LONDON’S ORDEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24415, 28 September 1940, Page 11

LONDON’S ORDEAL

♦♦♦ BOMBED ALL NIGHT RAID ON SOUTHAMPTON « ' NAZIS PAY HEAVY PRICE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 27. (Received Sept. 27, at 9.30 p.m.) * Raiders again kept up the bombing of London all night. Central London was again comparatively quiet for the first few hours, despite the occasional flaring up of gunfire and the explosion of bombs. A district in North London received a bad pasting for a short period. High-explosive bombs followed a number of flares, destroying a maternity wing of a* hospital. Other bombs razed houses and shops nearby Incendiary bombs in the same area were iwiftly put out. and little damage was done. Many London areas experienced similar visitations. A north-west town had the worst bombing since the outbreak ©f the war Night raiders also visited a south-east coastal area. German guns on the French coast shelled the Dover area, and a man and a woman were killed. The Air Ministry reveals that during a half-hour attack .against Southampton one British and one Polish fighter squadron shot down all the 34 German planes destroyed yesterday. . Fifty Heinkel bombers, heavily protected by fighters, approached the Isle of Wight at a height of 16,000 feet. The Poles, flying Hurricanes, immediately attacked the bombers, and chased some across the Channel to France. Meanwhile, nine Spitfires took on a further 30 bombers, which . were escorted by fighters at a height of 14,000 feet, and chased the attackers to sea after a series of thrilling encounters. NEW TYPES OF DEFENCE WEAPONS New forms of defence and attack have been used in the past * few night raids on London. Citizens have been aware of new strange noises. They have heard thunderous explosions disintegrating into staccato cracks high in the heavens, also muffled rattlings which are dubbed “ carpet slipper machine guns.” There is also a curious flat roar, something which seemingly strikes an imaginary ceiling miles up and then bumps clamorously along the top of the sky. These queer noises are actually caused by new types of weapons or well-tried weapons adapted to new uses. New types of shells, the composition of which is in effect a secret, are being used. New and more elaborate types of “flaming onions” have also. been noticed in recent nights. v •The -Germans’ surprises include parachute bombs, which are described as “shiny and cigar-shaped.” Apparently they are con- ' structed of an aluminium alloy and they float down gently and . explode after landing.

RANDOM BOMBING LONDON THICKLY ? SPRAYED DAMAGE AND CASUALTIES SEVERAL RAIDERS CRASH LONDON, Sept, 27. . (Received Sept. 28, at 0.30 a.m.) Londoners had a surprise this morning ■When they saw 15 German planes flying over the centre of the city in a blue sky. Their wonderinent changed, however, when they learned that even by that time 14 Nazi machines had been- brought down and that. the squadron over London was speeding home after hieing attacked by R.A.F. fighters over Kent. A German bomber crashed in flames' at Dorking, two more fell over Red Hill, and a further two were brought down in the southeast outskirts of London. Later in the morning a further attack developed over London, and it is believed that three more German bombers were shot down. During the night there were widesoread raids over London and bombs were dropped at random in many parts of the city, causing some damage and fires and a number of casualties. Thirty-four German planes were brought down yesterday, and eight R.A.F. fighters were lost, but only three pilots are missing. The intense barrage of inner Lon , don turned back most of the raiders before they reached the centre of the city, so that most of the attacks were in the suburbs. CASES OF LOOTING SEVERAL MEN IMPRISONED LONDON, Sept. 27. (Received Sept. 27, at 9.30 p.m.) Twenty-five cases of stealing from bombed premises were heard in the London courts, including some classed as looting. which is a capital charge under the Defence Regulations. The sentences ranged uo_to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour. Three cases were committed for trial. . A member of the A.R.P. organisation was committed for trial on a charge of stealing a cigarette case from a woman killed by a bomb. Sixteen demolition workers were sentenced to terms ranging from a fortnight to three months for stealing a tobacconist’s stock. A soldier was sentenced for stuffing his pockets with six bottles of wine after helping the police to control crowds outside a bombed house. Scotland Yard has organised antilooting detective souads in con i unction with their flying squads. These squads tour the bombed areas immediately after the “all clear” signal. Another Scotland Yard problem is organised meat- stealing for resale at cut prices. Six carcasses disappeared. from one market in one day.

AIR SUPERIORITY I ■ SWINGING TO THE BRITISH REASON FOR NAZI TACTICS MUST HAVE SHORT WAR (British Official Wireless) RUGBY. Sept. 26. In the course of a broadcast to Poland Genera] Sikorski spoke of Hitler’s tactics in the aerial attack on London. Stating that since the war started Germany had lost 4581 aeroplanes and over 15,000 airmen, General Sikorski said: “ Very soon the R.A.F. will obtain air superiority over the German Air Force. It is for this reason that Hitler, who knows that to prolong the war means for him to lose the war, has decided on the present method of air warfare. Since September 5 the German Air Force has been bombarding London, admitting by this fact that Germany has not succeeded in destroying Britain’s chief centres of resistance, nor in paralysing Britain’s defence preparations. Hitler hopes by the cruel destruction of London’s residential quarters that he will succeed in breaking down the morale and resistance of the British people. Anyone who knows England is aware that warfare methods of this kind must have definitely the opposite result. The population of London gives day by day and night by night impressive proofs of self-con-trol, courage and determination. London follows in the footsteps of heroic Warsaw.” The Polish fighter squadron, named after the national hero of Poland, General Sikorski said, had so far destroyed 73 German planes in the Battle of London. A message to the Polish people which Mr Churchill asked General Sikorski to transmit, expresses the friendship and admiration of the people of Britain for the splendid courage of the Poles and their indomitable strength of resistance, proved by their deeds carried out in most difficult circumstances. These deserved reward, which would be the resurrection of Poland, said Mr Churchill.