RAID INCIDENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 13

RAID INCIDENTS

BEITAIN DAY BY DAY BATHROOM AS PRISON A STUBBORN HOUSE CAT [from a special correspondent] LONDON, August 17 Strange things, many unrecorded, are happening every daj' ia air-raided Britain. Here are some of the minor events which show how the British civilian is dealing with war-time emergencies. A Dornier, riddled with a Spitfire's bullets, fled south over the Thames Estuary. Suddenly its tail snapped off and the bomber crashed—in a field near some houses. When householders hurried over they found two of tlio crew badly injured, the other two unhurt. They took the uninjured men to a house and decided that they had better be separated. So one of the Germans was invited to take a bath. He accepted, and was locked in the bathroom until soldiers arrived. In south-east England a Nazi fighter landed in a freshly-cut cornfield. Railwaymen working on the line went over and took the pilot prisoner. But, of course, they had to get on with their own job. So they left the airman in the cornfield, after taking away his < boots and socks. The Nazi did not even try to escape. Rural Council's Meeting A meeting of the rural council was being held in a south-eastern district when raiders were reported in the vicinity. Solemnly the chairman rose and proposed: "That this meeting do adjourn to an air-raid shelter." Solemnly a councillor rose: "I beg leave to second the motion." Solemnly the councillors raised their hands. The chairman declared the motion carried. And solemnly they walked to an air-raid shelter, where the business of the meeting was continued; Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Smith were walking through the streets of a southeastern town when a raid began. They carried a jug and a saucer, and they were going to their old home, destroyed bj r bombs a month ago. They went on walking during the raid because they were expected—by Smuts, their cat. Although Mr. and Mrs.. Smith have a new home, Smuts refuses to leave the bricks and wood where he always lived. They have tried everything to get him. . away. Now they are resigned to taking 6 the cat his food every day among the ruins of their own home. "Inconsiderate People Overhead" Overhead on the south-east coast raged a terrific air battle. Below, a funeral procession wound its slow way to the cemetery. Men in Royal Air Force uniform carried the coffin. A Royal Air Force chaplain conducted the service. Above, one of the Nazi aeroplanes fell in black smoke. Below, the mourners lowered into its grave the body of a young German airman, brought down four days earlier.. During the Ransom murder trial at Tonbridge, Kent, raiders were reported. "Very inconsiderate people overhead," remarked Mr. G. R. Paling, prosecuting counsel. With that the witness continued his evidence.