QUIET NIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23870, 22 January 1941, Page 7

QUIET NIGHT

NO RAIDS ON BRITAIN SOLITARY DAY VISITS ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS' SUCCESS K.v Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, Jan. 21 There were no enemy air raids on Britain last night. An Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique stated that there was some enemy activity during daylight yesterday. Bombs were dropped ]»y single enemy aircraft at a place in Norfolk, at another in Kent and at, a third in the Home Counties. These did only slight damage, and no casualties were reported. Scottish Coast Engagement F.arly yosierdny altornoon «ui pupmy aircraft was intercepted near the east coast, of Scotland. During a short- engagement, in which one British pilot was wounded, the enemy aircraft was severely damaged. Referring to Sunday night's raids, the Air Ministry says all had ended by early morning. Explosive bombs caused damage at, some places. Nowhere were the attacks on a heavy scale. There were very few casualties. Five Bombers Destroyed It is learned that five enemy bombers were destroyed, four of them by antiaircraft guns. Eire parties, organised only last week, proved their efficiency when a number of incendiary bombs were dropped on a south-east England village, says a British official wireless message. The tire-bombs wore extinguished before any damage was done and before the arrival of two fire brigades. It- is feared that tbe death roll in the Swansea raid on Friday is heavier than was anticipated. Air raid precautions workers continue to search for victims.

AMAZING NEW FIGHTER

SPITFIRE ITT. DESCRIBED CANNON ANO MACHINE-GUNS WELL OVER 400 MILES AN HOUR LONDON, Jan. 20 The Royal Air Force's super-fighter for the expected spring air battles will be the Spitfire 111., says the Dailv Mail. This aircraft, which is a remarkable development on the original Spitfire and Hurricane, will lead the British team of fighters, including re-engined and rearmed Hurricanes, and also Tornadoes, Whirlwinds and improved Defiants, the paper adds. Before the Spitfire 111. went into production some months ago it astonished aircraft industry officials with its amazing speed at heights which a year ago were considered impossible, its top speed far exceeds 400 miles an hour. its armament consists of cannon and machine-guns, making it even more deadly than the earlier Spitfire. It has clipped wings and appears to be all engine. Power is generated by a RollsRoyce Merlin engine. AIR RAID CASUALTIES 22.500 KILLED I IN BRITAIN LONDON, Jan. 20 Detailed returns of air raid casualtics in the United Kingdom in December show that 3793 people were killed and 5044 taken to hospital. These are the lowest figures since the concentrated air attacks began. Those killed include 1691 men, 1431 women and 521 children under 16 years and 147 unclassified. People sent to hospital comprise 2962 men, 1775 women and 307 children. The total casualties since the air war began are 22,569 killed and 30,556 in hospitals. Of the total, 2351 children were killed. TWO SONS KILLED MELBOURNE MAN'S LOSS MELBOURNE. Jan. 21 News of the death of two sons in the Bardia battle has been received by Mr. X. C. Scott, of Melbourne. The names have not yet appeared in the official casualty lists. This is the first instance of two brothers being killed in the Australian Imperial Force in this war. On Friday the lather was informed that Sergeant J. Scott bad been killed and yesterday he was advised of the death of Driver Russell Scott. Both were singlo men. INCENDIARISM ALLEGED LONDON, Jan. 20 A fire-watcher, (ieorge Fdward Young, has been committed for trial for an alleged attempt to set fire to the British Broadcasting Corporation's Bristol premises where damage estimated at over £ISOO was caused.