First Serious Nazi Air Raid On England

Northern Advocate, 7 June 1940, Page 5

First Serious Nazi Air Raid On England

(Received 9.30 p.m.) LONDON. June G. Described in some quarters as Germany’s first serious attempt at an air raid on England, an air attack last night, brought numerous towns and villages on the East and South Coasts within the battlefront area. The raiders apparently flew at enormous heights and a considerable number of small high explosive bombs fell in Norfolk, killing a horse, bur most districts report that the only bombs dropped were incendiary ones. They fell in fields among growing crops and illuminated small areas, apparently being intended to reveal the nature of the territory. The damage was only slight. After ’Dromes? The Air Ministry announces that enemy aeroplanes during the night dropped incendiary bombs in rural districts in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk, and over the Thames Estuary. They were apparently attempting to locate and attack Royal Air Force aerodromes. No damage has been reported, except in the case of a house in Lincolnshire which v/as set on fire. Six Slightly Hurt. High explosive bombs were also used in two attacks, but there was no serious damage. Six persons suffered minor injuries. Another air-raid warning was sounded over the East Coast of England early today. Fighters went up, and anti-aircraft guns were brought into action. One raider is reported to have been brought down after it had dropped bombs on a village green. Little damage was caused and there were no casualties. Narrow Escape. An enemy plane dropped incendiary bombs in Kent early this morning, says a later message. One fell in a bedroom in which a mother and her baby and also a sonaged 13, were sleeping. The occupants escaped by jumping over the flaming bomb. Firemen extinguished this and other fires. Raids in France. Seven enemy planes were shot down in the Normandy region during several air raid alarms last night. Three further planes were brought down in the central region. A number were injured as a result of the raids in Central France and several houses were wrecked. There was violent anti-aircraft action. Subsequent information showed that most of the bombs dropped in Essex landed close to a boys’ school, but the chief damage was to spoil growing crops in nearby fields.