LONDON SUBURBS BOMBED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 17 August 1940, Page 7

LONDON SUBURBS BOMBED

Damage To Shops And Houses ATTACK BY LARGE ENEMY FORCE

R.A.F FIGHTERS CONTINUE TO TAKE HEAVY TOLL OF RAIDERS (Press Association and British Official Wireless) (Received 17th August, I 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, 16th August. Enemy air activity to-day was on a small scale until midday when a large force of bombers and fighters approached the south-east coast, states an Air Ministry communique. Some of these came inland, but were engaged by our fighters and turned back before reaching the outskirts of London. The remainder re-entered the Thames Estuary, dropping bombs at several points on either side of the Estuary. At Tilbury and Northfleet some damage was done and a number of people were injured, some being killed. These aircraft were also heavily engaged by anti-aircraft guns and fighters. A number of them passed round the south-east side of London, but no bombs were dropped in this area. In the early afternoon an attack was made on several points on the south coast. Bombs were dropped on the Isle of Wight, causing little damage and an R.A.F. aerodrome was attacked. Later a large force of enemy aircraft again entered the Thames Estuary, some dropping bombs in the south-western suburbs of London. A station was hit and shops and houses damaged. Reports so far indicate that a small number of people was injured, some fatally. During the evening enemy attacks were renewed at a number of points, on which reports are not yet available. British fighters have been constantly in action during the day and it can be stated that more than 50 enemy aircraft have been destroyed. Twelve of our fighters are reported to have been lost but the pilots of eight of these are safe. A Berlin message states that authoritative sources announced that a mighty fleet of bombers was flying in the direction of London across the Channel at 6.30 p.m. London time, heading for military objectives on the outskirts of London. They were not expected to bomb the centre of the city. It was earlier stated in Berlin that bad weather over the Channel had restricted German air activity, though the weather was expected to improve before nightfall.