BLITZ RESUMES

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21418, 12 May 1941, Page 7

BLITZ RESUMES

ATTACK ON LONDON 33 RAIDERS DOWN MUCH DAMAGE REPORTED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, May 11 Full-scale blitz returned to London on Saturday night. The German radio had threatened “the biggest ever,” and the beginning of the raid certainly seemed to live up to that. Throughout the hours of darkness high explosive and incendiary bombs fell on the city with unrelenting fury, and when the all-clear was sounded at dawn Londoners looked out upon a scene of destruction. Many bombers arrived when darkness fell, raining down clusters of incendiaries and very heavy explosives. Householders declared the raiders swooped almost as low as the rooftops. More and more incendiaries and explosives came down. Night of Horror Every gun in London seemed to be in action, but the rapid onrush of raiders continued unabated, presumably with the intention of intimidating the fire-fighters and Home Guards. However, fire-engines sped through the streets regardless of the incessant hail of bombs. The brilliant moon became a mere pale circle in the brightness of the incendiaries. The sound and fury of the bombing slackened considerably after five hours, but the night of horror continued until dawn. Sweeping flames leapt from building to building, and many were burned out. Each new blaze sent up fragments of blazing wood, some as big as a fist and some bigger, which were like a hellish snowfall drifting across the streets and buildings, littering streets and lodging in gables, which they started fresh fires. The air was literally filled with fiery particles and acrid smoke clouded the moon. Five Hospitals Hit An observer in the city said it was a most awe-inspiring spectacle. The city was bathed in a golden glow. Night was turned into day. Above the crackle of this inferno was the crash of heavy bombs, the roar of anti-aircrafi fire, and the rattle of machine-guns. Five hospitals, including a children’s hospital, several famous churches, a hotel, cinema, and many commercial buildings were hit. A bomb which fell in a street market caused casualties and trapped shelterers. Other bombs swayed large buildings. A residential district on the outskirts of London suffered badly. A direct hit on a warden’s post killed the chief warden and injured others. An anxiliary fire-station also received a direct hit. Damaged Beyond Repair At least two of London’s most loved churches, one of which is amongst the oldest, are now mere shells, and others are scarred. Many imposing buildings and office blocks were damaged beyond repair. At least 33 of the raiders were shot down, 31 by night fighters. This is by far the greatest number of enemy night raiders shot down over Britain in a single night. At least 124 enemy aircraft have been destroyed over Britain at night this month, which means that Germany has lost between 500 and 600 trained airmen. The fact that so many of the raiders were destroyed has encouraged Londoners. Up to last night it was estimated that the destruction of night raiders was from 3 to 6 per cent of the attacking force. It was believed that if the British defences could bring down 20 raiders a night, that percentage would be doubled. Other Towns Raided The Air Ministry states that the capital was bombed heavily for several hours. Reports so far show that ffie number of casualties was high and that considerable damage was done. • Bombs were also dropped in the south-east and in East Anglia. A small number of people was killed, but nowhere in these areas was damage extensive. In a raid on a town in the south-west some houses were damaged and a number of people was injured. Train Attacked Mortally wounded when German raiders swopped down and machinegunned a passenger train on Friday evening, the driver halted the train and backed it to the safety of a station near by, assisted by the fireman. who was also wounded. The driver died in hospital.