ZEPPELIN RAID ON THE LONDON AREA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2594, 16 October 1915, Page 5

ZEPPELIN RAID ON THE LONDON AREA

TOTAL CIVILIAN CASUALTIES ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-TWO By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrljht „ London, October 14. Iho War Office reports:—A fleet of airships visited the Eastern Counties and the London area, and dropped bombs. Anti-aircraft guns and the Royal Field Artillery were in action. An airship was seen to heel over on ono s'ido and drop to a lower altitude. Five aeroplanes went up, but only one succeeded in locating the airship, and it was unable to overhaul it before it was lost in the fog. Some houses were damaged and several fires broke out, but no serious damage was done to military material, the Fire Brigade soon got the fires under. The total military casualties were fifteen killed and thirteen wounded. Civilian casualties were: Twenty-seven men, nino woman, and five children killed; sixty-four men, thirty women, and seven children injured. OF these casualties tliirtv-two were killed and ninety-live injured in the London area, including thoso announced last night.

ONE HOSTILE AIRSHIP SEEN TO HEEL OVER ON ITS SIDE,

London,. October 14, 6.40 p.m. Tli© War Office announces that a fleet of hostile airships visited the Eastern Sounties and a portion of the London areas last night and dropped bombs.' Anti-aircraft guns were in action.

One airship was seen to heel over on its side, and drop to a lower altitude. Five aeroplanes went up, but owing to the atmospheric conditions onlv one succeeded in locating the airship. This aeroplane was, however, ' unalilc to overhaul tho airship before it was lost in a fog. Some houses were damaged and several fires started, but no serious damage was done to military material. The fires were soon subdued. Additional military casualties: 14 killed, 13 wounded. Casualties other than military: 41 killed, 101 injured. A BOLD POLICY OP AIR REPRISALS URGED DISCONTINUANCES OF EVENING 'SERVICES AT LONDON churches: (Rec. October 15, 8.25 p.m.) London, October 14. The raid is the outstanding topic of newspapers and public discussion. Lord. Willoughby Debroke presided at a packed meeting of city men in the Cannon Steeet Hotel, when it was resolved to favour a bold policy of air reprisals on tho enemy's towns. A number of members of the House of Commons were present, and supported the resolution. The managers of theatres met and discussed abandoning evening performances, and submitting daily matinees, and except the Royalty Thoatro all decided to continue evening performances for the present. . The discontinuance of evening services at St. Paul's, owing to the light from twenty-four windows and the dome, is causing the clergy to discuss the possibility of discontinuing evening services at other churches. The police patrols in every stTeet in the Metropolis see to the lighting regulations being obeyed. A householder was to-dav fined £25 for failing to reduce lights, and another £10 for not screening tho lights of a servant's room.