DAY'S BIG BAG

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 317, 30 September 1940, Page 1

DAY'S BIG BAG

BRITISH DEFENCES ■ ) . PLANES OF NAZIS DAY-RAID SUICIDES BOMBING OF LONDON (News by Cable.) LONDON, Sept. 27. In to-day’s operations Britain’s mfr defences again took a terrific toll of'German raiders. Up to 7.30 p.m. reports stated that 130 Nazi machines had been put down. Thirtyfour British fighters were lost but the pilots, of 15 were known to be safe. Yesterday’s final tally of German planes shot down was 34. Eight British fighters were lost, but the pilots of three were saved. The operations in which the 130 enemy aircraft were brought down to-day are described in a joint communique issued by the Air Ministry and the Minister of Home Security which says that fighters intercepted several enemy attacks on the south of England and inflicted severe loss 1 - es, particularly in the neighbourhood of London. “Two of these attacks were made on London this morning,” states the communique. “A third Avas made early in the afternoon. A few bombs fell in central London.and a number in south and south-Avest districts. Sc>me damage to houses was caused. Fires were quickly brought under control. In South London, an industrial building Avas hit and a number of casualties resulted, some being fatal. “Bombs Avere also dropped in several places in Kent and Essex, but reports indicate that the damage and casualties- were slight. Driven off by Fighters “In the morning a force of enemyaircrafbierqssed the Dorset, coast and reached the outskirts of Bristol. They were heavily engaged by fighters and driven off. Reports so far indicate that the damage and casualties were not heavy. Late in the afternoon enemy aircraft crossed the south-east coast in force, but again were intercepted at a number of points and only a feAV reached the London area.” At least 10 raiders'Avere shot doAvn over London’s breakfast tables Avhen the Germans made a suicidal attempt in a daylight raid beginning less than four hours after the conclusion of the usual night onslaught. It ended quickly and disastrously for the Germans. One crashed in the City. Three came down in a south-Avest district.

The Air Ministry, reports that the air attacks last night covered many parts of the country, though centred mainly on London and the surrounding districts and areas of the north-Avest of England. Houses and commercial and industrial premises were damaged. __ Several fires resulted from incendiary bombs and there Avere a number of casualties. Houses and commercial buildings in the Merseyside were damaged. The fire services have shown the greatest promptness and efficiency.