Imperial Valley Press

London Press Warns This May Be Biggest Week in Empire's History As German Raiders Resume Attacks

LONDON. Aug. 20. (UP) New waves of German bombers smashed at England today while the press warned that "this may be the biggest week in Britain's history" and the Royal Air Force blasted at German bases across the English Channel.

Swarms of German planes attacked northeast England after a night during which bombs had been scattered over most of the island.

leaving numerous casualties in many communities.

The Germans also launched post-dawn assaults in the southeast, penetrating past coastal defense to attack an inland town.

The air and home security ministries said that last night's scattered raids extended over most of England and Wales and "a few districts of Scotland" and that there was "a number of casualties, some of which were fatal."

Some damage was done to towns in the midlands and northeastern and southwestern England last night, the ministries added.

Renewal of intensified bombing followed a lull during yesterday's daylight hours which the British attributed to heavy losses inflicted on Adolf Hitler's raiders Sunday.

The air ministry said 144 Germans were shot down Sunday, bringing total enemy losses for the seven-day period then ended to 571.

Yesterday's bag of German planes, the air and home security ministries said, was only five.

Three British fighters were lost, the ministries added, but two of the pilots escaped death.

(The lull was attributed by Berlin quarters to bad weather.)

The RAF was blasting away at German bases on the French channel coast. The brilliant flashes of exploding bombs and anti-aircraft batteries were clearly visible on the English side. A great pillar of flame shot up after one explosion and observers believed a big fire had started. The raid appeared to be "concentrated from Calais to Boulogne, reported twice attacked, and extended for miles.

Meanwhile commons engaged in general debate in which all aspects of the war were discussed for the first time since the Norwegian debacle and the downfall of Neville Chamberlain's government.

The meeting of commons found, the public generally pleased by the action taken yesterday to place the entire country under unified control in anticipation of a German invasion attempt.

One member of Churchill's cabinet, Information Minister Alfred Duff Cooper, faced what may develop into highly critical questioning in commons.

A nine-hour delay in releasing news of Friday's air raid on London suburbs and the British claims of victory to American news agencies precipitated widespread criticism and moved the daily telegraph to assert that: