ACTIVITY REDUCED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20385, 23 October 1940, Page 7

ACTIVITY REDUCED

NAZI, AIR RAIDERS VARIETY OF TARGETS LONDON'S QUILT NIGHT ATTACKS ON MIDLANDS SOME DAMAGE REPORTED (Klee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 23, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 22. Enemy air attacks on Britain were continued at dusk last night. They were principally directed against the Midlands, London and the Merseyside. Most of the attacks ended by the early hours of the morning, although some intermittent activity continued for some time. For the first time for weeks many Londoners did not hear a bomb las*, night. They were prepared for the worst in view of Berlin’s nightmare the previous night, but enemy activity appeared to be even less than in the preceding daylight hours. Many raiders which were driven oft from the capital bombed the Midlands, and Merseyside. The damage at Liverpool was fairly slight in comparison with the weight of bombs dropped. It was the district's two hundredth raid. Some houses and shops were demolished, the casualties including a number of persons killed when a bomb exploded among a crowd which was leaving a cinema. Buildings Set on Fire One Midlands town suffered the worst raid for the third night in succession. A cinema, a hotel, an institution, three schools, and several shops were set on fire. An official communique states that in the Midlands the main attack was concentrated on one town where damage was done to dwellings and commercial buildings. Fires broke out but were quickly brought under control by the splendid work of the fire services. A number of people were killed or injured. In the London area, damage was done to houses, business and industrial premises. Some persons were killed or injured. In Merseyside towns, damage was caused mainly to houses. Fires resulted from the attack but these were soon put out or brought under control. There were some casualties, including a few persons killed. In a town in the north-east, a large number A of dwellings were damaged and some people were injured. In other towns in country districts in the south-east of England, the Midlands, and south Wales, bombs did a small amount of damage. Casualties in these areas were slight, though a few persons were killed. Main Midlands Objective Agency messages say that for the third successive night the Midlands town indicated in the communique was the main objective of aircraft raiding this area. Incendiary and.explosive bombs were dropped in various parts of the town, the majority of the damage being caused by incendiaries. In a building which was demolished three people were killed and six others were trapped. Incendiary bombs fell in another town and bombs are reported over an area of three counties. The all-clear was sounded in London some hours before dawn. It was one of London’s quietest nights since the blitz began. Early last night four bombs fell in one street in the London area where the defences were most active, appearing to hold off a majority of the raiders. High explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped in Liverpool and other Merseyside towns. An empty stationary tramcar was blown to pieces. Incendiary bombs were also showered on three Midland counties.

The enemy engaged in sneak raids on south-east coast towns this morning. One dived out of the clouds and after dropping 30 bombs, streaked for France. There were some casualties, but only one was fatal. Small Scale During Day

A later communique states that enemy attacks on Britain to-day had been on a very small scale. A few sporadic raids were made this morning by single planes in several towns on the south-east coast and some damage was done. Houses were demolished in tv/o towns and a few people were killed or injured. An enemy force this afternoon crossed the coast near Dungeness but was was promptly intercepted by strong forces of our fighters and was unable to penetrate to London. The indications are that very little damage was done'in this attack though a few bombs were dropped in a south-east town. In daylight raids yesterday two bombs demolished a row of seven, cottages in a harrow suburban street, but there were no casualties. Eight persons were admitted to hospital in a south-east coast town on \ which 12 bombs were dropped. One landed on an orphanage. Two sisters were buried under the debris and seriously injured. Middle Temple Damaged Prowling planes selected a busy market place in the centre of the Dover area for a hail of bombs. Fish, vegetables and foodstuffs were hurled in confused heaps among the debris from which rescue squads dragged many women shoppers. Only seven were slightly hurt. A stall was rigged up and the undamaged goods were selling within an hour. The Middle Temple Hall was considerably damaged in a recent raid High explosives fell near the hall and a large hole was blown in a wall Falling debris damaged the wonderfu 1 wood carving in the interior of the hall. Many suites of offices were seriously damaged and the side of thr clock tower was ripped out. A bomb tore through the ceiling of the Inner Temple. Holland House, a famous mansion in Kensington, was seriously damaged in a recent aid raid. The treasures had previously been removed, but valuable books were destroyed. It is revealed that over 1000 incendiary bombs were dropped in one London district recently.