MORE FIRE RAIDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23863, 14 January 1941, Page 81

MORE FIRE RAIDS

.ATTACKS ON LONDON OUTBREAKS IN HAND HAVOC CAUSED IX SUBWAY BESCUE DIFFICULTIES JBy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 13, 7.30 p.m.) LOXDOX, Jan. 13 For the second night in succession .'London was the main target of ■ enemy bombers last night, when a .large number of bombs fell in various parts of the capital. The all ■clear was sounded before midnight. Fires started by incendiary bombs were soon in hand. Kenorts so far received indicate that casualties were not heavy. A bomb which fell in a London thoroughfare killed eight passers-by .and injured a number of others. Anti-Aircraft Fire Succeeds Raiders were also reported over ."'Liverpool and towns in the north-east, isouth-west and west of England, and •in South Wales. An unofficial report states that the raiders were driven "back from the Merseyside area by heavy anti-aircraft fire. The raid on Saturday night was talmost non-stop. Fire hombs were interspersed with explosives in sandwich fashion, it is believed the (Germans used a new type (it tire bomb in 1 addition to the old types. Strange I lights and flashes were seen. Terrible Scenes There were terrible scenes when a tigh-explosive bomb fell in a London bway, plunging through the surface and bringing down debris on people •taking refuge below, many of whom were killed. Rescuers quickly arrived, Jrat -were confronted with a tremendous ■problem, as the whole roadway had teen lifted up and dropped back again. Huge masses of concrete lay between ■ it-lie rescuers and those entombed. Twisted iron girders and lamp-posts, the remains of a traffic island, contributed to the chaotic scene. A small tire "broke out just, under the surface, but •Was quickly extinguished. The killed iind injured were lifted out. Then men, women and children staggered through -the debris and were helped out from l£he crater. Hospitals as Targets Two fire watchers were killed when & flight of stone stairs collapsed on top of them after an explosive hit the premises. Three nuns were killed by a bomb which struck a section of a hospital in the London area. Patients had been previously removed. A building being used as a hospital was demolished by a direct hit. All the patients were evacuated, but two nurses and a fireman are missing. Several people were killed and a 'number injured when a bomb fell between two large blocks of flats. A number of people were trapped when a heavy bomb hit an office in which they were sheltering. Fire broke out in the wreckage, interrupting- rescue work. Six were saved after the fire was put out, but the voices of others could still be heard. Efforts are being made to rescue them. A man on the third floor was trapped in a small cave made by masonry when the building collapsed. He was rescued ■with only a few bruises. Bombs were also dropped in south and south-east England. Few did any damage and no one was killed. No enemy activity was reported over Britain during daylight yesterday, says an official communique, which adds: "It is now confirmed that on Saturday might an enemy bomber was destroyed Iby anti-aircraft gunfire."

MILLIONS OF BOOKS LOSS IN LONDON FIRE MANY IRREPLACEABLE LONDON, Jan. 13 Approximately 5.000,000 new book:;. Tanging'from highly-scientific works to movels, were destroyed in the recentraid on London when enemy raiders to set fire to it. ■ stated a British Broadcasting Corporation speaker. Between 3.000.000 and 4,000,000 books were destroyed at the "wholesale distributing centre. Stationers' Hall. At least 1000 titles are irreplaceable. The speaker- said London publishers had combined to set up a new wholeBale distributing centre, and assist the old firm. The scheme provided for the establishment of a book centre, which would be run on a non-profit basis and would be 'manned by the old firm's staff. AIR TRAINING CORPS MUCH INTEREST SHOWN (Received January 13, 5.35 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Jan. 12 Several hundred letters and personal calls already received by the Air Ministry information bureau indicate the nation-wide interest in the X"w Air Training Corps. The inquiries come from headmasters, former Royal Air Force officers and boy engineers, ail eager to participate. PEACE PROGRAMME PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT PLANS LONDON. Jan. I'J Addressing 2000 deleft.-; fro,,, r ,M parts of the countn nt *P;.,,n|,.V Convention. Mr. I). V p,.j lt _ K r SI. P. tor Ha!iimiT<-']ii!t!i, who wa- last year expelled front the Labour P;u-'y. said the greatest single point, in their programme was' t)m achievement of peace. ''Our policy is to offer to the enemy peoples a peaee of n „ nnnexntiojis and tin- reparations, with liberty for all peoples to determine their own idestiny." he said. t Replying to critics who accuse the K'Opie's .Movement of pro-Hitlerisni. -Ijii. 1 iit.t declared; '\\ e have been enemies of if it Icr and his system for years, while our critics were, licking his boots, endorsing his submarines °and financing him in building his strength." The convention passed a resolution demanding a higher standard of living, adequate bomb-proof shelters, restoration ot all trade union rights and civil liberties, emergency powers to take over the banks, land transport, and large industries, national independence for India, friendship with Soviet Russia, a people's Government and a people's peace.