BOMBING ESSEN.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1917, Page 4

BOMBING ESSEN.

•AVIATOR’S GRAPHIC STORY London, July 10 Reuter’s correspondent at French Headquarters sends a story of the bombardment of Krupp’s munition works, and the town of Essen, by Sergeant-Aviator Gallois, fan Friday. Gallon’s machine was one of a fleet of 84, which started simultaneously for various objectives behind the enemy front. All of them carried out tlieir missions, and i J e- j turned to the starting point, with the exception of two, within six hours from the time of departure. Gallois says: “We started at 9.20 iu the evening, four of us steering lor Essen. The flight Was dark.'and I soon lost sight of the others. The course lay over Metz, Thionville, and down the Moselle, towards Coblenz. The French batteries fired at me when I was traversing the line. .* “ At Metz the searchlights were playing, but I escaped without being detected. I continued steering by the compass towards Treves, where I heard my comrades bombing tlie town, aiid I knew I Was keeping iny .direction. UP THE RHINE. “ By-ftrid-bye I picked up the Rhine. The lhdoii Wfls Shining on the river. I fieW up-stream, past Benii arid Cologne, towards the Dusseldorf. Looking down on the German towns was like looking down on a sea of electric light. 1 was several times fired at by antiaircraft guns, especially at Cologne, where the shooting was uncommonly good.

'“As I approached Essen there was a broad band of light on the horizon. It seemed to be Several mileS ioiig, aiid southward 6F the town. There was another great belt of light from the iron and steel foundries. I arrived at Essen at a Height of 6600 ft, aiid chose a spot where the blaze of light from the factories seemed brightest. There I threw my cargo of bombs counting ten between each throw. Then I turned homeward, safely' travelling the same , route, though frequently fired at.”

Eighty-four machines participated in the operations. They distributed nearly seven tons of high explosive. Eleven of therii dropped tons on Treves. DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT Renter’s correspondent at Amsterdam forwards a Maastricht telegram to the effect that the Dutch paper “ Les Nouvelles,” announces tiidt Dutch workmen employed at Krupps’ were paid off on account of the destruction of buildings. It adds: “It is confirmed that in the attack by' Aliied aeroplanes aii Friday' night between 40 and 50 machines participated. Boiflbs Were dropped with such success that in one quarter a. hundred were killed, and several hundreds were injured. Material damage to the extent of £40,000 was done. THE SKV ABLAZE. / “Eye-witnesses say T that the defence guns made a terrific din. The sky was afire. Workshops were dosed at the beginning of the bombardment, and troops endeavoured to prevent a Women and children fled to the country. Atfloilg the Victims were French prisoners, five of whom were killed aiifl 40 injured.” Another Amsterdam message says that according to the reports which are trickling tlirbugh the German celisohsiiip, concerningthe raid, the first bombs fell at 2 o’clock iii the morning, near Alternratb, in the vicinity of Cologne, wrecking some houses. The inhabitants rtished for shelter. Shortly' afterwards a storm of fire broke Out fto ill the anti-aircraft gnus at Dusseldorf; Oberharisen, Essen, Mullieim, and elsewhere while searchlights swept t tie sky in aft directions. The greatest Secrecy is observed concerning tlie damage done, but travellers speak of the perturbation of.the local residents in consequence of the raid.