MOLOTOV BREADBASKETS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 31 December 1940, Page 5

MOLOTOV BREADBASKETS

DOZENS FALL IN HALF HOUR ROOF WATCHERS PROVE WORTH (Received 31st December, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, 30th December. R.A.F. fighters last night battled with German planes which subjected one area of London to an intense attack and one of the greatest fire-raising raids since the outbreak of war.

Serious damage in this area was caused by a number of fires. Some burned for hours after the raiders-pass-eti signal had sounded.

Churches, hospitals and commercial premises were targets for the Luftwaffe which left part of London overhung with great palls of smoke as building after building went up in flames.

An army of firemen, wardens, workers and civilian volunteers battled with a thousand incendiaries showered on the district, but as fast as they overcame one batch the air was filled with the swish and crackle of more Molotov breadbaskets, dozens of which were dropped in about half an hour. The fighters appeared to have saved at least one area from many explosives of which remarkably few were dropped. London roof watchers proved their worth as never before. Buildings in this district which had spotters and their own A.R.P. personnel, Were soon fre from incendiaries without damage. The spotters also did valuable work directing firemen to firebombs on roofs hdiden from the streets. Regular and auxiliary firemen braved the intense heat and falling walls. Many had miraculous escapes. Others died at their job. Some were killed and injured when buildings collapsed.