90 Raiders Down It was announced by the Air Ministry this morning that reports up to midnight showed that at least 90 enemy aircraft had been destroyed during the day. Seventeen of our fighters were lost but the pilots of three are safe. Almost immediately after the warning siren was sounded in London last night the most violent anti-aircraft barrage that the capital has yet heard began. Some of the guns appeared to be heavier than any used before, and they seemed to be firing from all points. The barrage continued almost unbroken for more than two hours, and buildings were shaken by the inten- sity of the concentrated -fire. Faintly above the guns' roar the engines of an approaching raider could be heard, and at once shells were bursting continu- ously at various heights every few seconds, and the German aircraft could be heard for some time cruising round endeavouring to find a spot where he could get through the barrage. LINE OF SHELLS After dying down for a time, the bar- rage became more violent than ever soon after midnight when a German aeroplane flying comparatively low appeared over the central London area. Its course was marked by a continuous line of bursting shells. Flashes from the guns grew so great as the raider flew over the central area that the whole district was almost continually lit up. The raider, evidently harassed by the barrage, soon sheered away still followed by bursting shells. Early reports were received of bombs- in two cases incendiaries-being dropped in three South London districts and one area in West London. When the barrage opened no searchlighis could be seen, but there was a clear sky and a strong moon. Some searchlights came into action later. The night-time warning which was sounded at 8.37 p.m. was the fourth for the day. 90 DESTROYED IN TWO HOURS QUARTER OF ATYACKING FORCE The German air force again lost nearly a quarter of its raiders in a two-hour battle over London and South-East England, states the Air Mvinistry News Service. So fiercely did our Spitfire and Hurri- cane pilots attack enemy formations when they crossed the coast that only a small proportion of the bombers reached the London docks area-apparently the chief target. By 7.30 p.m. it was known that the Fighter Command had destroyed 73 of the raiders, of which 43 were bombers, 19 fighter-bombers, and II fighters. A.A. batteries along the Thames are also believed to have shot down several. This means that the German air force has lost nearly 200 more airmeh. Then at mid- night it became known that the enemy's loss was 90 aircraft. 150-MILE FRONT After a day of rest from daylight mass raiding and a quiet morning the Germans opened their attack along a 150-mile front soon after 3 p.m. Within a few minutes two big formations totalling about 225 bombers and fighter escorts crossed the coast between North Foreland and Dungeness. Simul- tancously another force of about 50 aircraft approached the Southampton area. Most of the bombers, however, headed towards London, hut these Dorniers and Heinkels. surrounded by their hordes of Nlesserschmitt lighters. suffered a crushing dereat. Thev met the Polish squadron which in- flicted sichi sevete punishiment on the German pilots last week. The Poles, wchen they landed, said that there must liave been nearly 150 air- craft in this formation. Led by their English flight lieutenant, the Polish sqttadron, together with another squad- ron of Hurricanes, wheeled and attacked the bombers. So successfully did the Poles and their British Allies break up the enemv forma- tion that they reported afterwards that many of the raiders qtiickly ttnloaded their bombs over the woods of Surrey and Sussex and fled for the coast. They were chased well otut to sea. By the time the battle was over the Polish pilots had destroyed 14-fotir I-leilkels, three Dornieti 215s, three M.E. IlOs, and four M.E. 109S. TUESDAY'S CASUALTIES The following coninltluiqtu was issued last night by the Air Ministry and Ministry of Home Security:- Fuller reports are now available of Tuesday niglits enemy activity over the London area. Although muchi damage was done to private property, it was less than on previous nights and the casualties were fortunately very much less severe. Incendiary bombs started many fires, but only one major fire was caused and all are under control. The work of the fire services has again been beyond praise, and their arrange- ments for muItual assistance are working smoothly. Full reports of casualties are not yet available. but 18 persons are known to have been killed and 280 injured in the London area. To the localities attacked on Tuesday night must now be added a town on the south bank of the Thames Estuary, where a nunm- ber of houses were demolished and several persons were killed. The total casualties on Monday night are now reported to be in the neiglibouhliood of 400 killed and 1,400 iijtired, the majority of the fatalities occurr-ing wlhenl an elementary schlool in Ilte East End of l ondon, which was affording temporary shelter to families whose homtes had been destroyed, was hit and collapsed. There was little enerny activity over this countty to-day until about 3 p.m.. when a large number of enemy aircraft approached the tLondon area. The enemy was driven off but reports so far received shiow that some damage was done, mainly in three districts south of the river. Particulars of casual- ties are not yet available. Bombs were also dropped in another attack on a town on the souithi coast, whiere some casualties are reported, a number of which werc fatal. Reports tip to 7.30 p.m. show that 73 enemy aircraft have been destroyed to-day by our lighters. Seventeen of our fighters were lost, but the pilots of three of them are safe. $** The damage in London during Tues- day night and early yesterday morning is described on page 2. 90. RAIDERS DOWN BIG BATTLE NEAR LONDON TERRIFIC NIGHT BARRAGE