CAB80-25 — Page 220

Page 220

Page 220

Road Traffic.

13

86. Many main routes were closed in London especially due to the damage at the Bank Station (the 11th/12th January), but the difficulties of re-routing through narrow streets were quickly overcome and 36 hours after the raid traffic in the City was flowing normally.

Public Utilities.

87. Electricity.-In London, St. Pancras Power Station was temporarily closed, but supplies were maintained by the grid.

At Portsmouth the Corporation Power Station was extensively damaged. This was the most serious cause of loss of production in this raid, but a limited supply for essential services was restored through the Dockyard by the 13th January.

At Plymouth the Switch house was hit and all supplies cut off until a switch-over could be effected to the grid on the following afternoon.

Gas. In London the Stepney Gas Works became waterlogged on the 9th/10th January, but services were restored by the 12th. There was a serious fire at Beckton Gas Works (11th/12th January), but supplies were compensated through other channels.

At Plymouth a serious fire at the Gas Works caused complete failure for all the City, but service should be restored by the 20th January.

89. Water. Although there was a serious water shortage for fire fighting at Portsmouth, the supply for ordinary consumption has not been seriously interrupted during this period.

Oil Plant.

90. At Plymouth, Shell Mex B.P., Ltd., Cattedown, was set on fire, but there has been no report of the main tanks being involved.

In London, at Thames Haven Oil Wharves, Ltd., Stanford-le-Hope, and Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., Purfleet, there was structural damage and disorganisation, but little oil has been lost.

Industrial Key Points.

91. In the Portsmouth area production in Vosper's Shipbuilding yards has been reduced by 80 per cent., and the sawmills at Camper and Nicholson's have been gutted.

At Liverpool, J. Bibby and Sons, Ltd. (Oil Seeds) production may be reduced 50 per cent. for one month.

At Bolton, Bolton Pure Ice and Cold Storage, Ltd., half the refrigerator plant has been rendered unserviceable for an indefinite period.

In London, Cossors, Levin Works, lost a quantity of radio components; there was a serious fire in Woolwich Arsenal; and substantial damage at Magnesium Metal Alloys, Ltd., Rainham.

Hospitals.

92. Seven people were killed at Lambeth hospital, where a block was demolished.

The Royal Ear and Eye Hospital, Portsmouth, and hospitals at Bristol, Woking, Southall, Epsom and Croydon were damaged.

Casualties.

93. The estimated casualties for the week ending 0600 the 8th January are 376 killed and 891 seriously injured-an increase of some 200 seriously injured over the previous week's figure. London casualties were 226 killed and 613 seriously injured, of which over half occurred on the night of the 11th/12th January. Nowhere else did people killed exceed 30 except at Portsmouth, where 68 were killed and 161 seriously injured.

Unexploded Bombs.

94. Numbers remain substantially the same.

184

Page 220

Page 220

Page 220Page 221

APPENDIX I.

Enemy Attack on Trade.

Merchant Vessels (excluding Commissioned Merchant Vessels) of all tonnages reported lost by enemy action. (Note.-Tonnages are gross unless otherwise stated.)

By Submarine.

Date.

Name and

Tonnage.

Nationality. Cargo. From-

To-

How sunk.

In Convoy

Position.

Fate of Crew and other Remarks.

or not.