Evening star., 1940-08-25
Battle of Britain


gunners were British-convoyed ships
moving up narrow waterway toward
mouth of Thames and London's door,
way. Contemptuously, English spokes-
men raped at nuisance value" of Nazi
shelling, but asserted no important dam
age had been done.
London. worlds most densely popu-
lated metropolitan area, tasted more of
war at first hand. as NaZi
Croydon airmen several times fill
AToroet tered through island de-
fenses to spin bombs into
city suburbs Croydon, reported "in
flames by Berlin, and other important
: British airdromes seemingly were prin-
cipal targets Of German flyers; coastal
and industrial cities also shared atten-
ton.
Meanwhile, Berlin reported on Mon
day morning that concentrations of Nazi
planes and pilots were poised across
Channel "impatiently waiting orders for
a mass attack on England" Up to
last night, they presumably were still
curbing their impatience.
Countering German excursions early
in week, British flyers stormed over
Calais and Boulogne, handy jumping-off
places for any Nazi mass attack" to
shower tons of explosives. And tighten
ing their home mobilization precautions,
Britishers proclaimed entire island de
fense area" subject to martial regula-
tions at any moment.
Over several days, Germans attacked
In large squadrons-bomber units pro-
tected by 1ghters-claiming hits at Great
Yarmouth, Bournemouth, Portsmouth,
Southampton Suffolk and other cities
important in Britain's wartime economy.
Complaining that most of damage and
casualties we're in residential sections,
London said Germans were using pro-
peller bombs, delayed action bombs, in
cendiary bombs and bombs of horizontal
explosive action.
And as week wore on, r. A. F. at
tackers ranged farther across continent,
blasting at Friedrichshafen,
R.A.F. at Kiel, at German bases in
Roids France, Norway, Holland
and at Italian industrial
cities of Milan and Turin; precipitated
protest from Swiss government for care
less bombing over tiny neutral.
AS usual British and German claims
of planes destroyed were in direct con-
trast, with each asserting that enemy
losses had reached 1000 mark during
past eight weeks of intensive aerial con-
f1ict while own losses were in neighbor-
hood of 200. From this distance truth
is not easy to determine, but two factors
seemed to lend measure of weight to
London claims.
First is indisputable fact that because
Of bulk of fighting being over British
soil many planes forced to ground can
be repaired for return to action. Per-
haps of even greater importance is fact
that pilots and crews are in home terri
tory, more familiar with terrain and
emergency landing facilities.
Second significant circumstance may
be midweek reversal of tactics by Nazi
raiders in discontinuing mass raids in
favor Of "sneak and run" strategy. BY
this practice solo raiders ranged over
entire island, recording less damage, but
at less cost in attacks on Welsh, Scottish
and English communities.
Perhaps a third indication of heavy
British toll on invaders was shift of NaZi
raids on London to night
CHANGED hours instead of daylight,
Toctics when greater bombing ac-
curacy is possible. For
nearly an hour between midnight and
dawn of Friday German squadron circled
London while searchlights stabbed dark
ness and sirens sent Britishers scurrying
from beds to shelters. Yesterday there
was an intensifcation of Nazi raids.
Spectacular was opening of Nazi artil-
lery assault on Britain from newly
placed guns on French coast. Threading
its way through Dover Straits on Thurs
day, mile long convoy of British cargo
carriers were first to encounter German
fire as new batteries flung shells from
20-mile range.
While crowds of incurably inquisitive
Britishers gathered on high cliffs OF
Dover, conveying fighting ships belched
thick smoke screen to conceal merchant
men and prevent Nazi range finders from
observing effect of firing. In turn, r.
A. r. planes zoomed over enemy shore
to bomb tell-tale flashes of Nazi bat
teries. Glibly, British communique ac-
knowledged on Friday that English coast
defense batteries had tossed "a few
rounds" in exchange with Nazi guns. but
Berlin went even farther to admit Calais
Boulogne sector under heavy fire.
Important part of this battle Of Brit
ain. of course, is effort by each side to
establish effective blockade against other.
From first days OF conflict British
feet has attempted to keep Germany
shut off from supplies originating in
other parts of world. AS Na1 dominance
spread-to Denmark, Norway, Neither
lands Belgium and finally France-this
task grew more difficult. Its effective
ness decreased, too, when German forces
confiscated vital stores of conquered peo-
ples-and millions on continent faced
coming winter under threat OF famine.