Raiders Over Central London

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 228, 26 September 1940, Page 7

Raiders Over Central London

Heavy Damage by Aerial Torpedo R.A.F. AGAIN PEPPER INVASION BASES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 7.35 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 25. Bombers concentrated on Central London early to-day. A number of people were killed or injured when what is believed to have been an aorial torpedo landed outside a restaurant demolishing the hotel opposite and also shattering a number of buildings in the neighbourhood. Tho terrific blast was felt 490 yards away.

The raiders later dropped incendiaries on or near a famous Sir Christopher Wren church, then guided by the light dropped several high-explosive bombs.

Sixteen incendiaries fell on a North London hospital without causing casualties. Several fires were quickly put out and little damage was done.

Tho raiders bombed Welsh towns over a wide area.

Dense mists shrouded the Straits of Dover to-night. The sea was calm and there was a cloudless sky and a light north-westerly wind.

The searchlights operated in full force to-night when the raiders arrived over Central London. The guns fired heavily against a single raider. Another raider dropped an orange flare after which a high explosive bomb crashed with a terrific roar in Central London. Bombs fell early in north, south-east and south-west London.

The R.A.F. to-night again attacked French and Belgian invasion ports.

The banks have decided to remain open during air raids. An Air Ministry communique says:

“The enemy renewed his air attack last night. The London area was again tho main objective, but bombs dropped in other parts of England, Scotland and Wales started fires, the majority of which were soon under control.

“Bombs damaged many buildings and several hospitals wero again hit. The casualties are not yet known, but some were fatal. Thero were few casualties elsewhere.

“In South-east England and also North Wales there were fires, some damage and fatalities. A similar report came from North-west England and East Scotland, where thero was no material damage. The casualties arc not known.”