THE CUXHAVEN RAID

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 99, 29 December 1914, Page 5

THE CUXHAVEN RAID

MOST THRffLLjfNG INCIDENT. Press Association —Copyright. (Recti. 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 28. The “Times,” in a leader, says the Cuxhaven raid was the most thrilling incident of the war. The attack was unique. That some damage was done is more than probable, but the moral effect is of larger importance. Instead of Zeppelin raids noon our fleet, the tables are turned. German squadrons will no longer think themselves secure in their harbours, behind their fortifications, from a visit from our naval biplanes. The bombing of the airshed at Brussels way another brilliant performance. Our young air service is rapidly adding new glory to our arms. GERMANS SURPRISED BRITISH CRUISERS IRREPRESSIBLE. (Reed. 9.15 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Dec. 28, There is much criticism of the failure of German minefields to keep out British cruisers from the Heligoland Bight. CAUSING GERMAN EXCITEMENT. DAMAGE BELIEVED TO BE GREAT. (Reed. 9.15 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Dec. 28. Advices from Berlin state the Cuxhaven raid i s causing the greatest ox-, aitement in Germany. The damage is believed to be great, although official !v minimised. The general opinion is ■hat Britain is beginning a new policy of aerial attack with a view to a decisive naval engagement. CUT AND RUN GERMAN RAIDS CONTRASTED. (Reed, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 28. Mr Hewlitt, sen of Maurice Hewlett, Hie novelist (the latter’s wife is a well-known airwoman who obtained a certificate as an aviator in 1910, and tutored her son by flying newspapers) leseribed the air-seaflght at Cuxhaven is one of the most thrilling incidents mice the war commenced. Success of British arms in such close proximity o the Kiel Canaj is a contrast to the hree hours’ challenge with the German cut and run raids on English watering places. He considers it most laving and mm-t effective reply to German abortive attack* on Dover and Sheerness. A FANTASTIC FIGHT. SEAPLANES, SUBMARINES AND CRUISERS. BRITISH LOSE FOUR SEAPLANES AND ONE AVIATOR. LONDON, Dee. 28. Tho Admiralty announce that a light cruit.er and a destroyer with a force of submarines escorting seaplanes, took part in the Cuxhaven raid. They avoided the German seaplanes and submarines attacking from Heligoland. The Arthusa’s guns put Zeppelins to flight. They were three hours off Cuxhaven and were not molested by any surface vessels. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. WELLINGTON, Dec. 28. The Prime Minister has received the following from the High Commissioner: LONLON, Dee. 28. The Admiralty announces that on Friday the Geramn warships in the Sehilly roads, Cuxhaven, were attacked by seven British seaplanes. The attack began at daylight. The seaplanes were escorted by a cruiser, a destroyer force and some submarines. On being sighted the ships were attacked from Heligoland by two Zeppelins, four seaplanes and several submarines. A novel combat ensued. By swift manoeuvring the enemy’s submarines were avoided, and the two Zeppelins fled before the guns of the Undaunted and the Arethusa. The enemy’s seaplanes dropped bombs harmlessly, near the British ships. After three hours, three airmen with machines were safely re-embarked, while three others whose machines were sunk re-embarked on the submarines. The fate of one airman only is unknown. The damage has not been estimated. All the bombs were discharged at points of military significance. FlißlUPli m-I AILS. BRITISH SINK THEIR OWN SEAPLANES. LONDON, Dec. 28. (Official). —The seaplane attack open reel in daylight in the Sehillig Roads, close to Cuxhaven, It started near Heligoland, whence the Germans attacked the Arethusa and the Undaunted with two Zeppelins, four seaplanes, and several submarines. The Britishers were obliged to wait till the British seaplanes returned and engaged the Geramn aircraft and submarines. They easily drove off the Zeppelins and avoided the submarines by swift manoeuvring, but the seaplanes dropped bombs near the British ships without hitting them. Out of seven airmen, the

British ships picked up throe with their machines, and. the submarines picked up three and sank the machines as arranged. Hewlett's machine was sighted wrecked eight miles from Heligoland. His fate is unknown, GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. THREE BRITISH SHIPS BOMBED.AMSERDAM, Dee. 28. An official report from Berlin states that hydro-aeroplanes atacked our estuaries and attempted to bomb some anchored ships and the gasometer at Cuxhaven, but did not hit them, and disappeared westward. German airships and aeroplanes bombed two British destroyers and a convoy vessel. An outbreak of fire was obsierved on the latter, but the mist prevented further engagements.