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October 2, 1940 – Mutual – John Steele Report From London – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
October 2, 1940 – News for this day was about the continuing air-bombardment of London and cities throughout England by the German air force.
Reported from London by John Steele for Mutual, Steele reports that the affects of this “blitz” have done very little to demoralize the British people, but that it was the intention of the German bombers to do exactly that. Steele reports that not much damage was done to industrial centers around Britain, but that the actual damage and loss of life was inflicted on civilian targets. He speculates that the damage was caused either by terrible aim by pilots or that the targets were intentional – in either case, the intended results were not as hoped.
Civilian morale around Britain was reported to be at an all-time high, despite heavy damage and loss of life. Steele also reported that the Royal Air Force was inflicting considerable damage on the incoming German bombers, downing as estimated 200 German planes during one raid alone.
Steele reports that there had been some indications that the attacks have been slowing up with fewer planes coming over at night and with longer intervals between raids. Many felt it was the result the Germans had higher losses than expected and that the German High Command wasn’t achieving the expected goals the raids were initially intended. Whatever the reason, the result was, more Britons were sleeping at night – and that was a relief.
The weather may also have been a factor, with increased cloudiness impairing vision at night. But daylight raids proved to be disastrous with high losses of German planes on each occasion.
Nevertheless, the raids were continuing and this was only one of the nightly reports delivered to America during these early days of the war, when uncertainty was high and the future looked grim.
All that, as reported by John Steele via Shortwave for Mutual on October 2, 1940.
