RAIDS OVER BRITAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 November 1940, Page 7

RAIDS OVER BRITAIN

200 ’PLANES EMPLOYED ,NO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Received November 29, 11 a.m.) LONDON, November 28. It is reliably estimated that 200 raiders operated against England, last night, without causing extensive damage. • A single raider, this morning, dropped a dozen explosive bombs on a south-eastern town, then showers of incendiary bombs. The latter burnt themselves out, causing slight damage. Eight explosive bombs nearby straddled three roads on a housing estate. A few houses were damaged, but there were no casualties. • \ Bombs fell on another town, after Hurricane fighters drove off two Messerschmitts, which unloaded their bombs in order to escape attack. A maternity home was damaged, and many windows were blown out over a large area. Anti-aircraft guns were in action, and fighters went up, when several enemy formations crossed the southeast coast, this morning. Some of the raiders turned back. Several small formations of raiders again crossed the coast, this afternoon. A number turned back, after being engaged by fire from the ground. A Spitfire shot down a German fighter-bomber in flames, on the Isle of Wight, this afternoon. The crew baled out.

Six children and four adults were killed in a village in a south-west town, which was raided last night.

FIRST LOSS FOR WEEK. LONDON, November 28. The two British aeroplanes shot down to-day were the first fighters lost for six days, in which the Royal Air Force destroyed 35 enemy aircraft. One British aeroplane crashed when the pilot was returning from a successful encounter over the Channel. He met a number of Messerschmitts, one of which winged the British aeroplane, forcing the pilot to bale out. A Dornier, which was not officially claimed as destroyed, engaged Hurricanes, which shot away the tail, causing the German aeroplane to plunge through the clouds. It probably fell into the sea. The raiders which succeeded in crossing the coast penetrated only a few miles inland, their formations being broken up by Spitfires. When one German machine was shot down the others were soon on their way back across the Channel.

FIVE AGAINST SIX. RUGBY, November 28. ‘ An Air Ministry and Home Security communique states: No one has been killed or seriously injured in 'daylight raids, to-day. Enemy fighters and fighter-bombers were flown at. a great height over Kent and the Thames Estuary on several occasions during the day, but very few bombs were dropped. Several houses were damaged at one town in Kent. Five enemy fighters have been shot down, and six of oui* fighters have been lost. CAT. SAVES OWNERS. LONDON, November 27. Two Italian planes were shot down over London. Last night, a cat’s persistence m scratching the debris in a bombed London area, led to a search resulting in the discovery of a buried family, of which the man was dead. The wife and child were sent to hospital. There was a similar incident in a provincial town, when a bomb threw debris over a shelter, a woman’s dog scratched the opening, and pulled its mistress to safety.

TWO HOTELS BOMBED. RUGBY, November 28. It can now be stated that the Savoy and Carlton Hotels were among the London buildings damaged in recent air-raids. Two bombs struck the Savoy Hotel, damaging front and back rooms. A few guests and members of the staff were injured. The Carlton Hotel was more seriously damaged, resulting in the temporary closing of the residential portion. A bomb pierced the roof, and the lights went out. Guests in pyjamas helped to carry injured people to ambulances. The Town Hall at Leicester also suffered damage, and the Convent of the Sacred Heart at Roehampton, near London, must be added to the Jong list Of religious and educational premises bombed. PLYMOUTH ATTACKED. ' (Received November 29, 11 a.m.) LONDON, November 28. The Berlin radio stated that the chief target in England last night was Plymouth. One hundred tons of bombs were dropped in the harbour, -resulting in great havoc and a number of fires. (Recd. Nov. 29, 11.20 a.m.). LONDON, November 28. A German communique claims: Bombs were dropped at London, Avonmouth, and various aerodromes, despite bad weather. BIRMINGHAM .DAMAGE. (Recd. Nov. 29, 11.20 a.m.). STOCKHOLM, November 28. t The “Dagenbladet’s” London correspondent, writing after a tour of the raided areas, says that Birmingham is no Coventry, and that all the damage can; easily be repaired.

SHELTER FESTIVITIES LONDON, November 27. The “Daily Telegraph” says the Government is sponsoring Christmas treats in public air raid, shelters. Christmas fare will be prepared in .communal kitchens and taken to the shelters in mobile vans. Carols, community singing, and games are being organised in - all shelters, most of which will have Christmas trees and decorations. Children wilb receive toys, sweets, and crackers. Members of the Entertainments National Service Association are arranging for parties to tour shelters. The London Transport Board will assist with the decorations. Miss Ellen Wilkinson, M.P., is chiefly res-

ppnsible for the organisation of the festivities. . , ■ Mr. H. Morrison has announced that the Government is preparing for tunnel extensions from the tubes for use as air raid shelters.