TRAGIC SCENES IN LONDON RAID

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 310, 31 December 1940, Page 7

TRAGIC SCENES IN LONDON RAID

Buildings Toppled Like Giant Trees THOUSANDS OF BOMBS World-Known Landmarks Now Piles Of Ruins « (United Press Association.—Copyright.— Rec. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 30. Large areas in London last night were converted into a blazing inferno as successive waves of bombers lit a brilliant trail across the capital. There was a pendemonium of noise, with the swish of bombs, the crackle of incendiaries, the deafening detonations of high explosives, and the bass boom of defending guns combining to make a hellish cacophony. The blackout became superfluous, fires illuminating the streets and enabling newspapers to be read in the glare. From the top of one building in a busy area 1 7 fires were visible within a quarter-mile radius, including a famous Wren church, which Auxiliary Fire Service members were unable to save. As one ' fire was controlled another started. Famous landmarks stood out in spectral relief against the glare and flare of the flames. It was a terrible, macabre scene, possessing a horrifying fascination. Buildings blazed and then toppled like giant trees. Brewery Stable Shattered. One high explosive bomb killed 80 horses in a brewery stable. Another hit a church, under which 400 people were sheltering, but there were no casualties. Several boroughs reported casualties, the victims being trapped in debris. At the height of the raid the heavy anti-aircraft fire died down and' British fighters swept into the attack. There was a short, intensive battle, and then the raide4e temporarily disappeared, but returned for spasmodic bombing. A surprising lull came after three hours. The Luftwaffe's tactics were baffling, as vast areas presented a dazzling target. There is no news of the weather on the Continent, but the only explanation is that the Germans Were landbound after the early hours of the night and their heavy bombers were unable tp follow the success of the planes which dropped incendiaries. An Air Ministry communique says: "The enemy last night dropped a large number of incendiary bombs on the City of London in a deliberate attempt to set it on fire. Damage was done to many famous buildings, including the Guildhall and several city churches. , St. Paul's was endangered, but neighbouring fires were extinguished in time. Bombs Dropped at Random. "There was nowhere any attempt to single out targets of military importance. Fires were also caused in other parts of the London area, and commercial buildings were damaged. The fire services worked heroically and successfully throughout the night. Casualties were few.** Some buildings were dynamited to prevent the fires spreading. St. Bride's Church, in Fleet Street, was practically gutted, while many buildings in Cheapside were wrecked. Incendiaries burnt through the lead roofing of St. Paul's, while the Banquet Hall at the Guildhall was set on fire. Tens of thousands of bombs were dropped and almost every section of the metropolitan area suffered. Explosive bombs hit a museum, two hospitals and two churches. Fires taxed the emergency services to the utmost. The All Clear was given shortly before midnight. In the rain, of bombs, historic places more or less substantially damaged included some of the better known buildings contiguous to St. Paul's Cathedral. The Guildhall was visited to-day by Mr. Churchill and the Lord Mayor of London, who viewed the charred shell. The Old Bailey, or Criminal Court, was damaged. Dr. Johnson's house, in Cough Square, off Fleet Street, was destroyed. It was in this house that Dr. Johnson lived from 1748 till 1758, and there he engaged in the production of "The Rambler" and his famous "Dictionary." The old "Cheshire Cheese," in which Dr. Johnson and Boswell are said to have foregathered, escaped destruction.