BLITZ ON CAPITAL

Auckland Star, 12 May 1941, Page 7

BLITZ ON CAPITAL

WAS "BIGGEST EVER"

HAIL OF BOMBS

Night Fighters Take Toll

Of Enemy

Tinted Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, May 11. Full-scale blitz returned to London on Saturday night. - The German radio had threatened "the biggest ever," and the beginning of the raid certainly seemed to live up to that. Throughout the hours of darkness high explosive and incendiary bombs fell on the city with unrelenting fury, and when the all-clear was sounded at dawn Londoners looked out upon a scene of destruction.

Many bompers arrived when darkness fell, raining down clusters of incendiaries and'very heavy explosives. Householders declared the raiders swooped almost as low as the rooftops. More and more incendiaries and explosives came down.

Everv gun In London seemed to be in action but the rapid onrush of raiders continued unabated, presumablv with the intention of intimidating 'the fire-fighters and Home Guards. However, fire engines sped through the streets regardless of the incessant hail of bombs. The brilliant moon became a mere pale circle in the brightness of the irxcendiaries. "Night of Horror" The souna and fury of the bombing slackened considerably after five hours, but the night of horror continued until dawn. Sweeping flames leapt from building to building, and many were burned out. Each new blaze sent up fragments of blazing wood, some as big as a fist and some bigger, wrnch were like a hellish snowfall drifting across the streets and buildings, littering streets and lodging in gables, where they started fresh fires. The air was literally filled with fiery particles and acrid smoke clouded the moon.

A bomb whicn fell In a street market caused casualties and trapped shelterers. Other bombs swayed large buildings. A residential district on the outskirts of London suffered badly. A direct hit on a wardens' post killed the chief warden and injured others. An auxiliary fire station also received a direct hit.

At least two of London's most loved churches, one of which is among the oldest, are now mere shells, and others are scarred. Many imposing buildings and office blocks were damaged beyond repair.

At least 124 enemy aircraft have been destroyed over Britain at night this month, which means that Germany has lost between 500 and 600 trained airmen. The fact that so many of the raiders were destroyed has encouraged Lontloners. Up to last night it was estimated that the destruction of night raiders was from 3 to 6 per cent of the attacking force. It was believed that if the British defences could bring down 20 raiders a night that percentage would be doubled.

During the week ended at dawn on Monday the record number of German aircraft for 1941 was shot down over Britain, says British Official Wireless, the number being 76 at night and 30 by day. No British aircraft were lost at night. The day losses total nine, with four pilots safe.

During the same period a naval ship destroyed one plane.

A German communique by cable said a strong'force raided London for the whole night and successive waves of bombers dropped high explosive .bombs of every calibre; also tens of thousands of incendiary bombs. Large fires were started on the Thames bend, particularly at the Commercial and Millwall docks.

• Berlin adds that strong British air force squadrons last night attacked the north German coastal area, mainly Hamburg. High exolosives and incendiary bombs caused numerous fires, but the damage to military objectives was insignificant. Single planes penetrated the outskirts of Berlin.