Terrific Blitz Against London

Northern Advocate, 30 December 1940, Page 5

Terrific Blitz Against London

(Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 29

Immediately after dark tonight, the Germans launched a most terrific onslaught against London. Thousands of incendiary bombs rained over all parts of the capital and dozens of fires were started, illuminating the streets.

Hundreds of high-explosive bombs were dropped. The “blitz” reached tremendous proportions, continuing until 8.15 p.m.

A Quiet Night,

A number of fires were started and some damage caused, but the fires were soon extinguished. The damage was. not expensive and there were very few casualties. Saturday Raid. The main air raid on England on Saturday night was made against a town in the south-west of England. The attack lasted for over an hour and was a fairly sharp one, but fires were soon put under control, while the damage was slight and very few casualties were caused. The air raid sirens sounded in London soon after dark on Friday night after a lapse of 89 hours 18 minutes, the longest spell the capital has had since the concentrated air attacks began. A continuous stream of raiders was reported to be passing over the southeast coast. Worst Raid Features.

The all clear was sounded in about four hours after the worst raid the capital has had since December 8. Scores of high explosive bombs were scattered over a wide area, with all the features of the worst raids. In spite of the bursting bombs and the heavy barrage Londoners carried on as usual. Buses and trains ran without interruption and the main thoroughfares were never completely deserted. Trapped in Shelter. - A number of persons were trapped in the underground shelter of a large block of London workers’ fiats last evenihg. Eleven were rescued after two hours. A middle-aged invalid woman is believed still to be under tons of debris. Her husband was killed and her daughter has been sent to hospital. Most of those rescued were injured.

A woman in an adjoining shelter said: “We could hear screams for help, but although only a single Wall divided us, we were powerless. Some of the men tried to hack a way. Danger of Collapse. “They were using picks when air raid precaution workers advised them to cease because of the danger of collapse of both shelters. “We were unable to leave our shelter until the debris was dug from the entrance.” A London parish church, according to Press reports, was gutted as a result of being hit by a number of incendiary bombs, says a British Official Wireless message. Hotel, Homes Wrecked. In an adjacent thoroughfare a heavy bomb destroyed an hotel and a num-* ber of houses nearby were wrecked. A few bombs were also dropped in East Anglia and south-east England and at one point on the south coast. A number of people were killed and others injured. There were several fires, but all were quickly and effectively dealt with. Civic Funeral at Manchester. Southampton was visited by German bombers on Saturday, according to a communique, which states: “There was very little enemy activity over Britain today, but bombs were dropped by enemy aircraft over Southampton this afternoon, causing little damage and few casualties.” Manchester accorded a civic funeral to the 72 victims of the recent air raid. The Bishop of Manchester (Dr. G. Warman), and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford (Dr. H. V. Marshall), conducted the services. The coffins were draped with Union Jacks, and buglers sounded the “Last Post.” Town’s 240th Attack. A raid on a south-western town last night was the town’s 240th attack.. It rendered hundreds homeless. Over 20 fires were raging simultaneously, but all were controlled. Nine bodies were recovered from the debris of two houses. : n' All the shops, totalling CO, in one street were damaged by fire or blast. A-crowded bus was hit by an incendiary bomb, but the passengers scrambled out before the bul became a huge blaze. The incendiary bombs were scattered, over such a wide area that cottages were set on fire some miles from the town. The Latest Report. This evening’s Air Ministry and Ministry for Home Security communique states:

“There has been some slight enemy activity over this country during daylight today (Sunday). “Bombs were dropped on the Suf- ' folk coast this morning, and on two towns cn the Kent coast in the afternoon. \ /; “Some houses were damaged, but no casualties are reported. • “Bombs were also dropped at a > place in the north-west of England. “A small number of people were killed and others injured.” - / L, : ’ :