THE BIG ZEPPELIN RAID

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2868, 5 September 1916, Page 5

THE BIG ZEPPELIN RAID

TERRIBLE FATE OF A RAIDER AN AWE-INSPIRING ' SPECTACLE Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. • London, September 3., Official. —The Zeppelin raid was a most formidablo one. The - principal theatre of operations was the eastern, counties. The objectives were apparently 'London and the industrial centres 1, in the Midlands. Our new measures for the reduction and obscuring of lights undoubtedly proved efficacious, because the raiding squadrons, instead of steering a steady course, as was the case in the last autumn and spring raids, groped about in the darkness, searching for a safe avenue to approach the objectives. Only three Zeppelins woro ablo to approach the outskirts •of London. One appeared over the northern districts at 2.15 o'clock. The searchlights immediately picked her up,. and the anti-aircraft guns and aeroplanes heavily engaged her. -After a few minutes the airship burst into flames, fell, and was rapidly ! destroyed. ■ Officials found in the wreckage the engines and half-burned bodies of the crow. Our experts hops to bo able to reconstruct portions of tho framowork. A large amount of wood was used in the framework, which soems to point to a shortage or aluminium in Germany. The London defences drove off the other two without their being able to approach tho controof the city. Al great number of bombs were dropped ' promiscuously in the cast and southeastern counties. Many bombs foil into the sea and in remote country, districts. Persons who picked 'up fragments of the bombs have been ordered to submit them to the authorities. If they are valueless for reconstruction, they will bo retnrned to the owners. ' The "Weekly Dispatch" publishes tho account' of an eye-witness who was awakened by tho sound of bombs and heavy gunfire. Searchlights, hesays, were playing in all directions. One of tho Zeppelins was visible. It was almost stationary for five minutes, and then it disappeared for another five, minutes in the clouds. "Then wo were all suddenly aware of a bright glow in the cloudy mist, which dovel-* oped into a' long, «ausage-liko flame. The sky, was lit up by a burning imass which took two minutes to descend. It seemed, before reaching the ground, to be completely consumed." The crowd sang a song in honour of tho occasion. The delight of the people was boundless. ■ .

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

The High' Commissioner reports:— London, September 3, 2.50 p.m. "Viscount French officially reports that thirteen Zeppelins participated in the London raid, ten making the eastern obunties as their principal theatre. Of three which reached London, two were driven off and one destroyed by guns and aeroplanes near Enfield. Tho occupants were burnt. English authorities hope to reconstruct tho wrecked Zeppelin. ' ■ . I "Numerous bombs were dropped in eastern and south-eastern counties. "The extent of the damage and casualties is believed to bo slight." THE CASUALTIES. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, September 3. Official.—As a result of the air .raid, a man and a woman were killed, and eleven men, a woman, and two children were injured. There were no casualties in tho. Metropolitan police district, where twentyfivo houses were slightly damaged, and three horses killed: Elsewhere tho effects were of the slightest. ' No military damage was done. "A CLARE LIKE A SUNRISE." (Rcc. September 4, 5.35 p.m.) London, September 3. The burning Zeppelin crashed upon a peaceful village church. - The glare was like a 6iinriso,. and was seen for miles.i It was an awe-inspiring spectacle Sas it swept towards the ground ou firi, watched by many thousands or people, who had been awakened by the bombs and the guns, and gathered to tho scene. Vehicles of all kinds arrived from miles around,-the traffic on tho Great North Eoad out-rivalling Derby Day. The military arc guarding tho ruins. Apart from the engines and parts of tho huge propellers, there are only the ashes. The envelope was entirely burned.