RAID ON LONDON

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 7

RAID ON LONDON

FIRST NIGHT ATTACK DAMAGE FROM BOMBS HOUSES AND CINEMA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, August 23 German aircraft made their first night raid on London and bombs were dropped in districts on the outskirts of the metropolis in the hours ' f darkness this morning. An official .;port says damage was done to houses and a cinema. A small number of casualties was caused. The cinema received a direct hit, says another report. An adjoining hall also was demolished. A public house and a number of dwelling houses were severely damaged. Fires were started in another part of the same district, but were quickly subdued. Air raid sirens were sounded, gunfire was heard, and flashes were seen in the sky as the raiders apparently attempted to penetrate the London area at several points. As they approached the noise of their engines grew steadily louder, and when they drew still nearer searchlights came into action from a dozen points, and picked up three aeroplanes. The dull thud of bombs was heard. Members of an Air Raid Precautions staff on Home Guard duty saw from their own roof from seven to 12 aeroplanes caught in the searchlight beams as they crossed the moon. No damage could be seen from the roof. Terrific Anti-Aircraft Fire The raiders were definitely checked at one point by terrific anti-aircraft gunfire. High explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped in one area, the latter on the edge on a wood, where they set fire to trees. One report says that about 20 bombs were dropped, after which the anti-aircraft guns came into action. The first shell bursts appeared to go very near the raiders, which dodged in and out in an endeavour to avoid the flying shrapnel and maze of searchlights, which by then were blazoning the early morning sky. Their manoeuvring was not successful. The shells continued to burst round them as they turned and twisted. Finally they disappeared beyond the reach of the London defences. Some gunfire was reported from the outer suburbs after ihe all clear had sounded.