-2- made four major raids over east Kent in the direction of London. The first of about 140 aircraft was reported at lO.O0 o'clock and a few reached the inner zone. The second raid at 1.30 contained two formations, 1 of about 100 aircraft approached from the Maid-stone direction and the other up the Thames estuary. A similar raid of about lO0 aircraft passed east of London at 4 p.m. in the direction of Essex and at the same time about 40 crossed the south west coast but were turned back when half way to Bristol and dropped their bombs in the Yeovil area. Our fighters were dispatched to intercept these formations and a number of enemy aircraft were shot down. The proportion of enemy fighters to bombers was approximately 3 to 1. No military damage was reported from these raids and the only industrial damage was a fire in London docks which was extinguished the same evening. During the night of October 7th/8th, widespread bombing took place, the heaviest attacks being upon the London and Liverpool and Manchester areas. Preliminary reports indicate that damage and casualties are small in proportion to the number of bombs dropped. Seventy-one fighter sorties were made by our aircraft but no reports of interceptions have yet been received. Enemy mine laying is suspected off the east coast and in the Mersey area. In London a few cases of damage to public services are reported and one fire station received a direct hit. The aerodrome at Hendon and Liverpool were attacked; at the former a hangar was hit and at the latter one aircraft was destroyed. Both aerodromes remain serviceable. 4./ |