military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (05/09/91)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Saturday, 10 May, 1941 The Luftwaffe concentrates for a huge night raid on London. In 507 sorties, 795 tonnes of bombs are dropped, starting 2200 fires. Among the landmarks damaged by the attack are the House of Commons and Westminster Abbey. Civilian casualties are high; 1436 killed and 1792 wounded. Rudolf Hess, Deputy Fuehrer of Germany, flies in secrecy to Britain, ostensibly to begin unauthorized peace talks. After parachuting from his airplane, he is captured by British authorities and imprisoned. German authorities immediately denounce the flight and state that Hess suffers from a mental disorder. Benghazi is again shelled by British warships. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "Mate, this was the worst ever! -- you should've been here and seen it and 'eard it. Blimey, what a sight !" - unidentified Londoner, commenting on the German air attack