AMAZING CALM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 239, 8 October 1940, Page 5

AMAZING CALM.

UNDER AIR RAIDS.

BOMBING OF BRITAIN.

A vivid description of an air raid as •een from the tower of a 13th century Church in the Wye Valley is given by an Australian in England, in a letter to ft friend in Australia. The letter, which is dated September 6, says that the writer and two others stood watching on the tower, which commanded a magnificent view of the surrounding country (states the "Sydney Morning Herald").

"The night was slightly.overcast, but] ■long the southern horizon we could see iaintly the shafts of searchlights stabbing the sky and reflecting the glow from the clouds where they impinged on approaching German bombers," the letter continues.

"It was between eleven o'clock and midnight, the hour when the German raiders usually pass over this part of the country. 'The little town us •was hidden in a perfect blackout, and there was no sound except the rumbling of military lorrie*. Presently we noticed a great cone of searchlights becoming clearer, and then we heard, faintly, the distinctive purr of an approaching German plane. The First Bomb. "It was heading directly for us, and as it approached the more distant searchlights went out and nearer ones picked it up. Soon it was directly overhead and we seemed to be in the centre of a vast cone of light that lit up the town as by day, but was unable to illuminate the raider, either because it ■was too high, or the clouds held back the beams. We were entranced by the spectacle, when, without warning, less than a mile from where we were, a 'blinding flash of yellow flame dazzled Uβ, to be followed by a terrific explosion. The raider had dropped its first bomb.

"The next bomb was a whistling bomb and it was followed by at least four others. The ancient tower gave not a

tremor, 'but we learned later that houses in the town had rocked to their foundations and windows had rattled violently.

"The bombs fell in open stubble fields, and the plane wheeled and turned south again, still pursued by the searchlights, which, if they did not reach it, at least tserved to keep it at a great height. We watched for another hour, and though in the distance towards South Wales we could see the flashes of exploding bombs and of bursting anti-aircraft shells for a considerable time, no more raiders came our way.

"We descended the 300 stone steps of the spiral staircase and returned to our hotel, but before reaching it we were caught by a group of locals arguing fiercely in the etreet. They tackled us ? and excitedly asked whether the explosions were caused by bombs or anti-air-craft guns. We told them they had been bonubs, and that ended the excitement, ■because it appeared that there had been a fierce argument on this question. One man turned to another and said: 'There you are, Garge. You ought to shut up. You baynt tarking your age! . The British Character. "I have told this story at length to jrive you some idea of the reaction of the British character to air bombing at close quarters. I had never dreamt that such calm would be possible. The only concern of these men, who were so close to exploding bombs that they could smel] the smoke, was what caused the noise. I There was not the slightest sign of fear, and I have no doubt that when they went back to their homes they immediately fell into a sound sleep. "This spirit prevails throughout the whole of England, and it becomes increasingly plain that Hitler will never be able merely to terrorise Britain into subni lesion.

"I had a luncheon engagement with a man to-day at the Devonshire Club. Shortly before one o'clock the air raid sirens began. I telephoned the office of my host to inquire whether he would expect me to keep the appointment during an air raid. His secretary answered the 'phone to eay that he had already left for the club.

"As'l went along Fleet Street, Trafal-I <rar Square, Pall Mall and up* St. James" Street, there was hardly anything to indicate that some part of London at that very moment was being bombed. Traffic was normal and people walked about unconcernedly, except occasionally to glance at the skies.

"I am told that even in those areas which have been constantly and heavily bombed, there is no sign of any breaking of the people's morale.

"Certainly no one here has any doubt that we will win, and there is supreme confidence that every day the R.A.F. is more and more getting the upper hand over the Luftwaffe.

"Of course, the nights are far more uncomfortable than the days, because one never knows where bombs will drop. and my ex'j>erience on the church tower convinced me that German air navigation and bomb aiming are very poor at present. The nearest military objective must have been at least 10 miles from where the bombs fell.

"I am not allowed to tell you anything about the effect of German bombing on London, but I think you can take it that, with some exceptions, the aim has been inaccurate and the results out of all proportion to. the losses the Germans hare sustained."