SEVEREST YET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 December 1940, Page 5

SEVEREST YET

NAZI RAID ON MERSEYSIDE HOUSES AND OTHER BUILDINGS DEMOLISHED. BOMBING IN OTHER AREAS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 21. The air blitz against London returned almost to September form for a short period on Friday night after the earliest alert for some days. Reports show that there were night raids throughout Britain. Incendiary and high-explosive bombs were dropped in fields in the West Midlands. Waves of raiders bombed the Liverpool area. Bombs were dropped in an East Anglian town, without damage or casualties. Other parts visited were the north-west and east coast of Scotland, the north of England the south-west and west of England and Wales. The attack' on Liverpool and the Merseyside is described as the severest yet. More planes than ever previously still droned over incessantly in waves early on Saturday, showering countless incendiary and high-explosive bombs. Anti-aircraft batteries and searchlights were in action constantly. A number of houses and a hotel were demolished by one blast. A few people in the dining-room were injured slightly. The glass of shop windows was shattered over a wide area. Workmen started moving the debris of the smashed buildings and homes even while the bombs were falling. Early reports show that few people were killed. D.F.C. FOR N.Z. AIRMAN LONDON, December 21. Acting Flight Lieutenant D. H. F. Barker, Gisborne, New Zealand, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.