TWENTY-EIGHT DOWN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 265, 8 October 1940, Page 8

TWENTY-EIGHT DOWN

NAZIS’ BAD DAY. / ATTACKS BROKEN UP. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 12 nqon.) RUGBY, Oct. 7, A strong German air attack was made on Britain to-day, and repeated efforts to reach the Metropolis were beaten back by the R.A-F. An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique states that considerable numbers of enemy aircraft attacked Britain during today. Five attacks were attempted on London, totalling in all some 460 enemy aircraft. Large torcds of our fighters engaged the enemy formations, which were broken up and dispersed. In only two or these attacks did any enemy aircraft succeed in penetrating the London area, and very few bombs were dropped. Reports received up to 5 p.m. show that, while several houses were demolished in South and East London, the casualties are not likely to be heavy, though they include some fatal injuries. During these attacks minor damage was also done at Eastbourne, Dover, and certain other towns in Kent, but few casualties are reported. Two attacks were also made on South-West England in the afternoon. According to the latest information 28 enemy aircraft were shot down. Fourteen British aircraft were lost, but six nilots are safe. Mr Malcolm MacDonald has announced a new large-scale evacuation scheme for the whole of the _ London area whereby mothers with children of school age or under from any part of the London County Council area or the cqunty boroughs of East Ham and AVest Ham can be taken free to the reception area two days after registration. R.A.F. HIT HARD.

In a series of. daylight raids beginning soon alter dawn on Sunday and continuing until late this afternoon, our bombers attacked coastal objectives and enemy shipping over an extending from Harlingen, in the north, to Boulogne, in the south-west, lhe weather conditions were consistently bad, with low cloud and lieavy ram restricting visibilityOne early morning raider approaching Calais under the cover of clouds attacked a concentration of barges lying in one of t'he main basins, two heavy-calibre bombs aimed from a lojv level exploded among a group of SO barges. Another bomb hit a jetty and a fourth struck a large warehouse beside the Carnot Basin. Almost immediately after this attack the bomber was itself engaged by » formation of twelve Messerschmitt 109 fighters. The British rear-gunner, in the ensuing running fight, shot one of the Messerschmitfs down in flames and held off the rest of t'he formation until the bomber gained cover in the clouds. , t, i Barges and shipping at Boulogne, and 'Ostend were also attacked. - One raider, crossing over l an “’ bombed the aerodrome at Diepholz, 40 miles south-west of Bremen. Two bignexplosive bombs were seen to bur on the tarmac immediately in iron of the line of hangars. Other aircraft, ranging over the Dutch coast, bombed a number of supply ships lying alongside the quay at Uorlisten and barges in the River Maas, and attacked khippmg in the Auider Zee and the ports of Btavoren and Enkhuizen, scoring hits on the west quay and north of the harbour. Here a number of small ships were hit and fires started. , Supply ships in the Dutch harbour oft Den Helder, the terminus of the great North Holland Canal, were attacked in the afternoon in the face of heavy anti-aircraft lire, hour bombs struck the harbour works, causing a violent explosion and a cloud of red sparks. One 800-ton ship makmg towards the h&rbpui was also from a low level m a shallow div attack. A direct hit was scoied o thp stern of the ship, which was left enveloped in a cloud of steam and smoke. It had disappeared when the aircraft returned to the scene a few minutes later.

BALLOONS ADRIFT. STOCKHOLM, Oct, 6. A Channel gale drove a new batch of British barrage balloons over Sweden. Planes shot down some and others were anchored, but not before electric lines were damaged at several places and train services were ruptedTWO PILOTS KILLED. Per Preen Association. WELLINGTON. Oct. 7. The following Ajr Force casualties are announced: Flying-Officer Willis Stewart Brown, killed in an aircraft accident. Father: Mr D. C. Brown, 170 Hastings Street, Waltham, Christchurch, Pilot-Officer Michael Joseph Berry, killed in an aircraft accident. Father: Mr Thomas Berry, 340 St. Asaph Street, Christchurch.