BIG AIR RAID ON

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 64, 8 December 1917, Page 10

BIG AIR RAID ON

SERIES OF ATTACKS BY

GROUPS

' ATTEMPT TO CONCENTRATE ! v OVER LONDON

'"■ , London,' December 6. ./An official'report states: "Twentyfive enemy aeroplanes: took part in a raid on England this morning. The first group arrived at 1.30 a.m. and bombed, places; en*and near the coast ofvKehtlXvAßecp.nd .group proceeded up rand"' i pe.ne.trated some distatfee, into, Kent.\... Both.groups carried out: preliminary attacks with the object of drawing ; the gunfire and exhausting the defences. An hour later a serious attack developed. Between 4 and 4.30 a.m. two groups crossed tho coast of Essex, and three others crossed the Kentish coast, and converged upon London, making an effort to deliver five simultaneous., attacks from the north-east, east, and south-west. Our gunfire turned back one- group. Not wore than five or 'sit machines penetrated London."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . .

LATER DETAILS

(Rec; December 7, 7.45 p.m.)

, ■: v . , London, December 6. ' Official: "The casualties from the air raid included three killed and 'eleven injured in the metropolitan area,' and four killed and eleven injured outeido London. The material damage done was slight. A few explosive bombs and a large , number of incendiary bombs fell in various districts. Our batteries brought down two machines, the crew of three men in each case being captured alive. A number of fires broke out in. London, but were speedily -under control. Our attacking.aeroplanes all landed safely."—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Beutar.

rSir Franois Lloyd (Officer ' Commanding the London District), stated in a recent speech that the British air defences were proving equal to every demand made /on them, and the great barrages set up in tho air proving a powerful if not an insuperablo barrier to raiders. Wβ getting more lights, more guns, and ,moro ammunition. Our own airmen were in the zone of fire, he imagined—they were Bt>: there somewhere ready to pick up the .German flyers and fight' them immediately they saw them. "Wβ have no experience yet of the enemy coming on dark nights. I very much doubt his being able to do ed, but the possibilities of the future are infinite, and it is impossible, to say what he , may do.' But at present, so far as we know, we aro pretty safe on dark nights and Iwith bad weather." !A member of the audience asked why had the Government allowed all the moonlight to go without taking reprisals.■■• "I ■ would like a straight answer," he added. Sir JVancis; "replied < that he was not in the Government. They had heard what the Prime Minister said the other day. "We will give them hell." "I hope he means it. I fancy there is every intention of having a go at then! now straight: away. I expect that before long .we shall Kear of very big raids."]- - : . ■ ■ ... '.'■/.■■