Intense A-A Fire Again Protects Centre London

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1940, Page 7

Intense A-A Fire Again Protects Centre London

(Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 33. ONCE AGAIN LAST NIGHT (FRIDAY) LONDONERS HEARD THE CRESCENDO OF ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS, AS NAZI RAIDERS ATTEMPTED TO RAID CENTRAL LONDON.

'Success of the new defence tactics was again demonstrated by the very few thuds, which signalled the falling of bombs. Earlier, raiders attempted to raid London by daylight. During an hour’s raid from 7.30 in the morning, enemy machines were heard over Central London, Hying at a great height. Anti-aircraft batteries in- the south-west opened fire immediately.

Two enemy machines were shot down and some of the airmen haled out by parachute. The second alarm was sounded about 9.30. Terrific hursts of anti-aircraft fire have been heard. More bombs have been dropped than in daylight before. Tn the city a loud explosion was heard soon after the warning was given.

Owing to the shell fragments from the barrage, the passengers of one train at a suburban station were ordered out of the train.

Longest Daylight Raid The raid, which lasted four hours, was the longest London has had in daylight. The aircraft were hidden by low clouds, and it was only possible to follow their progress by the sound of engines. In some districts, enemy aircraft could be seen through gaps in the clouds. In some parts the whistle of bombs could be heard, followed by loud explosions. Some explosions were heard in the city. Several incendiary bombs fell in West London. Most of them fell on roadways and were dealt with before damage could be done. Bombs were dropped over a much wider area than previously. German raiders came over London on Thursday night for the sixth night in succession, but they treated the new anti-aircraft barrage with the greatest respect. The raid was even less effective than on the previous night. Londoners had more sleep than they have had for a week. Fierce A.-A. Fire in Spasms There were spasms of fierce antiaircraft fire during the night, with long lulls in between. Whenever enemy aircraft were heard, /the ground fire was, if anything, heavier than ever. But some of the defences had plenty in reserve.. Raiders made only a few quick dashes across the city. Windows in every part of the city rattled with gunfire. Few bombs were dropped. With the evening alarm, a heavy ban-age immediately began from antiaircraft guns, while a few serchlights could be seen. There was almost a complete lull after 3 p.m., with occasional activity on the outskirts of the city. Raiders dropped a number of incendiary bombs in the north-west suburbs, and their planes droned towards Central London, where the gunfire rose to a shattering roar, rattling windows and spraying shrapnel over the rooftops and the streets. Berlin Claim Refuted Then followed a long interval of silence, suggesting that fewer aeroplanes were taking part, or that the barrage prevented the penetration of the outer defences. There is no foundation for a Berlin claim that a bomb hit Reuter’s building in Fleet Street in which the Australian and New Zealand Press Association offices are situated.

The building was, in fact, not touched.

“Enemy air attacks during last night were not on a heavy scale and were directed to many ai-eas in the British Isles,” states this morning’s Air Ministry communique. “Enemy aircraft operated singly or in formations, and there have been some heavy engagements. Fires Quickly Controlled

“Although high explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped in London and fires started, they were quickly brought under control and the damage was very much less than on the previous nights.

“Full details of casualties are ‘ not yet available, but reports so far received indicate that the number of persons killed or injured in the London area is very small.” It is officially stated that 125 persons were killed and about 250 injured in Wednesday afternoon’s raid on London, and 40 were killed and about 170 injured in Wednesday night’s raid.

Bombs Over Northern Ireland.

The Ministry of Public Security at Belfast has issued a statement that single aircraft made an unsuccessful attack on shipping off the coast of Northern Ireland. Subsequently a small number of incendiary bombs were dropped on a coastal town. A few fires were caused, but were soon under control.

The damage was slight, and there were no casualties. This is the first time bombs are known to have been dropped over Northern Ireland. Casualties Not Heavy.

In the London area, a number of persons were killed and injured in last night’s attacks, which were not heavy. Fuller reports of the previous night's casualties show that 110 persons were killed and 260 injured. At midday today, in addition to attacks on London, enemy aircraft in small numbers dropped bombs on several districts in the south-east of England. In a town in Essex, considerable damage was done, -but no casualties were reported. In several other places, houses and cottages were hit, but the general damage and casualties reported are slight. Hit and Run Tactics. Later, enemy aircraft, continuing its method of sudden attacks and retreat, which, characterised its activities throughout the day, dropped bombs on one district in central London, in East-

bourne, in some places in Kent, and in one town in Surrey. Some casualties resulted in London. In Eastbourne there were also some casualties, most of them slight. Further details of these later attacks are not yet available

One enemy bomber was shot down by fighters this morning. Third Warning.

An air-raid warning was sounded for the third time today in the midafternoon. It lasted only a few minutes.

An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique, issued after the second raid, in which the warning continued for four hours, says: “Following last night's ineffective attacks, in which bombs were dropped on London at random through heavy clouds, a small number of enemy aircraft today deliberately bombed a number of conspicuous buildings in various parts of London, irrespective of their nature. It is feared that the enemy succeded in killing and injuring a number of civilians.

“Incendiary bombs also fell in Downing Street, but did no damage.”