BOBBING RAIDS.

Evening Star, Issue 23864, 19 April 1941, Page 8

BOBBING RAIDS.

Ox the night of April 9 British bombers made a raid on Berlin, which was described as the heaviest experienced by that capital. Its duration was nearly three hours. Tho attacks were directed against the main railway station, largo goods yards, and other points of military importance, but the damage was not confined to such objectives. Large (ires wore started in the heart of tho city, and the destruction especially in the Untcr den Linden and the Government district, was described as terrific. All the British aircraft returned safely. On Wednesday night u Gorman attack was made on London as a reprisal, it was said, for that on Berlin and one on Potsdam. Between 450 and 500 planes participated in it —at least twice as many as in any previous assault —and it was 11 tho most smashing and intensive raid yet.” Five enemy aircraft were brought clown.

Londoners were undaunted. They called it a ‘‘ noisy night,” and the now American Ambassador, Mr Winant, received a new impression of their unconquerable spirit. Germany has advantages for this form of hostilities in her superior numbers of aircraft—before long, with America’s help, to be redressed—and her nearer bases. By way of an offset, Britain is now able to use • her new bombs, five times as destructive as any employed by her before, and will be able to use increasing numbers of much more powerful machines. On Thursday night an attack was made on Berlin, described as tho heaviest yet launched against tho German capital. It was made according to plan, with a first eye to military objectives, not by the German method of indiscriminate destruction and massacre, which is neither magnificent nor war.

The raids on cities are the phase of the war which least bears thinking about when they affect women and children, the sick in hospitals, historic and beautiful buildings, and humble homes. Their sequence to date makes one point clear which .Mr Herbert Morrison, the British Home Secretary, admitted two months ago. Neither Britain nor Germany has yet mastered the enemy night bomber. There were signs, Mr Morrison stated, that things were moving in the right direction, and signs that tho Germans were doing new things to defend themselves. It was a race as to who was going to diminish the danger first. He did not knejv whether Britain would bo triumphant over tho night bomber. The problem was being studied with all the vigour possible. “In tho meantime,” the Minister emphasised, “ we must face it that night bombing will go on, ami I think it would be wise for civil defence authorities to assume that night attacks may become more severe for a time. Let us therefore not arrange our civil defence organisations on the basis that we shall not get any worse experience than we have had. We might. We must be ready to stand up to more severe attacks if they should take place.” That warning has been fully justified by the latest barbarism.

Tbe first issue of the ‘ Sports Special ’ for this season will be published on Saturday evening next. It will contain all the "popular features of last year’s series in support of the sporting news of the day—viz., magazine page specials, a cross-word puzzle competition for prizes, turf topics, sporting columns by special contributors, and the latest war news. The factors governing the decision to continue publication of this weekly during the war were chiefly the eager interest our soldiers overseas showed in its receipt last season, the opportunity to give the public the very latest news of the war, which in the next few months must approach its climax, and the fact that the rationing of nowprint, based on 3938 figures, made an allowance for the production of a ‘ Sports Special,’ which allowance, moreover, could not ho added to the quota of pages allotted for the daily ‘ Star.’ Some subscribers to the latter have complained of the cut in tho size of the issues. This is a matter not within the power of the management to remedy. The Government rationing of newsprint among the dailies has allotted a certain monthly quota involving a very radical cut on 1938 production, anti that quota has to be eked out, very much in the same way as the motorist apportions his daily nse of petrol to correspond with his monthly allowance.

Australian returned soldiers who are resident in Dunedin wore disconcerted to find, when arrangements were being made as usual to prepare a wreath for Anzac Day that the embossed crest of the A.1.F., the well-known “ rising sun ” motif, was missing. The wreaths used in previous years are kept in store by the Returned vSoldiers’ Association, and it is not known at. what time the crest was removed. The committee which is in charge is particularly con-' corned, not only because of the intrinsic and sentimental values attached to it, but also because there is little time left to replace it before Anzac Day. Anyone who knows of its whereabouts is requested to get in touch with the Returned Soldiers’ Association. “ The New Zealand Silver Band is a credit to tho Army, aud-it is certainly good to hear New Zealand talent again.” This comment on a programme given by tho Dominion Band m the Middle Fast is contained in a letter received by Mr and Mrs Robert Dewar, of Bennetts, North Canterbury, from their’daughter. Miss P. S. Dewar, who is a member of tbo nursing service attached to tho 2nd New Zealand General Hospital with the Middle Fast Forces. “ You will remember that money was collected in New Zealand to buy Instruments for tho band, and I think £I,OOO was raised,” writes Miss Dewar. “ The band entertained us for ages, and I think the money was well spent on the instruments, as the hand cheered every patient and soldier in tho hall. My word, it was marvellous! The Maori lads also sang very well.”

Having witnessed pet dogs being tracked down and captured by attendants in the Botanic Gardens, and been told that their ultimate fate was the lethal chamber, a correspondent asks its whether this procedure is generally known, and points out the danger of dogs living in the vicinity innocently entering the Gardens. The attendants there, however, are only acting in accordance with fcho city by-laws, which provide tor the apprehension of all dogs which enter, accompanied or unaccompanied, any public gardens. The Otago Provincial Patriotic Council has received from the South Otago zone a contribution of £36 to the " Comforts for Fighters " fund. This contribution is made by the Maclennan Committee, representing a mere handful of people in anything but a good farming locality, and is more than double the amount (£ls) which the committee was asked to provide. The chief traffic inspector (Mr R. J. Avery) urges the public to take the utmost care while the blackout is in operation. Ho advises all pedestrians to wear white armlets made from calico or sheeting, similar to those used in England. They are made stocking style, with clastic at each end, and reach from tho wrist to just above the elbow. Another very important safety factor, Mr Avery points out, is for the pedestrian to keep his or her eyes trained on the road for motor traffic, to cross tho road at right angles (using pedestrian crossings whenever this is at all possible), and not to "jaywalk." Jay-walking lias caused a big percentage of fatal road accidents. In regard to the armlets, Mr Avery states that these are cot at all unsightly, and the wearing of them by pedestrians helps motorists considerably. To wear them will betoken a willingness to cooperate in the campaign for the safetv of all. Tho monthly meeting of the Taieri Poultry Society was presided over by Mr J. Friend. A discussion took place on the advisability of holding the annual show, as conditions were not normal and none too promising. However, after a lengthy discussion, it was decided to hold the show as usual, and judges were nominated and collectors appointed. Mr Matheson was appointed secretary. * " We in New Zealand of the Anzacs aro delighted to learn that the Second New Zealand Division has been linked with tho Australians to form the seeon Anzacs," the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, stated yesterday. Mr Perry added that it was inost appropriate that the Australians and New Zealnnders had come together so nunr to Anscac Day.

From “ Pensioner ” wo have received £2 70s for the Comforts for Soldiers Fund.

An Auckland Assocation message states that the American Clipper left at 8.30 for Noumea on the return llight to San Francisco. The Hying boat carried five passengers, including Governor-General Richard Brunot and his wife, and Captain Fatoux, Gover-nor-General Brnnot having completed Jus visit to New Zealand as special envoy of General de Gaulle.

Hotelkeepers or those in search of a sound investment will do well to read the advertisement in the auction columns of the sale by auction of South Canterbury’s leading hotel, known as The Grosvcnor, Timarn. This highly important auction sale will be held by* H. Allchurch and Co., of Timaru, whose announcement appears in the auction columns.—l. Attention is directed to the railway advertisement appearing in tins issue announcing that the usual 5.40 p.m. train for Palmerston will be delayed to leave Dunedin at 6.40 p.m. on Thursday, April 24; also particulars of suspension of train services (with certain exceptions) on Anzac Day, 25th instant. The attention of Manchester Unity members is drawn particularly to the meeting ,n Loyal Albion Lodge on Thursday cveniiif, full particulars of which will be advertised in next Wednesday’s papers.