VERY EFFECTIVE BARRAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21217, 13 September 1940, Page 5

VERY EFFECTIVE BARRAGE

NEW METHODS IN BRITAIN GREAT SUCCESS OF ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE SURPRISE FOR GERMANS IMPROVED PREDICTIONS (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 13, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 12 The sirens sounded in London for the first time today at 4.39 p.m. Planes were heard over the city, but there was no gunfire, and the “All Clear” was sounded at 5.42. The sirens sounded for a second time in London at 9.17 p.m. It is authoritatively stated that last night’s anti-aircraft fire, in the form of a barrage, was based on new methods of prediction. The innovation was undoubtedly successful and the same kind of defence is likely to continue. It is hoped to improve the methods with continued practice. During the air raid this afternoon some isolated bombs fell in two districts on the outskirts of the London area. Shortly after the warning two bombers dived through the clouds, but the balloon barrage compelled the raiders again to climb into the clouds. They were unsuccessful in their attempt to bomb a gasworks. It is now revealed that the places damaged in the recent raids include the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Westminster, also Regent Street and buildings near the Bank of England. Five rescuers were killed when a time-bomb exploded near a school in East London, in which hundreds of people were trapped.

RAIDERS NONPLUSSED

NEW TACTICS IN LONDON ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE CURTAIN “WE GAVE THEM HELL” (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 12 German aeroplanes attempted to raid London again last night for the fifth night in succession, but found new tactics employed against them by the ground defences. London was ringed with a curtain of anti-aircraft fire and searchlights were hardly used at all. The raiders seemed nonplussed. Although bombs were dropped, the general result of the barrage was that the raiders were kept away from Central London, and were able to get to the suburbs only in small numbers. The raid was probably more widespread than on the previous night for this reason. The barrage was a terrific one. It went on for several hours without a break, and then continued at intervals until dawn, when the last raider had been driven back to its base. Nothing like it has ever been heard before in the city or anywhere else. The batteries fired into sectors of the sky, rather than at aircraft as they apoeared. It was like a sustained roll of thunder. Guns of all calibres seemed to be in action. Some were of a heavier type than have been heard in the capital before. Whole districts were lighted up by the flashes of the guns. “I have seen anti-aircraft barrages over Dover, and we always thought they were strong.” said Mr Robin Duff, an observer of the British Broadcasting Corporation. “I have never seen anything like this before.* Londoners Jubilant Londoners were jubilant this morning. As they lay in their airraid shelters they listened not to the thnds of falling bombs, but to the mighty barrage. It was like music to their ears. As one said: “We gave them hell all night.” Many agree that it was the most cheerful night they had spent for months. Thev ask: “Does this mark another decisive stage in the activity of the German air force? Have we found the answer to these indiscriminate raids?” The first thing Londoners wanted to know this morning was whether the Royal Air Force had been over Berlin. An observer who toured London for three hours this morning said there was fresh damage, but it was not easy to find. 10001 b. Bombs on Docks The majority of the bombs so far dropped on London have ranged from 251 b. to 1001 b., with a small percentage of 2501 b. Some 1000-pounders have been dropped on the docks. These are believed to be the heaviest type Germany possesses, but they are considered uneconomical.

“THEY’VE LANDED”

BRITISH OFFICERS MISTAKE DUTCH, NOT GERMAN (United Press Asn.—Elec. TeL Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 12 A British officer, driving towards a town “ somewhere in England,” saw soldiers, with fixed bayonets, and wearing grey-blue uniforms, guarding a bridgehead. The officer skidded his car into a turn, raced back to camp at G 5 miles an hour, jumped out and shouted « They’ve landed.” Five minutes later, lorryloads of British troops were concentrated on the town. Then it was discovered that the “ Germans ” were Dutch troops who. in uniforms similar to those of Germans, were taking up positions lor manoeuvres.

RELIEF OF DISTRESS

FUND OPENED IN LONDON DONATIONS FROM ROYALTY LARGE SUM FROM AMERICA (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 13, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 12 To alleviate the distress caused by the indiscriminate bombing of London the Lord Mayor is appealing for help and has opened a Mansion House Fund. Among the donations are:— £ The King 1000 The Queen 500 Queen Mary 300 Duke and Duchess of Gloucester 250 Duke and Duchess of Kent 200 Other large gifts have been promised, including a substantial donation from the American Ambassador from the funds under his control and from the London County Council.

BOMBS AT RANDOM

SEVERE GERMAN LOSSES 89 BROUGHT DOWN TWO HOSPITALS HIT (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 12 “ Severe losses were inflicted on the enemy in yesterday’s air battles, and the attacks which followed during the night were less effective than any of those since Saturday,” states an Air Ministry communique. “ The London area was again subjected to the majority of these attacks, and although, is his custom, many bombs were dropped at random on widely-scattered districts of the capital, the main course of his offensive was against South London and suburbs. “ Shortly after darkness,” the communique continues, “ four formations of enemy bombers approached the London area, and these were followed throughout the night by waves of other aircraft. Our anti-aircraft batteries were constantly in action, and their heavy barrage prevented many enemy bombers from reaching their objectives. “ High explosive and incendiary bombs started fires. Two hospitals, many houses and some small factories were hit. A feature was the number of incendiary bombs which were extinguished by air-raid wardens before they were allowed to develop into fires. “ In yesterday’s air battles,"” concludes the communique, “ 89 enemy aircraft were destroyed, 80 by our fighters and nine by anti-aircraft fire. Twenty-four of our fighters are missing, but the pilots of seven of these are safe.” One air-raid alarm has been sounded in London this morning since the all-clear was given at 5.30. Enemy aircraft were heard over the north-west.

TO FACE TRIAL

FORMER FRENCH MINISTER WILL CLEAR HIS HONOUR i .United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 The former French Minister for Air in the Daladier Cabinet, M. Guy La Chambre, announced that he is going to Vichy immediately to face his trial and clear his honour. M. La Chambre is one of several former Ministers whose names have been mentioned in connection with j the French war guilt trial.