BIGGEST NIGHT RAID

Grey River Argus, 5 August 1940, Page 5

BIGGEST NIGHT RAID

SINCE WAR BEGAN Over Many Parts of Britain I Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received August 4, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 3. On Friday night German raiders were over England in the most widespread attack they have made to date. The 8.8. C. went off the air "in the interests of the national security” for half an hour.

The skies over the south-east English coastal areas blazed with gunflashes, shell-bursts and searchlights) Fighter planes made a terrific dash to sea . (They engaged raiders, after which the sound of fleeing enemy engines quickly faded. A raid on one south-east town of England lasted for over an hour. It was Friday night’s third attack, two formations of bombers, flying at a great height, having turned tail from fierce fighter opposition before crossing the coast. Wales last night shook to the most violent anti-aircraft firing felt during the war, when German raiders released bombs over many towns, ano penetrated far inland. Bombs which fell in a north-east of England town shook the seafront buildings.

The enemy also raided the southwest coast district, a Midland town, and a north-west of England town. Raiders also dropped incendiary bombs on a north-east Scottish coastal town, and large high explosive bombs in a nearby village. The defences accorded the raiders a hot reception. Bombs fell in open country in the south-east and the south-west of Scotland. FOUR AREAS BOMBED, ON FRIDAY NIGHT. (Received August 4, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 3. The Air Ministry reports: During Friday night, enemy aircraft bombed the north-east of Scotland, the Midlands, south-east England, and the Bristol Channel area. Some damage vas caused in the latter area. There v, ore a few minor casualties. Saturday Night Raids NOT SO WIDESPREAD. r Aust. ft N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Received August 4, 11.38 p.m.) LONDON, August 4. The enemy air activity on Saturday night was mainly confined to the Thames Estuary and the Scottish east coast. Bombs were dropped at a number of points in these areas and also in Wales. No damage and no casualties have been reported. BERLIN REPORT. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l BERLIN. August 2. A communique stated: — Bombers effectively an aeroplane factory at Norwich. Heavy calibre bombs caused fierce fires and several explosions in the workshops. A German plane destroyed an enemy submarine on July 31 in Norwegian waters. Yesterday afternoon, eight Blenheims attacks Querqueville airport near Cherbourg. We "shot down all eight planes. There were no'German losses.

Two Blenheims were shot down during a raid on Dutch territory. British planes last night again

raided western Germany. There was no military damage, but house property was severely damaged near Cologne. Several civilians were killed and wounded. The enemy lost ten planes yesterday. One of ours is missing. WELSH TOWN ATTACKED. LONDON, August 2. A dozen bombs were dropped in a Welsh coastal town, with very slignt [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, August 2. An Admiralty communique states: One of our convoys in the North Sea was repeatedly attacked by German aircraft, yesterday afternoon. No damage was done to any of the ships m the convoy. One of the escorting vessels, H.M.S. Weston, shot down, one enemy aircraft. There were no casualties in H.M.S. Weston. In another part of the North Sea. l)'e steamer Highlander was twice attacked by enemy aircraft, last m galla the first attack, the enemy aircraft dropped bombs, which missed, then raked the ship with machinegun fire. While doing so, a German aircraft was hit by the defensive armament of the Highlander, and was seen to crash into the sea m flames. 100 yards astern of the ship. Ten minutes later, the Highlander was again attacked by another German aircraft but the bombs again missed. As the aircraft circ.ed to renew the attack, it was h.t, eausiibt. it to lose height. The aircraft’s port wing struck the Highlanders plirt lifeboat at the davits. -pbis sivung the machine round, and it clashed on the poop of the Highlander, which this morning steamed into harbour with the wreckage of the aircraft on the poop. The HighLmder’s only casualties were two wounded. SUPPLY SHIP SUNK. [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, August 2 The Admiralty communique states: During operations over the Norwegian coast yesterday, Skua ahciait successfully bombed a wireless station and attacked an emey supply sn.p of about four thousand tons. When last seen this ship was listing heavily, being abandoned by the crew. Our aircraft returned safety. GERMAN REPORT. BERLIN, August 2., A communique ' states: German fighters attacked a few small convoys yesterday, and also several armed enemy merchantmen off the Humber estuary and Yarmouth, sinking one ( merchantman, and damaging two merchantmen, a tanker and a minesweeper. GOEBBELS’ LIES! ' [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, August 2. There seems to have been a hitch in flip liaison between the German High Command and Dr. Goebbels’ Propaganda Ministry. The latter is alleging that all the British east coast ports ore closed to shipping, but a High Command communique to-day gives ()-,-■ lie to this absurd allegation, by describing attacks on British merchant shipping off the Humber Adolfs Leaflets SOLD FOR RED CROSS. LONDON, August 2. Leaflets dropped from German planes were apparently enclosed in large brown paper parcels, which opened some distance from the ground. They bore a complete English translation of Hitler's Reichst,.g speech on July 19, under the heading “Last Appeal to Reason,” by Adolph Hitler. Police and A.R.P. workers, using torches, scoured the district and picked up as many as possible. One warden who collected copies said: “I am taking these to a factory. I hope to sell them for a shilling each, and give the money to the Red Cross.' Leaflets were also showered in Welsh areas, falling in streams, fields and reads.