OVER FIVE HOURS OF HORROR

Evening Star, Issue 23882, 12 May 1941, Page 7

OVER FIVE HOURS OF HORROR

Many Famous Buildings Destroyed Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 11. London suffered heavily from a full-scale blitz attack last night, enemy raiders showering down incendiaries and very heavy explosives for over five hours, when the fury of the bombing slackened considerably. The night of horror, however, continued until dawn. Sweeping flames leapt from building to building, and many were gutted. Each new blaze sent up fragments of blazing wood, which looked like a hellish snowfall drifting across the streets and buildings. They littered streets and lodged in gables, starting fresh fires. The air was literally filled with fiery particles. An observer said that at its height the raid was the most awe-inspiring spectacle ever seen in the world’s greatest capital. The acrid aftermath of this wanton orgy reveals that at least two of London’s most loved churches, one of which was among the oldest, are mere shells, and others are scarred. Many imposing buildings and office blocks were damaged irreparably.

BLAZING INFERNO MANY DEEDS OF HEROISM This latest attempt of Goering’s vandals to wipe out London was a fiery blizzard of golden sparks. In reality it was an inferno. Blazing buildings stood qpt in stark relief. Tongues of flame leaped from buildings. which had survived previous raids, and through the gaping windows fresh areas of wanton destruction were revealed. London was bathed in a golden glow. Fire-fighters again performed deeds of unbounded heroism. Perched on swaying tops of turntable escapes, with tongues of flame licking around them, they fought grimly to bring the outbreaks under control. St. Paul’s was silhouetted against the dawn as witness of an outrage as dastardly as any in this dastardly war. HEAVY CASUALTIES. The German radio promised that the raid would be the 11 biggest ever,” and the bbgimiing of the attack certainly seemed to live up to. that promise. Householders declared that the raiders swooped almost as low as the rooftops. More and more incendiaries and exploIN RUINS * COMMONS DEBATING CHAMBER . BIG BEN ALSO HIT LONDON, May 12. (Received May 12, at 12.30 p.m.) In last night’s heavy raid oTn London much damage was done to important buildings in the centre of the capital, and some were completely destroyed. Among the famous buildings hit were the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament. The House of Commons debating chamber was so badly smashed that it may never be used again until rebuilt. Big Ben was also hit. The air raid alarm sirens sounded again in London to-night. USUAL "REPRISAL" EXCUSE THE GERMAN VIEWPOINT ■ LONDON, May 11. (Received May 12, at 12.38 p.m.) Saturday night’s raid is described by an eye-witness as easily the worst London has yet suffered. The German High Command states that it was a reprisal for the,R.A.F. bombing of Berlin. TRAGIC DESTRUCTION. 'A tour of London this morning revealed the tragic destruction of buildings, shops, and homes. Londoners grieved to find some well-known buildings unrecognisable. Heaps of wreckage of one ancient building were blazing. The building bore the date 1669. People emerged from shelters and gazed wonder-eyed at the destruction and searched vainly for the usual buses, which in some cases were diverted to other routes. A number of streets were railed off where necessary to clear the debris. PATHETIC SCENES. There were pathetic sights in little streets of small shops where families lived overhead. Even though they were not bombed or set on fire, the effects of the blasts achieved the same destructive, purpose of windows blown out and interiors wrecked. A German communique said: A strong force raided London. Throughout the night successive waves dropped high explosives of every calibre, also tens of thousands of incendiaries. Largo fires occurred iu the Thames bend, particularly in the commercial areas and the Millwall docks. The communique acids; Strong British forces last night attacked the north German coastal area, mainly Hamburg. High explosives and incendiaries caused numerous fires, but the damage to military objectives was insignificant. .Singh; planes penetrated the outskirts of Berlin.

sives came down, and every gun in London seemed to be in action. The rapid onrush of the raiders continued unabated, presumably with the intention of intimidating the fire-fighters and Home Guards. Fire engines, however, sped l through the streets regardless of the incessant hail of bombs. The brilliant moon became a mere pale circle in the brightness of the fires. A bomb in a street market caused casualties and trapped those who were sheltering. Other bombs swayed large buildings. A residential district on the outskirts of Loudon suffered badly. A direct hit on a wardens’ post killed the chief warden and injured others, an auxiliary fire station was directly hit, and five hospitals, including a children’s hospital, were struck. The number of casualties is considerable. Rescuers are still searching for those entombed in the debris. THIRTY-THREE DOWN. The Luftwaffe paid a heavy price, however, for this third attempt to fire the capita,!. Thirty-three bombers were destroyed, 31 of them by night fighters of the R.A.F, The other two were brought down by anti-aircraft fire. The totals of enemy machines destroyed at night has mounted rapidly each month since the beginning of the year, and for the first 10 days of May 124 have been shot down. The monthly totals are: January. 15; February, if; March, 47; April, 90. THE WEEK’S BAG A 1941 RECORD 106 ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED (British Official Wireless.) (RUGBY, May 11. (Received May 12, at 11.52 a.ra.) During the week ended dawn, May 10, the record number of German aircraft for 1941 was shot down over Britain—76 at night and 30 by day. No British aircraft were lost at night. The day losses total nine, with four pilots safe. During the same period a naval ship destroyed one plane. An analysis of last night’s Air Ministry reports shows that of the 33 enemy bombers destroyed four were shot down by anti-aircraft gunfire and 29 by night fighters. DAYLIGHT IMMUNITY GREAT VICTORY FOR R.A.F. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 10. Over 120 enemy night raiders have been brought down in the first 10 days of this month. This fact is recalled by the Minister of Labour (Mr Ernest Bevin), addressing munition workers and trainees. Mr Bevin described the present daylight immunity from air attack as a great victory, judged by the situation as it appeared last year. “We are .on parade now,” lie said. 11 Never mind the croakers and other people. We are winning and winning every hour, and all it needs now is greater and greater production in order that we can meet Hitler on his own ground.” Calling for greater industrial effort, Mr Bevin said that when parity and beyond had been obtained in every sphere of munitions ho “ could see the end of this business.” MILITARY AUTHORITIES REPRESENTATIVE MEETING AT SINGAPORE TOKIO, May 11. (Received May 12, at 1 p.m.) The Domci Agency quotes the American Ambassador, Mr Gauss, who arrived at Kobe on route to Chungking, as saying that military authorities from Australia, the Philippines, tlie Netherlands East Indies. Burma, and Chungking would meet shortly at Singapore.