APRIL FOOL’S DAY IN LONDON.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 80, 3 April 1916, Page 5

APRIL FOOL’S DAY IN LONDON.

HOW A GERMAN RAIDER WAS FOOLED. A BOMBING ZEPPELIN MEETS ITS WATERLOO. SPONTANEOUS OUTBURST OP DELIGHT IN LONDON. (Reed. 8.50 am.). LONDON, April 2. There was a striking transformation scene in Louden on Saturday foxenoon. Half the popu.ation were listening or recounting their experiences of the previous evening, when trains were stopped for several hours, and numerous other precautions were taken to baffle air raiders. Many people were marooned in the city and west eiders did not reach theii homes. The great topic changed magically at 11 o’clock, when a lumour was speeding everywhere that the Zeppelin had been downed. It seemed at fust that is was an April fools’ day joke, hut the newspapers emphasised the official nature of the news which soon banished all scepticism, with the result that there was the most remarkable d-utburst of spontaneous delight experienced in London for a long time. A THRILLING ZEPPELIN HUNT. BRITISH GUNS DOWN AN AIR MONSTER. TIE DIVES, DARTS AND SKULKS IN CLOUDLAND. SEARCHLIGHTS SUCCESSFULLY FOLLOW HIM. HE GETS AWAY BUT FALLS INTO THE SEA. FOUND BY A BRITISH STEAM TRAWLER. THE MEN ABOARD MADE PRISONERS. A DEJECTED GERMAN COMMANDER. MARCHED WITH HIS MEN TO BRITISH FORT. (Reed. 10.15 a.m.). LONDON, April 2. The same unconcealed delight occurred in the provinces, especially in 'he eastern counties. Eyewitnesses say there were three airships, one that was caught in the rays of searchlights emitted a cloud of thick vapour, and tried to dart away, but the searchlights were too quick for the ship and he emerged in a b'aze of light. He dived quickly, then darted up again into thin clouds and lay snug therein, apparently thinking he had shaken off the pursuing beams, continued dropping bombs Avhich suggested that- he was anxious to be relieved of weight. He went off slowly, many searchlights immediately being concentrated on him, and firing began. The first shots were excellently aimed. He darted into a cloud and out again as i ie rose a'mest perpendicular and was not seen again. The steam trawler Olivine, Lieut. Mackintosh, commander, saw the Zeppelin riding cn a smooth s«a at 3 30 in the morning, evidently sinking is the crew were on top of the As the Olivine was approaching the Germans signalled that they were willing to surrender. The trawler’s Commander hesitated, but took them aboard, later transferring them to a destroyer. Of IS that landed 10 were boofess, these vere conveyed to barracks in ambulances, which gave origin to a report that they''were wounded. The remainder Avere marched to the dockyard, strongly escorted by marines. The Commander is very young; he was profoundly dejected and hung his head throughout the march. He wore an iron cross. All were removed later to a fort. ( There is no doubt that the airship was severely damaged by gunfire, ■s it was stated that the crew drew lots as to who remain aboard and destroy th? ship as it was doomed to destruction, the junior officer was selected. Lloyd’s News says that 23 of the crew are missing, but boats searched the vicinity in vain. - V The Lord Mayor said a year ago be offered £SOO to the man or men who brought down a Zeppe, in in the United Kingdom, and hopes he wil have to pay.