AIR RAID DAMAGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4582, 4 July 1923, Page 3

AIR RAID DAMAGE.

LONDON’S LOSSES. The total number pf air raids, either .by Zeppelin or aeroplane, which were made on London in the course of the war was 25. They took place between May 31, 1915, and May 20, 1918, and resulted in the death of 521 people and injury to 1264 others. These are the official figures of the London Fire Brigade, and although their completeness presumably cannot be guaranteed they may certainly be taken as approximately Accurate. In the course of these raids 174 buildings were destroyed and 619 seriously damaged, involving a direct monetary loss of about £2,042,000. These figures are given in a publication of the British Fire Prevention Committee, which gives an interesting survey of the subject generally, together with illustrations and detail information in reference to some of the cases of damage. Although 524 deaths ani £2.042,000 worth of damage are serious items, which there is np value in minimising, it. may none the les,s be admitted that in view of the density of population and buildings on the area attacked th£ results from the point of view of the enemy were small. As pointed out in the record, the cases of direct damage to structures of national importance were rare, although as closely as can be estimated 355 incendiary and 567 explosive bombs were dropped. The British Fire Prevention Committee is naturally chiefly interested in the subject of its fire aspect, but the publication deals with the question of air raid shelters, and points out that an examination of the records shows that a series of floors of concrete, or reinforced concrete, affords very considerable protection, and,, indeed, on .the lower floors, absolute immunity against the average explosive bomb, and almost entire protection on any floor .against incendiary bombs.