AIR RAIDS

Evening Star, Issue 23745, 28 November 1940, Page 11

AIR RAIDS

EXPERIENCE OF EX-DUHEDSH CLERGYMAN Experience of air raids and of war conditions in England has been the Jot of the Rev. H. O. Fenton, who was for many years vicar ot Anderson’s Bay. Writing from “ somewhere in England” on September 16, he says; “Letters from New Zealand now take from eight to 10 weeks, and so many things will have happened before you get this. Any way, England is on top again as regards the air. Yesterday’s ‘ bag ’ of about 200 enemy planes definitely proves this. The possibilities of an invasion arc now remote; the possibilities of a successful invasion absolutely nil. The battering just given to their ports of departure proves this also. In consequence, Hitler has let loose his planes on London—that is, as many as survive the barrage. London has suffered badly—no mistake of that—but the unconquerable British spirit is aroused, and then the homeless East Londoner keeps up his pecker. I can, of course, give you no details of the bombing. But a I,ooolb bomb can devastate a mighty big area. “ When France gave in wc were dazed. I could hot see how wo could stand against the additions to the German forces of French planes and ships. Remember how much equipment we lost at Dunkirk, though the Army itself was wondox-fully saved. If Hitler had struck then I fancy 1 should not be writing this. But he missed the bus. Now woe betide anyone trying to land. “ We have caught it here twice. One morning a fleeing enemy plane let go a stick of bombs that hit the lower part of the parish. I went down as soon as 1 could. There were six dead and as many wounded seriously. Some houses were literally demolished, others had parts cut right off. . . . Some New Zealand soldiers rendered service iu removing beams, etc., until official squads arrived. What wanton murder!

“ Wc have no dug-out shelter, but we have a very well-protected passage. This I had strutted with beams and covered with strong iron. These defences arc no use against a direct hit, buo are proof against shell splinters and flying glass. The small boys around here are making huge collections of fragments of shells,' bombs, and planes. Our roof so Jfar is intact,

but neighbours have not been so lueky. When the A.A. guns arc all spoa'kin fr it is hard to believe that a Jerry plane eould manage to get through. OF course, they attempt it only at night. It is an extraordinary sensation to lie awake at night and think that overhead is a Nam plane laden with about 12 bombs (or 200 incendiary ones). Between us is a matter of a ceiling and a root. All around •ire o-oiim up tons of shells, fragments ).p whieirnnist all come down. Would van believe it. I have framed my sub•,.„riscious mind not to worry and not i ,, , v .,|;e me unless for a near-falling bomb.”