GERMANS EMPLOY USELESS TACTICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 205, 29 August 1940, Page 8

GERMANS EMPLOY USELESS TACTICS.

OVER LONDON. Wonderful Display Given

By Searchlights.

United. Press Association.—Copyright.

(Reed. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON", Aug. 28

Sirens sounded in London half an hour earlier than usual to-night. The streets were quieter. Enemy 'planes were also over two south-western towns, two north-eastern towns, and a Midland toAvn.

A number of parachute flares were seen to drop in London while s-earchlights were exploring the sky.

There was a wonderful spectacle as over 50 searchlights concentrated on two points from which the drone of enemy 'planes was heard. Several flashes in one district momentarily lit up the sky.

Again adopting useless tactics, the enemy 'planes approached singly. Searchlights picked them up and forced them from the metropolis. There had been no reports of bombs being dropped two hours after the raid. Bombs on South-east Town. Bombs are reported to have been dropped in two south-eastern towns and in one Midland town. 'Planes so far have been reported over nine towns, in addition to London, namely, one town in the south-east, two in the north-east, two in the south-west, two in the northwest, one in the Midlands and one in Wales.

Loud explosions were heard in one area soon after two 'planes passed over. A man telephoning from am air raid shelter at midnight said: "The people here are comfortable with deck chairs, armchairs, camp beds, books, chess, draughts, cards and a. sweepstake. We are now holding on until the all clear goes." An enemy 'plane had been circling for 30 minutes, periodically cutting off the engine and then picking up again With a series of hoarse coughs and splutters. • £aid Continues for Five Hours. Dozens of searchlights at one period converged on a heavy 'plane when two brilliant flashes lit up the sky, followed by tho rumbling crash of heavy explosions. Rapid anti-aircraft fire opened and the 'plane appeared to quit, for the searchlights swung in a new direction.

After four and three-quarter hours the raid was etill in progress in the London area. Heavy detonations were heard, either bombs or gunfire. Fire broke out in one district, but was quickly extinguished.

As the raid entered the sixth hour, action became fiercer and anti-aircraft guns blazed away furiously: The flash of exploding shells could be seen. Four 'planes appeared to be engaged constantly swinging in and out of the London area.

One was caught in a searchlight beam and immediately dropped several -screaming bombs.