BATTLES OVER LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 23717, 26 October 1940, Page 11

BATTLES OVER LONDON

NAZIS USE FIGHTER-BOMBERS TWELVE RAIDERS BROUGHT DOWV TRAGIC SCENES IN CITY STREETS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 25* (Received October 26, at noon.) Announcing at 6 o’clock the destruo* tion, according to the reports then available, of 12 enemy aircraft, the Air Ministry stated: Formations of enemy) aircraft, mostly fighters, ranging in size from 20 to 100, crossed the south-east coast at intervals during the day. They flew at a great height in the directioa of London, and British fighters and antiaircraft defences were constantly itt action. In the destruction of 12 German aircraft eight R.A.F. fighters were lost, but four pilots are safe. Although most of the formations were split up and dispersed, a few succeeded in reaching the London area, and bombs have been dropped at a number of widely-separated points in this area and in south-east England. Some houses were hit, and a small number of people were killed and others injured. London iad five alerts during the day. One raider dive-bombed at a height of 2,000 ft. Some houses were damaged, five being injured in. one. The blue sky over London became a battlefield for whirling planes during the third alert, which lasted only a few; minutes, but bombs fell iu several parts. Buses were brought to a standstill sharply, and passengers hurried to shel-' ters, emerging soon afterwards to find several buildings shattered. Several persons were buried under the wreckage of a block of shops and flats, which received the brunt of a stick of three high explosives. Thera were calls for doctors to attend those injured in the streets. Buses in some districts were caught in the raid. The conductor of one waa injured.

A bomb scored a direct hit on a row, of five trams, killing and maiming several passengers. One tram was completely flattened.

Further brief raids followed, the Germans using fighter-bombers. The attacks began and ended with great suddenness.

Women tore off their clothing to provide bandages for the injured. during one street bombing.

A mother and three children wera buried when a bomb demolished a house. They were heard calling for help, and were dug out and taken to hospital. Bombs were heard again during tha fifth alert in the afternoon.

An Air Ministry communique states that there was comparatively little enemy activity over the country last night. Fires in one Midland town damaged commercial property and public buildings, A few were killed and a number injured. Some bombs fell elsewhere, mainly in south-east England. ITALIAN PUNES OVER BRITAIN FOR FIRST TIME LONDON, October 25, London has had several visits, from raiders to-day, and it is believed that two of the German machines have been shot down, including one at Tunbridge Wells. For the first time Italian plane* took part, starting from aerodromes ir occupied France. H GREAT SUCCESSES M LONDON, October 25. (Received October 26, at 1 p.m.) A German communique says Italiaif bomber unite, operating from their base* in occupied territory, participated for, the first time in the air attacks againsi Britain, and scored “ great successe*.^ RESIDENTIAL HOSTELS PROVISION FOR THE HOMELESS (British Official Wireleaa.) RUGBY, October 25. (Received October 26,' at noon.) The work of providing residential hostels for those rendered homeless by enemy action or deprived of the women members of the family through evacuation or any other war reason is being undertaken by an association which the Government is : etting up. The association, of which Miss Horsbrugh (Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health) will be chairman, will* be carried on on a non-profit-makinj basis. It is anticipated ■ that once having acquired and equipped suitable premises it will hand over the day-to-day management of the hostels ta voluntary organisations familiar with this work, but the association will have power to run its own hostels which, it is hoped, will be self-supporting.