QUIET NIGHT IN BRITAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 25 October 1940, Page 5

QUIET NIGHT IN BRITAIN

LOWEST CASUALTIES FOR WEEKS SOME DAMAGE IN DAYLIGHT [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] (Received 25th October. 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, 24th October. Inquiries by the Australian Associated Press throughout Britain reveal that air raid casualties have shown a substantial drop. They were probably the lowest last night since the blitzkrieg began. German air attacks on Britain last night were again on a smaller scale. Raids were made on London, the home counties, a town in north-east England and another in Scotland. London had one of its quietest nights for some weeks. Little damage was done and casualties were few.

After two daylight alerts yesterday, London’s night warning came half an hour earlier than usual, after which there was one of the quietest periods since the beginning of the blitzkreig. Flashes on the outskirts of the city he ded the approach of bombers, after which a raider, using gliding tactics, penetrated outer defences but swerved out after receiving a hot reception. Raiders were fewer than usual, possibly as a result of bad weather in northern France.

After a quiet period a bomber glided in and dropped two bombs in one area. A mother and her two children and another woman and a child were killed when two bombs fell in a roadway in a south-east coast town this afternoon.

London’s night raid ended in the early morning, after an unusually prolonged quiet. Night raiders were also over Liverpool and south-west Scotland. BOMBERS FLY SINGLY An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique states: “A few enemy aircraft operating singly crossed the coasts to-day. Bombs have been reported in the London area. Kent, Hampshire and a country district in Somerset. Though fuil reports have not yet been received it is known that some damage to dwelling houses and industrial buildings in the London area and a small number of people was injured. At one town in Hampshire considerable damage was done to dwelling houses, but casualties were slight. Elsewhere only slight damage was done and there were few casualties. One enemy bomber was destroyed last night.” Two enemy bombers were shot down to-day by our fighters without loss to themselves. LARGE FORMATION A large formation of enemy planes crossed the south-east coast this afternoon above the clouds. Three heavy explosions were heard in rural areas later. Five persons were killed when an explosion whecked a cottage in the Home Counties. A baby was found alive on top of the debris. A bomb damaged another London church last night, blew out valuable windows, and practically demolished the vestry. Later reports confirm that the London area and Home Counties were slightly damaged in night raids. Casualties were small. High explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped in 10 districts in Scotland early in the morning. Damage was slight and casualties few.

The Air Ministry announced that a Dornier 17 was shot down by a Spitfire or. patrol over the English Channel this morning.

In an effort to speed up and improve London’s transport facilities, more than 2000 provincial buses are being pressed into service. The first have been in the streets to-night. They present a strange assortment of colours and sizes, many having come from as far afield as Scotland and Cornwall. Lon-, don Transport Board drivers and conductors are manning the vehicles till the newcomers are conversant with the routes.

In co-operation with the Ministry of Food, the London Transport Board has undertaken to provide food for tube shelterers to a total of 200,000 a night. Professional caterers are being engaged.