GERMAN RAIDERS

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 324, 22 October 1940, Page 2

GERMAN RAIDERS

GREAT HEIGHT KEPT LONDON AND PROVINCES (News by Cable.) RUGBY, Oct. 20. Enemy air activity so far to-day has been mainly over the south-east of England, according to a,"communique issued by the Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security. On several occasions during the morning and afternoon formations of enemy aircraft, mostly lighters and fighter-bembers, crossed the coast of Kent and flew at a great height towards London and the Thames estuary. Some succeeded in reaching the London area.

Bombs were dropped on London and in Kent and Essex, bub reports so far indicate that the. damage was not heavy, nor the casualties numerous. Elsewhere enemy activity was very slight and no bombs arc reported dropped.

It is known so far that seven raiders have been brought down.

A number of bombs fell on London soon after the alert sounded last night. The raiders appeared to be groping for targets before the moon rose. Intensified in Moonlight The attack was intensified with the rising of the moon and showed signs of becoming heavier than on previous nights. This was confirmed by a communique issued by the Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security, which stated: “The enemy’s air offensive against this country was continued during the night and on a somewhat larger scale than on recent occasions. It was at its height during the early hours of darkness, when three main attacks wore im progress, namely against London, the Midlands, and towns in the north-west. The last two attacks ceased; at midnight, but that against London was continued throughout the night, except for a short period in the early hours of the morning.