QUIET NIGHT OVER ENGLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 43, 20 February 1941, Page 5

QUIET NIGHT OVER ENGLAND

NOTHING TO REPORT . SIX BOMBERS SHOT DOWN ON TUESDAY Received Feb. 20, 12.15 a.m. LONDON, Feb. 19. The Air Ministry states that there was nothing to report. LONDON (Tuesday).—ln five, months since Germany launched her aerial Blitz, on Britain 23,171 people have been killed in raids and 3(1,207 injured. During January 1502 civilians were killed in air-raids on Britain and 2012 injured. The killed included 720 men. 567 women, and 189 children under 16, and the injured 1171 men, 682 women, and 159 children under 16. The remaining 26 killed are not classified. Naz.i Nerve War Failing A distinguished nerve specialist advising the Ministry of Health declares that the Nazi attempt to turn the population of Britain into nervous wrecks by indiscriminate bombing has proved a liasco. Only 25 cases of nervous neurosis have been admitted to special London centres estimated in December and three elsewhere There was not a single case after the Coventry raids. Raids were made by single planes on southern and eastern England today and last night. Some casualties and damage are reported, most of the casualties being caused by a bomb hitting a shelter. Many of those trapped in a London bomb shelter hit last night were rescued after a night-long search, and there is still hope for the remainder. Time-bomb Explodes While A.R.P. workers were engaged in rescuing those trapped a timebomb 20 yards away exploded, destroying a house, killing two nurses, and burying two men in a basement shelter. Nurses and doctors fought fire bombs which fell on three London hospitals last night. The patients remained in their beds and there were no casualties. Six Enemy Bombers Down Six enemy bombers were shot down last night and to-day. Two fell to anti-aircraft guns on the east coast and three others dur-

ing the night. Another German plane was shot down over the North Sea by a naval trawler. The plane exploded in mid-air. Bringing Down a Bomber Describing how he brought down one of the four Nazi bombers destroyed over Britain last night, a : squadron leader flying a night fighter I said he manoeuvred for position, ; closed for the attack, and opened lire. I “The effect was startling. Red I flashes and sparks of brilliant intensity flew in my direction and almost ; blinded me. I was too dazzled to sec Ihe enemy, but kept firing at the flashes until I felt my machine in the enemy’s slipstream and feared a collision. I pulled the stick back slightly i and the enemy passed ten feet below I me.” ♦ Pupil Canes Master A schoolmaster in Nottingham who ; came to school without his gasmask was caned by one of his pupils. The , master threatened to cane any boy ' who forgot to carry his mask and he , agreed if he himself forgot his mask , the pupils could select one of their : number to punish him in the same: way. |

Arriving without his gasmask one day the master meekly held out his hand while the biggest pupil of the school caned him.

GALLANT PEOPLE OF MALTA THREE HUNDRED AIR RAIDS LONDON, Feb. 18. Malta has had more than. 300 air raids since Italy entered the war in June last year. In the House of Commons speakers paid tribute to the spirit of the Maltese people. A sum of £1,000,000 is to be voted for their assistance. High explosives are known to have hit seven working class houses. Six persons were killed. A.R.P. personnel are continuing a search under the debris.