ROAR OF GUNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23780, 7 October 1940, Page 7

ROAR OF GUNS

LONDON'S BARRAGE RAIDERS BEATEN OFF LITTLE DAMAGE CAUSED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October G, 0.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 6 For some hours after dusk on Saturday London's anti-aircraft barrage pounded the sky more or less continuously. The barrage scored a great victory, as bombs were dropped at only two points, neither near the centre of London. Attacks last niglit were almost solely directed against London and south-east England. Houses, commercial and industrial premises in London and some surrounding districts were damaged. Fires were started, but most of them were soon out, and the rest were under control by the early hours.

The Air Ministry news service reports that German aircraft flew over the south-east of England in their fifties and hundreds for many hours throughout Saturday. Small groups of bombers were escorted by large numbers of Messerschmitts, probably meant as decoys for the Royal Air Force. By noon 18 enemy machines had been brought down in an hour, including eight Messerschmitts claimed by a Polish squadron and three by Canadians over Kent. Bomb Near House of Lords

A bomb which exploded outside the House of Lords near the statue of Richard C'oeur de Lion caused superficial damage to the windows and structure of the House of Lords. A communique issued by the Ministry of Home Security states: "During Saturday the enemy made a number of attacks over the Kent and Sussex coasts by forces of several squadrons. All were broken up and repulsed by our defences before they developed seriously.

"Bombs were dropped on a number of coastal towns and a few were also dropped in the- London area. Very little damage was done, but several houses were demolished at Hastings, which was twice attacked, and in tho Medway area. In all the attacks the number of casualties was very small, although some were fatal." Germans Lose 23 Machines

Figures issued by the Air Ministry show that 23 enemy aircraft were destroyed en Saturday. Nine British aircraft were missing, but seven of the pilots were safe. Enemy air attacks on Britain between dusk on Friday night and the early hours of Saturday morning were on a restricted scale. The attacks were mainly directed against London.

A communique issued by the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Home Security states: "Bombs were dropped in south-east England, and some fell in other parts of the country. In London and the surrounding districts some houses were destroyed and other buildings damaged. The casualties reported are not numerous, although they include some fatalities." Enemy air activity 011 Thursday night and during the daylight hours on Friday was on a smaller scale than usual. The raiders fumbled about the sky in a thick, grey mist and were clearly uncertain where they were. There was a prolonged daylight warning, but little damage was caused. Three German machines were destroyed and one British fighter was lost. FIJI PAPER'S FUND SUVA, Oct. 5 The Fiji Times fund for the relief of London air raid victims now exceeds £ISOO.