NORTHERN AREA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23839, 14 December 1940, Page 11

NORTHERN AREA

LATEST NAZI TARGET WAVES OF RAIDERS CONCKNTRATKD ATTACK By Telegraph Press Association—Copyriprht (Received December "13, 10 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. K! The enemy developed an attack last night on an industrial region in not!horn England and on one town in particular. In this town a number of buildings wen; destroyed and roads damaged and temporarily blocked. Wiivcs of raiders attacked for several hours, and there was a fairly continuous hail of high explosive and incendiary bombs. There are no reports of casualties so far. A number of fires were overcome by firemen battling amid exploding bombs. Few Bombs on London Night raiders were over London comparatively early. A full-throated barrage from the inner defences met single aeroplanes speeding over the capital The, alert lasted several hours, but few bombs were dropped, and the allclear was sounded at 5 a.m. Several towns in the Midlands and also Liverpool, the north-east and north-west of England and Fast Anglia were bombed for the second time in 21 hours. High-flying raiders bombed an Kast Midlands town. Two raiders were shot down during the night. German Claims Informed circles in Berlin last, night stated that from an early hour bomber formations had been attacking Sheffield with bombs of the heaviest calibre. Returning bombers from the first wave reported heavy and extensive fires in many places throughout Sheffield. It is assumed that further fires caused by later waves would so spread that the resulting destruction would be comparable with that in London and the Midlands. For hours bombers had been starting from Belgium in continuous waves unhampered by unfavourable weather. The Sheffield armament works were stated to be the principal target. ACTIVITY BY DAY four machines shot down LITTLE DAMAGE CAUSED (Received December i; J >, 5.35 p.m:) LONDON, Dec. l-_' Small formations of enemy fighters and fighter-bombers crossed the Kent coast this morning and Hew toward London, states a communique. They were intercepted by Royal Air Force fighters and three enemy aircraft were shot down, the lioyal Air Force suffered no loss. A small number of bombs was dropped on the outskirts of the London area and points in south-east England. These did little damage, but caused a few casualties. Otherwise enemy activity to-day was slight. A n eneniv bomber was shot down over a south-west town this morning, and during last night one bomber was dest roved. A Berlin message stated that the German Air Force to-day directed attacks against London and surrounding areas. Effective hits wore observed north of the Thaiyes and at its mouth. GALLANT SIKH MILITARY CROSS AWARD AFRICAN CAMPAIGN ACTION (Received December 1 :i, 8..50 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Dec. X Among awards of the Military Cross in the African Campaign is one which reveals the story of the gallant conduct which brings the decoration to Lieutenant Taj Mohammed Khan Zadas, of tlie 11th Sikh Regiment. Khan Zadas was ordered to take action which would secure a position, evacuate casualties and cover the withdrawal of a piquet. In carrying out the operation he displayed great coolness and determination in face of heavy opposition. A few days later, during an attack upon villages, Khan Zadas' company was opposed by a party of some .'lO of the enemy troops, who stood their ground. He immediately organised and led an attack in face of very heavy fire over 200 yards of open country, and routed the party with the bayonet and grenades. I lis leadership caused heavy casualties to be inflicted on the enemy, who withdrew, leaving seven dead. This prompt and determined action lowered the enemy's morale and resistance, and had a decisive effect on the situation. AUSTRA LI A N C A BINET (Received December l.'l. 11.10 p.m.) CANBERRA, Dec. IM The Prime .Minister, Mr. Mon/ies, announced to-day that he had given tip the Ministry of Information, and had appointed Senator 11. S. Foil, Minister of the Interior, to that post.