Famous Buildings Gravely Damaged

Auckland Star, 12 May 1941, Page 7

Famous Buildings Gravely Damaged

ABBEY OPEN TO SKY

Heroism Of Fire Fighters As Attackers Do Their Worst

(United Press Association.—Copyright.—Received Noon.)

LONDON, May I 1

Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Hall were all seriously damaged by high explosives and incendiaries in last night s raid, while Westminster Abbey was set on fire It is understood that in the House of Lords Captain E L Elliott resident superintendent, was killed aI: his post while assisting in fire-fighting. Two policemen and one custodian were also killed Other members of the staff, who worked all night extinguishing flames and salvaging valuable records and relics, had remarkable escapes. The British Museum is also amongst the damaged buildings. The debating chamber in the House of Commons was wrecked. It is feared it will never be used again until rebuilt. Bombs smashed the windows of the lobby, which was hit on previous raids. Bombs pierced the magnificent roof of Westminster Hall and damaged the interior. The face of Big Ben was blackened and scarred, but although apparatus broadcasting the chimes to all parts of the world was put out of action temporarily, the hands of the clock went on telling the time to Londoners. The deanery at Westminster Abbey, one of the most perfect medieval houses in England, was destroyed. The dean and his wife had nothing left but the clothes they were wearing. . „ The is °P en to the sky, the roof in one place having fallen in. Ihe pulpit has been partly destroyed and considerable damage was done by water, but most of the historic parts have not been damaged. The fabric of the Abbey is intact, and no irreparable damage has been done. In addition to the deanery, the houses of the canon, the organist and the precentor have been burnt out. Goering's Vandals Tried to Wipe Out London This latest attempt by Goering s vandals to wipe out London was a fiery blizzard of golden sparks, the most awe-inspiring spectacle ever seen in the world's greatest capital. It? reality was an inferno of biazing buildings, which stood out in relief. Tongues of flame leaped from buildings which had survived previous raids and through gaping windows. Fresh areas of wanton destruction were revealed. London was bathed in a golden glow. Fire-fighters again performed deeds of unbounded heroism. Perched on the swaying tops of turntable escapes, with tongues of flame licking around them, they fought grimly to bring the outbreaks under control. St. Paul's Cathedral was silhouetted against the dawn as a witness of an outrage as dastard as any in this dastardly war. Casualties Likely to be High The Air Ministry, in a communique dealing with the raid, eays London w as attacked and bombed heavily for several hours Casualties w*re high and considerable damage was done. Bombs were drvpped at many points outside London, particularly in the south-east and East Anglia. A small number of people are reported killed. The raid is described by eye-witnesses as easily the worst London has yet suffered. The German High Command states that it was a reprisal for R.A.F. bombings of Berlin. , , A , tour of London this morning revealed tragic destruction or buildings, shops and homes. Londoners were grieved to find some well-knpwn buildings unrecognisable heaps of wreckage Une ancient building still blazing bore the date 1 669. Pathetic Sights in Little Streets t *k Pe ? p!e emer sed from their shelters and gazed wonder-eyed at the destruction. They searched vainly for their usual buses, which m some cases were diverted to other routes. A number of streets were railed off where it was necessary to clear the debris ihere were pathetic sights in little streets of small shops where ramiUes live overhead. Even though they were not bombed or «et on hre the effects of the blasts achieved the same destructive purpose of windows blown out and interiors wrecked. Night fighters destroyed 31 raiders and anti-aircraft batteries iWO. .. , more hospitals were hit, causing casualties at two. The mrd was a children's hospital. Bombs struck a night club, a tneatre and a cinema.