The Evening Gazette Report
The Evening Gazette reported the attack but had to do so according to the censorship restrictions so was only able to refer to a North-East industrial town. ( On the same night, Saltburn also was bombed with one fatality. The Gazette could only identify Saltburn as a 'Coastal Town')
------------------------------------------------
Evening Gazette Thursday,April 16,1942
Front Page:
Many Casualties in Raid on North-East Town
Casualties in last night’s bombing of a North-East industrial town , include some 19 killed and a large number injured, several of whom were detained in hospital. More people were treated at local hospitals and others at first-aid posts.
In one instance there was a direct hit on a house. In another the bomb fell on to a narrow street and demolished houses on either side. A 24-inch gas main was severed and the gas was ignited.
In spite of the added danger firemen, gasworks employees, rescue and demolition squads worked without respite. One working man stood a picture of agonised grief ,while one member after another of his family was brought out of the wreckage dead.
Among the killed are five babies, and it is understood , their mothers are also among the victims.
Search is still being made for people reported missing including the mother of a Corporation A.R.P. official. A large number of people are temporarily homeless.
Saved by Shelters
The arrival of the first raider was so sudden that only a small number of people had been able to get into the shelters. Those who did were safe. Some shelters were scarred and cracked but even where close to wrecked houses none collapsed as did the houses.
(continued on back page)
back page North-East Raid
Parents were taking children and aged people to shelter when the bombs fell. Many suffered from flying glass and masonry. In a congested area many houses were damaged. Not a scrap of usable furniture or other household equipment was to be found.today in lots of houses.
Slates, tiles and glass were scattered and soot-covered people were seeking to do the best they could in the circumstances.
They were cheerful in spite of it all. “We shall surely be given an extra soap ration for all this,” remarked one grimy housewife.
Services Praised
From all sides nothing but praise was accorded the civil defence services. People deprived of homes were accommodated in emergency sleeping and feeding centres and all night a mobile canteen has played a useful part.
Everything worked smoothly at the emergency centres. Many people arrived in their night clothes. One man had wrapped himself in a blanket. Hot drinks were available at once , and, after a night’s rest, people were today fitted out with clothing provided for such emergencies from American and London sources.
A man whose employment is important was roused, fitted out,fed, clothed and provided with meals for the day in time to get away to work at 6 a.m.
A large number of people were temporarily homeless. Many made arrangements to stay with friends and relatives. Others were looked after by voluntary workers.
Much favourable comment is being heard about the viciousness of the defence of the district. Anti-aircraft gunfire was especially heavy at times.
A bomb which fell in an open space about 30 yards from a row of houses caused a huge crater. Death came suddenly to a number of people including a family of six.
Buried in Debris
People in bed were buried in debris whilst others were just preparing to go the shelters. Several people were rescued including an old man who was trapped under debris over an hour. When rescue workers dragged him out he smiled and remarked,
“Look after the others.I’m all right.” He was more concerned about the loss of his pipe than his injuries.
Among the dead are three children ---Dorothy Smithson (18 months) Vincent ----(3) Tony Rea (2) and a 16 year old boy Brian Taylor.
Many people had miraculous escapes. Only the dividing wall remained of one house
In which a family of seven lived , but all escaped without injury except the father Thomas Sunley who received cuts to the head.
Thomas Pelgate a corporation electricity workman who was in bed when a bomb fell 12 yards away, said he was blown out of bed and received a nasty cut on the head from flying glass.
Another man, Albert Lowe was getting up when he was blown on to the landing.
|
