GERMAN AIR RAID

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1939, Page 5

GERMAN AIR RAID

ON ENGLISH COAST

REPULSED; NO DAMAGE,

(United Press Association —By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 9 a.m.) LONDON, September 6

It is officially announced that enemy aircraft were reported dear the East Coast of England early this morning, but did not penetrate the British defence. No damage is reported. The Ministry of Information later stated that anti-aircraft units and fighters repulsed enemy bombers. One British machine crashed, and another was forced down. The pilot of the first was wounded in the head. The pilot of the second commandeered a car, drove to an airport, and reascended and re-engaged the enemy. A dog-fight between British and British and Gernian planes was reported between Rochester and ’Chatham.

Twenty raiders going toward London were intercepted by gunfire . and Spitfire machines. It is believed at lefist one German was brought down.

’ The alarm was sounded in London tat 6.42 a.m. until 9.02 a.m. No planes Were seen and no gunfire was heard. There was no sign of panic. People remained in the cellars for the first half-ho'ifrfilter which they emerged and. went to their offices. Transport was stopped (arid people' journeyed to the j city on foot, carrying “lunch boxes,” as gas-masks are nicknamed.

Gunfire and earth shocks were reported from East and West London. It- is unofficially stated that German planes were seen and driven off at Chatham. Gunfire was heard and a shell-burst was seen south-east of Ilford. '

V An earlier unconfirmed report stated the sound of gunfire was audible along the Thames, suggesting an action in the vicinity of the Estuary. Gunfire on tlje eastern horizon' was visible from London rooftops last riigllt. . , ~