NIGHTLY ORDEAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24432, 18 October 1940, Page 7

NIGHTLY ORDEAL

MASS RAID ON LONDON CITY CARRIES ON RETORT TO NAZI GLEE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 16. London last night again experienced intense bombing raids. According to press observations, a succession of enemy planes, as on the previous night, flew in from the east and north-east, and, circling over London to the west, later made off in a southerly and south-westerly direction. The great height at which some of the raiders flew was indicated by the so-called smoke-trails traced by the planes against the clear sky, which was brilliantly lighted by a “ hunter’s ” moon. Incendiary and high-explosive bombs were showered on the capital. Terrific Defence Barrage The heavy hum of aircraft engines suggested a mass raid. The raiders met with terrific salvoes of gunfire, and two enemy bombers are known to have been destroyed.

The German statement with regard to the number of planes raiding London last night was probably an exaggeration, but hundreds of tons of high explosive and incendiary bombs hit the capital. The raiders made whole districts their targets, consequently the majority of the bombs achieved little direct military damage.

“ London Still Londor ”

“The faces of the crews were radiant as everyone had a grand experience,” says the Berlin Nejvs Agency, describing the return of the Luftwaffe raiders from London. “The Luftwaffe gives no quarter,” says the agency. Citing the examples of annihilated Warsaw, destroyed Rotterdam, and the devastation of Dunkirk, it added: “It is often asked how long will it be before London meets the same fate. The impression of the fire in London last night was indescribable. Supply systems will be paralysed for a long time to come.” That is what Berlin thinks. Londoners went to work this morning much the same as usual. The majority still had jobs to go to,' and tackled them with the same unshaken resolve. London is still London.

HEAVY DEATH ROLL HEROIC RESCUE WORKERS DAMAGE IN HEART OF CITY FAMOUS BUILDINGS HIT LONDON, Oct. 16. A heavy death roll and many casualties are feared in the bombing of a London school last night. The school, which many were using as a shelter, was hit by a heavycalibre bomb. Four other schools were damaged. About 40 people were rescued from the debris. Troops reached some by means of tunnelling four shafts under the wreckage. Doctors attended to serious cases by torchlight. Fleets of ambulances were busy all night. It was a horrific night for those who still believe that the discomfort of being underground is the greater of the two terrors, and stayed above the surface.

Havoc in Famous Square Last night a famous London square was reduced to a heap of twisted frames and dusty debris. At least eight automobiles were shattered. One is a mere mass of twisted metal. The parts were flung through adjacent windows. Mar# people were sheltering in buildings around the square, but there were fewer than a dozen casualties. A famous church was severly damaged. Gaping holes were torn in the sides of tenement blocks, flats, and hospitals. Some shopping and business areas . are cut off bv debris.

Two policemen were killed while on duty in the London area. A family of five, consisting of a man, his wife, and three children, perished when an Anderson * shelter was directly hit. Twenty boys were trapped when a hostel was demolished. Seventeen of the boys were subsequently rescued, but hostel superintendent, with his wife and two children, are all believed to be dead.

SjA.R.P. Workers Bombed

The raiders, guided by a large fire in a furniture repository, rained down 26 high-explosives on doctors, nurses, and A.R.P. workers, of whom several were killed. The rescuers continued to work, disregarding the terrible danger.

A large bomb wrecked several houses, from which A.R.P. workers are still extricating those trapped. Two firemen- were buried while extricating a man. Charles Goodyear was killed by a bomb which destroyed part of industrial premises in London. He gave his life for his comrades. The firm’s fire brigades were dealing with several incendiaries when Goodyear, hearing a high explosive falling, ran about blowing his whistle to ensure that everyone was under cover. The bomb buried him under the wreckage of the building. London had three brief alerts today. Heavy casualties are ; feared as the result of a direct hit on a large crowded underground shelter in London this morning. A goods train and a gang of platelayers were machine-gunned in the Midlands. but no one was injured.