LONDON’S MR RAID.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1917, Page 3

LONDON’S MR RAID.

A THRILLING DESCRIPTION.

-BY GERMAN COMMANDER

(Per Press Association. —Copyright.)

(Received This Dav at 10.15. a.m.) NEW YORK, July 2.

The ‘Times’’ has received a cable from Berlin by the commander ot me recent aid raid on London. lie gives a thrilling description of the cur fights with the British aviators. He states that the German aeroplanes flow with bursts of Alamos and explosions all round. While the commander claims that the raid was a success, ho admits the great dash and gallantry of the British airmenThe commander says:—

“We left homo at ten in the morn--1 ing and approached the English cuasu through a bank of clouds. Leaving Sheerness we flew straight (towards London“ißy now the British ' shells had reached our altitudes, so wo climbed higher, following the. windings of the Thames. , “As the cloud banks rolled away we saw our goal' namely, London’s sea of houses, and then, far below, tho first of England’s pursuing machines. “Little clouds of cotton, seemingly by magic, appear in our path. “Those are exploding slie(ls and multiply with astounding rapidity. “We jlew through them till we saw the- Thames bridge, Tower of London, and the Bank of England.

HOW WE OPENED FIRE,

a terrific' spectacle

the GALLANT DEFENDERS

(Received This Dav at 11.25. a.m.) NE WYORK, July 2. Continuing his account, tho commander said: “It is now time t° attack, and • push the levers, and anxiously follow thp flight of the bombs ns they strike. “It° js a magnificently terrific spectacle. “From mid-air, the earth seems to rock and houses seem to disappear incraters.

“Meanwhile, projectiles from the defence guns are exploding and spluttering all round. Onr escapo seems miraculous.

“English air-fleets suddenly appear ahead blocking our return and aeronlanes apoear. on each side, above and below. As all started firing, tbo noiso is terrific. “The machines opened fire motres.

“One Englishman was particualrly brave and tenacious, and gave us no rest. Ho kopt up an incessant riinning fir 0 for ton minutes, his bullets showering all. round our heads, and cutting through the planes till at a whole sheaf of shots enteren i>*» body, and bis machine fell.” The narrative is a remarkable admission of the terrific nature of the British defence fire, showing the rango was accurate, and British aviators in largo numbers quickly mounted to repel the attacks. Tho narrative does not claim military works as tbe objectives.