GROWING TOIL

Evening Star, Issue 23865, 21 April 1941, Page 3

GROWING TOIL

ENEMY NIGHT RAIDERS R.A.F. DEVELOPING TECHNIQUE (British - Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 19. .In less than two months Royal Air Force night fighters have shot down CG night raiders over Britain, equivalent to several squadrons of the Luftwaffe. The March total was 21, including 11 in one night. This month the figure is already 45, with 10 days to go. In three consecutive April nights fighters destroyed six, then 10, thenjiine raiders, their total of 25 in three night exceeding the total number of night bombers brought down by lighters during the whole of last year. These figures for night successes taiku no account of the large number of raiders probably destroyed over the sea and which in day-time would have been seen to crash.

Among the rapidly increasing night fighter strength of the Royal Air Force certain squadrons and individual pilots already stand out as veterans. One squadron which in 1940 accounted for only three night raiders has this year already destroyed 24. The leader of this squadron has 10 victories. Two other night fighter squadrons have in 1941 bags of 12 each. Compared with the successes Royal Air Force night fighters are now achieving, the attempts of the Luftwaffe to hinder British night bombing have proved a signal failure, in spite of the fact that our night fighters have minutes in which to find the enemy, while German fighters have hours.

PACIFIC DEFENCE POSTS

AMERICAN HELP FOR BRITAIN TRANSFER OF AIRCRAFT BATAVIA, April If). A Domei Agency report from Tokio reveals that United States island air bases are being used for the flight delivery of long-range Consolidated flying boats from California for British defence posts in the South-west Pacific. The Domei Agency adds : “ It is well known that United States pilots aro participating in the deliveres. These include Clyde Pangborn and Bernt Balchen.” DAMAGED LONDON VAHY FAMOUS BUILDINGS LONDON, April 18. It can now be revealed that among famous shrines, hospitals, and shops known throughout the Empire and damaged in the recent raids are St. Paul’s, City Temple Church, Chelsea Old Clin roll, Guy’s Hospital, Chelsea Royal Hospital, Maple’s, Christie’s, and Selfridge’s. A heavy bomb scored a direct hit on the north transept of Rt. Paul’s and carried away the “saucer” dome Tons of masonry were blown nut of the floor of the crypt. Statues of famous generals were mutilated, and almost every window of the cathedral, some dating back to Wren, was shattered. The great dome and the whispering gallery escaped damage by a few feet. The main floor of St. Paul’s cannot be used for services. Only the walls remain of the City Temple, the > headquarters of the Congregational Church, valued at £250,000. A three-story wing of Guy’s Hospital was gutted. The oldest inmate, aged 101. was killed when the infirmary at the Chelsea Royal Hospital was bombed, seriously damaging the building, and killing eight pensioners and five nurses. Maple’s was burnt out. but Selfridge’s was able to carrv on in the basement and the ground floor.

EIRE'S SYMPATHY

BOMBING OF BELFAST LONDON, April 20. Mr de Valera, in a speech at Castlebar, expressed the fullest sympathy with those who suffered in the recent bombing of Belfast. “ In the past,” said Mr dc Valera, “ a number of people in that part of our country perhaps did not see eye to eye with us politically, but they are our own people. Their sorrows in the present instance are our sorrows, and I want to say what 1 know ray people want me to say, that is, whatever help they want and whatever help we can give them will be given wholeheartedly, for I believe if the circumstances were reversed they would offer their help whole-heartedly.”

READY FOR SEA

GERMAN STEAMER ERLANGEN SANTIAGO, April 20. The German steamer Erlangen has been painted grey and is ready for sea. The Erlangen arrived in November, 1939. from New Zealand under sail. The German steamer Lech broke the blockade at Rio de Janeiro. She left the dock and anchored in the bay. though she did not ask for a permit to sail. [The Erlangen was at Port Chalmers prior to the outbreak of war. and was last reported to have been seen in the vicinity of Stewart Island.]

ENEMY-OCCUPIED BELGIUM

GRAVE JUDICIAL PROBLEM (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. April I<J. A grave judicial problem will he created in enemy-occnuied Belgium by the decision announced by the Brussels broadcast that the Gennan authorities have dissolved communal councils and councils of control in 2,670 boroughs elected by universal franchise, and it is obvious that their dissolution is the result of administrative resistance to the Nazi measures, and of the fact that Belgium's courts have always refused to recognise as legal communal councils appointed by r ' urns and not elected by the Belgians.