The German bombardment of Scarborough

Article about the German raid on Scarborough - "MAINLY ABOUT THE DISTRICT OF FALSGRAVE" in the Scarborough Mercury 24th December.

Streams of people moved out of the town along Scalby-road, Stepney-road, and Seamer-road. So hurried had been their flight in some instances that they trudged along in stocking feet. Cabs were also in request, and all manner of vehicles took afrightened people and their goods along the roads leading into the peaceful country.

And yet not so peaceful, perhaps, for a constable showed a representative of the "News" a fragment of a shell which had been picked up at Ayton.

There were occasional lulls in the firing, but in each case the lull was succeeded by a further terrific outburst. When the firing ceased a great feeling if relief came over the townspeople, and their was a general cessation of the preparations which were being made to leave in the event of a prolongation of the bombardment.

People flocked out into the streets to inspect the damaged properties, hunting for fragments of shells as souvenirs became a rage with many.

Neither the Hospital nor the churches of the town were respected by the enemy shells.

Apparently, the wireless station was an objective, as properties in the line of fire suffered, particularly at Falsgrave, but the wireless station itself remains intact.

A farmer who came into the town this morning from Rillington, informed us that the firing could be heard quite plainly in that village.

Some time after the enemy vessels had disappeared from Scarborough dull sounds could be heard as though the booming of the guns, evidently a considerable distance away to sea.

The whole of the afternoon there was consternation at the Post Office, where hundreds of people handed in telegrams to friends.

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