night, also intermittent bombs. North-eastern residents had the longest period in air raid shelters. Bombs were dropped regularly until searchlights cross-fixed one bomber, while the ground defences set up \*f"l ° ba . rra S e « after which British fighters took up the chase. A high explosive bomb hit a house in northern England, killing a mother and daughter and seriously injuring the father Two other houses were completely demolished. Air-Raid Shelters Effective. The efficacy of the air raid shelters was demonstrated near a south-east coast town when five occupants of a house escaped unscathed in a rough home-made dug-out when the house was Bombers for the first time visited South Wales, where raid warnings were sounded. One person died from shock in a town where two others were injured. k *k A 5-*? Asso s ia J tion message states that latest reports received „Vr R >™ ,t,T °i Home Security on last night's enemy air raids over Britain confirm earlier information that material damage done was not serious. As far as present ascertainable, casualties were eight killed or dead from injuries, and about sixty injured. • eof , those £ i,led in !■* ™ght's air raid on Britain was an air raid warden who was patrolling a road, advising people to take cover. He ,s the first member of the A.R.P. Services to lose his life through enemy action.