LESSONS OF THE AIR RAIDS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2686, 4 February 1916, Page 5

LESSONS OF THE AIR RAIDS

HOW TO FIGHT THE APACHES OF THE CLOUDS "ROOTING THEM OUT OF THE HANGARS" ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrig&t London February 1. , The Paris Press scorns tlio Zeppelin raids. It points out the lesson that thirty aeroplanes are needed to bring down one monstrous Zeppelin. The Paris "Journal" says the defenders' work is hard because the night is dark and the sky vast. The "Journal," the "Petit Journal," the "Gaulois," and the "Figaro" demand hundreds more aeroplanes for a campaign against "tlio apaches of the air." Experts point out that the aerial weapons available against Zeppelins are restricted to machine-guns and bombs, because the new gunplanes, owing to their wetelit, cannot rise to the altitude of tlie Zeppelins. Guus 011 land aro useless.when the Zeppelin is hidden behind mists. Tlie rooting out of the Zeppelins in their liangars 111 Germany is the only effective means of defence. Tlio "Petit Parisien" graphically, describes tlie chase of the raiders, which used new incendiary bullets. These fell round tlie pursuers like a stream of light. An aviator chased the raider on Saturdey for fifty minutes, and peppered it with bullets, till a, defect in the motor compelled him to land. The Zeppelin ilew at a speed of 62 miles per liour. CERMAN REPORT ANALYSED. "UTTERLY INACCURATE."

The High Commissioner reports: — London, February 3, 1.15 a.m. "The War Office says that the official report from Berlin in reference to the air raid on England last Monday is utterly inaccuratc, and is further proof that these raiders are quite tumble to ascertain their position—necessary to shapo their course—with any degree of certainty. "The total casualties are now reported to be: 59 killed and 101 injured. A church and chapel wore damaged ; also tho railway in two places was slightly damaged; two factories, which are unimportant in a military sense, were badly damaged. Tho total number of bombs discovered exceeds 300." ZEPPELIN SEEN OVER DUTCH TERRITORY. , FIRED ON BY THE COAST-GUARDS. (Rec. February 3, 9.20 p.m.) Amsterdam, February 2. A Zeppelin, which had evidently lost its way in a fog, was discovered over Ameland (Dutch Frisian Islands), flying low. The coastguards fired sixty shots, some of which hit the Zeppelin, which disappeared. EXULTATION IN JERMANY (R«o. Fpbraary 3, 9.50 p.m.) Amsterdam, February 2. The Germans exult in the Zeppelin raids, declaring them to be a punishment for France and Eugland as a reprisal for the Baralong case. _ The "Cologne Gazette" glories in the fact that the Zoppelins are Germany's monopoly. ".England has been forced to admit that she has no defence. Wo experience a certain grim sense of satisfaction. Notwithstanding the fact that our troops are not before Paris or Loif don, that arm reaches far enough to bring home to these so-called civilised nations the tricks that they have played us."

REPRISALS URGED. BIG RAIDING FLEET SHOULD BE ORGANISED. ("Times" and Sydney "Snn" Services.) (Rec. February 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 2. The "Daily Mail" urges the Government to acquire twenty-five thousand aeroplanes and raid Cologne, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Essen, and Kiel. "The cneiuy would think twice," says th© "Mail," "before it made these barbarous. attacks if he knew that for every bomb dropped in a London district two would follow in a German city."