STRANGE QUIET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21842, 20 December 1940, Page 7

STRANGE QUIET

Breathing Space For Londoners By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received December 19, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 18. For the sixth successive day London had no daylight raid to-day and also under seven hours of night raiding for the same period. Last night was completely free and there was no alert to-night after many hours of darkness. The casualties since December 13 are less than oneeighth of the total on December 8, which was the worst night for nearly two months. Whatever the breathing space portends it certainly brought a tremendous relief to Londoners, especially those whose work keeps them out at night. The popular question is: “What does the spell imply?” Official statements constantly reiterate that the invasion threat has not passed and appeal to the public not to relapse into the apathy of a year ago. Meanwhile the Royal Air Force is allowing Germany no such relief, as is indicated by the growing evacuation of women and children from the principal German cities. It is authoritatively stated that 850,000 children were evacuated, mainly from Berlin and Hamburg and some Ruhr cities. A German bomber was shot down off Dover this afternoon without loss of British aircraft. This is the only incident reported in the Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security communique. Fifty-four police officers and men have been killed and 332 Injured in air raids on London. A German communique claims successful air raids on Birmingham and London on the night of December 16. “Nothing To Report” It is learned that bad weather curtailed Royal Air Force bomber operations to-night, but objectives in Milan and Mannheim were successfully attacked. The Air Ministry communique states: There is nothing to report.