Official Story of Wednesdays Raid

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 217, 13 September 1940, Page 7

Official Story of Wednesdays Raid

MAIN FORCE ON SOUTH LONDON Received Fridaly, 12.40 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 12. Official: Severe losses were infiictod on the enemy in yesterday’s air battles. The attacks which followed at night were less effective than any of those since Saturday. The London area lias been the object of the majority of these attacks and tho enemy has customarily dropped many bombs at random over widely-separated districts in the capital. Tho main force of his offensive was directed against South London and its suburbs. Formations of enemy bombers approached tho -London area shortly after dark and waves of further planes followed all night long. Our anti-aircraft batteries constantly put up a heavy barrage preventing many enemy bombers reaching their objectives. High explosive and incendiary bombs started fires and hit many buildings including two hospitals and some small factories.

A marked feature of the raid was the number of incendiaries which

A.R.P. wardens extinguished before doing harm. The number of persons kkied and injured is probably less thau on any of the previous four nights. Outside the London area enemy activity although widespread was relatively ineffective.

It is now confirmed that 89 enemy planes were destroy} d on Wednesday while 24 of our figlitq s are missing but the pilots of seven aqe safe.