LESS ACTIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23767, 21 September 1940, Page 11

LESS ACTIVE

ENEMY RAIDERS LONDON TARGETS DEFENCE STILL HOLDS DAT AND NIGHT ATTACKS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September QO, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. QO Strong forces of enemy bombers and fighters crossed the Kentish coast this morning and headed toward London. So far there has been no sign of the raiders in the centre of the city. Enemy air activity over Britain during Thursday night was on a smaller scale and less effective than of late, states an official communique issued this morning. "The attacks wore again directed mainly against London and its suburbs," the communique continues. "An escape hatch of a shelter in North London was struck by a bomb, and some of those taking refuge were killed or injured. "In other parts of the capital houses and industrial buildings were hit, and in the East End there was damage by high-explosive bombs, and a factory was set on fire. In this district there were a number of casualties, some fatal. Other Districts Bombed "In other parts of the country, bombs fell in Lancashire, Essex, Surrey, Berkshire, Kent and in the Midlands and South Wales. Incendiary bombs were dropped and set fire to a hospital in Essex. Small fires were also started by the same means in the Surrey woods. Two cottages in a Berkshire village were struck by bombs and a few people were killed or injured. It is known that one enemy bomber was shot down in Surrey by anti-aircraft fire during the night."i The raiders met a blaze of searchlights over Kent and the Thames Estuary but, flying above the clouds, they proceeded north, attempting to come in to the city by a new path over the north-west suburbs. Fighters and Guns Clouds baffled the searchlights, which suddenly went off as fighters roared up and attempted to seek out the raiders and divert them from their targets. Some of the raiders, nevertheless, penetrated to the central area, where the anti-aircraft barrage was as heavy as ever.

The raiders made dive-bombing and gliding attacks from low heights, stirring the anti-aircraft batteries to a new frenzy.

The Air Ministry announced that there was no large scale action during the day. Two raiders bombed the east of London and some damage and casualties were caused. Fighters engaged both and shot down one. Five Bombers Destroyed

in spite of bad visibility British fighters successfully intercepted a large portion of the raiders and shot down a total of five bombers.

A single German raider bombed a London area during the afternoon and did considerable damage. South-east England was also bombed but, apart from isolated attacks which caused several casualties, German activity over England was exceptionally slight. The library of the Inner Temple, the Public Record Office, the British Museum courtyard, the Wallace Collection courtyard and Peter Robinson's store are among the latest landmarks bombed. Most of the treasures, including the Domesday Book, housed in the Public* Record Office and also in the museums, were removed to safety. Bridge and Hospital

A bomb caused a crater 30ft. wide in a terrace very near to Westminster Bridge. Two waitresses were killed and there were a dozen casualties. Lord Croft stated that many incendiary bombs had fallen on the Royal Hospital at Chelsea, but there were no casualties and the buildings were not damaged. County Hall, the headquarters of the London County Council, was hit by a bomb. The following message from the leader of the London County Council has been- made public:—"Although the fabric of the County Hall, has received some' damage I want to assure the public of London that the civil defence and other services of the London County Council are being maintained. In unity with and service for London, the County Hall carries on." A raider which was brought down by anti-aircraft fire in south-west. London early this morning just missed a hospital as it crashed to the ground, where it blew up. One of the occupants bailed out and was captured.

HOSPITAL BOMBING * FAMOUS INSTITUTION British Wireless LONDON, Sept, -19 A cheque for £lO5 has been received from the matron and the nursing and domestic staff of St. Bartholomew's Hospital "as a thank-offering for their safety and that of the hospital" on a date named.