AIR ASSASSINS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 117, 4 February 1918, Page 5

AIR ASSASSINS

MURDEROUS ATTACK ON PARIS 60 GOTHA 'PLANES IN ACTION RAID PUTS AN END TO ALL PEACE TALK Paris, February 1. The theatres had just emptied when the most murderous raid that Paris has yet suffered , commenced. It is estimated that sixty Gotha aeroplanes attacked tho city, operating in squadrons of ten, and sweeping over Paris in succession. Each squadron remained until it was replaced by another ten, hence the long duration of the raid. Ideal weather favoured the savage enterprise; it was glorious moonlight, with a thin mist over the ground—tho last vestige of a fog which had aided the Gothas to elude the aeroplane patrols. Thirty French aviators immediately went up, and fought a number of desperato duels. Altogether seventy bombs were dropped, but many failed to oxplode. The bombs were of three kinds, tho smallest'weighing twenty pounds and the biggest one hundred and fifty pounds. The Parisians were in no way friglrS««ed, but the raid angered everyone and put an end to all peace talk.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. OFFICIAL CASUALTY REPORT London, February 1. A French communique states that the casualties from the air raid total thirty-six dead (including twenty-two in Paris and fourteen in the suburbs) and one hundred and ninety-one injured (one hundred and fifteen in Paris and seventy-six in tho suburbs). The victims include many women and children. Three hospitals were struck, one being set on fire. Sixty French aeroplanes, ascended to dofend the city.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. February- 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 2 A French official report states:—"The casualties by the air raid included thirty-one killed in Paris and fourteen in the suburbs, including _ eleven women and five ohildren, while 131 were injured in the city and 76 in the sub-urbs."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. STATEMENT BY GERMAN PRISONERS. (Rec. February 2, 3.30 p.m.) Paris, February 1German prisoners state that twentyeight machines participated in the raid. They were ordered to avoid bombing tho hospitals.—Aus.-IN.Z. Cable Assn. PARIS DEFENCES TO BE STRENGTHENED. (Rec. February 3, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, February 1. M. Clemenceau (the Premier) has arranged to increase the aeroplane and other defences of Paris, on a scale equal to those of London.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE LoioT RAIDS FATAL STAMPEDE BY FOR- . EIGNERS. (Rec. February 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, Fobruary 1. An inquest was held in East London on eight Jews, mostly Russians, who wore suffocated in a stampede during Monday's air raid.' The police gave evidence that when tho warnings were fired, the foreigners in a, panic lushed the- shelter, though thero was ample timo for everyone to reach shelter. Many of those creating tho panio wero young men.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RAIDS INTO GERMANY A DAMAGING ATTACK (Rec. February 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 2. Tho Press Bureau gives the following details of the raids that wero made by tho Allied squadrons into Germany somo days ago:—"Large quantities of bombs were dropped on Treves, Thionville, and the Saarburg railway junction. Our airmen used their machineguns on villages in tho Moselle Valley, and also on trains and buildings in various placos. Tho naval air gunners simultaneously bombed the soda factory and docks at Mannheim and tho town at Thionville. Heavy explosions and fires resulted." —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. VISIT TO FRIEDRICfiSHAVEN. (Rec. February 2, 3.30 p.m.) Zurich, February 1. Two aviators bombed the Zeppelin works at Friedrichshaven for a period of twelve minutes.—Reuter.