In an earlier raid, which began at 1030 pam. last night, bombs were roped in several sections of London. The damage and casualties could not be learned immediately.
Shortly after the raid alarm sirens sounded, pedestrians heard British anti-aircraft batteries open fire and searchlights began sweeping the skies. 'The noise of German' plane motors could be heard, but all bombs Groped in. this raid' fell near the outskirts of the capital. The all clear signal.was given at 11.20 pin.
The Air Ministry announced at 11 pam. that 39 German planes had been Shot down yesterday up to that time. The announcement emphasized that this count was still incomplete and that other German losses were expected to be reported.
Eleven British planes were said to! be missing. The pilots of three of these planes are known to be safe, the announcement added.
Air Battle Over Coast 'The Germans were reported to have lost 24 planes while trying to, force their way across the Dorset coast. The air battle which develop-fed along the coast' at this point was described as one of the most terrific of the entire war.
Belween fifty and a hundred German planes were reported to have been engaged in this battle. British officers said the German losses were proportionately higher than in any other large alr battle of the war.
The German squadron which attempted to cross the Dorset coast yesterday met with terrific antiaircraft fre and later was attacked by. Spitres and Hurricanes.
'Switching their tactics yesterday, the German planes swerved deci into south-west England in an effort {o batter their way inland and attack Britain's vital airports defending the vast industrial areas' of south-west England and Wales,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.