ANOTHER ATTACK ON PLYMOUTH

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23317, 1 May 1941, Page 7

ANOTHER ATTACK ON PLYMOUTH

Five Raiders Shot Down MANY. DEATHS FEARED (U.P.A.) LONDON, April 30, Five German raiders were shot down over Britain and oft the coast last night, when the main attack was again directed against Plymouth. A number of fires were started in Plymouth and it is feared that many people lost their lives. The raid was Plymouth’s fifth in nine nights., ’ Raiders were also reported over other parts of south-west and south England, East Anglia, and parts of Wales. Damage was done in one place in South Wales and a number of people were killed. , , The number of night raiders brought down over Britain this month has now reached the record total of 85. The previous record was 47, ip March. Little enemy activity over Britain was reported in daylight. No bombs were reported to have peen dropped. It is now revealed that four raiders were destroyed in Monday night’s raid on Plymouth, three by British fighters and one by anti-aircraft fire. An Admiralty communique states: "A German aircraft was destroyed on Monday evening by His Majesty’s minesweeper Elgin. The minesweeper sustained no casualties or damage. The enemy aircraft, a Heinkel 111, attacked the minesweeper with bombs and ma-chine-gun fire. A shell from the Elgin was seen to pass right through the Heinkel. which stalled and crashed into the sea with a terrific explosion." EVACUATION ORDER WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN PLYMOUTH (8.0. W.) RUGBY, April 29. Announcing the declaration of an evacuation area in Plymouth, the Ministry of Health states: “The question was considered las* summer, and the Ministry did not feel that the step ought to be taken in view of the heavy pressure on reception areas. “But the Minister himself visited Plymouth on March 34, shortly after the first of the recent air attacks on the city. The question was then discussed on the spot and it was agreed that it was not necessary or desirable to take action.

“The authorities responsible locally have now requested that Plymouth should be made an evacuation area, and arrangements are being made to remove school children, to the number of about 10,000, from affected areas as quickly as possible." This decision places Plymouth in the sarpe category as London and similar places regarded by the Luftwaffe as desirable'targets. The evacuation refers, of course, only to children of school age and women with young children.