LONDON DEFENCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24431, 17 October 1940, Page 7

LONDON DEFENCES

EFFICACY PROVED HEAVY TOLL OF RAIDERS ENEMY PILOTS’ TRIBUTE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 15. (Received Oct. 16, at 9.30 p.m.) In a raid on London several enemy planes flew low, some iust over the balloon barrage. A “ Molotov breadbasket ” fell near a famous railway terminus, but the resultant fire was quickly controlled. Two high-explosive and two oil bombs fell on the outskirts of London, demolishing two houses. The manager of an electric light company was killed in his home when a high-explosive bomb was drooped in an East Anglian town. An historic church, parts of which date back several centuries, was damaged by a bomb in a South England town. Two of the best-known Scottish auxiliary squadrons, the City of Edinburgh and the City of Glasgow, are participating in the defence of London and have repeatedly been in action for several weeks in a south-east area. Their combined bag is nearly 150 planes, in addition to many unconfirmed victories and planes damaged. Several of these pilots were engaged in the first battle over Britain when the Germans last year attempted to raid the Firth of Forth. The Edinburgh squadron recently shot down 14 planes in one day, a record few squadrons have equalled.

Contrasting with the reports of German news agencies and radio stations, which boast about British air losses and damage to London. German pilots testify to the efficacy of London’s defences. One pilot described how anti-aircraft shellbursts drew nearer till one of his engines was out out of action and he was compelled to dash for safety. It. is officially stated that IB raiders were shot down to-day and 15 of our fighters were lost, but nine of the pilots are safe. Many men, women, and children displayed remarkable calm when a bomb hit a suburban shelter and shattered a water main, which flooded the interior to waist deep. There were few casualties, though a heavy death roll seemed certain. The shelter’s lights went out, but the occupants formed a human chain and waded out, holding one another. Several children were slightly injured while scrambling out.