AIR RAID ON KRUPPS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 14 December 1916, Page 2

AIR RAID ON KRUPPS.

DETAILS OF GREAT EXPLOIT. FLAMES BURST FROM FACTORIES The following are further details of the French air raid on Essen: — The two French aviators, Captain de Bcauchamp and. Lieut. Dancourt, who had been selected to bombard the factories at Essen, were provided with machines which had been carefully overhauled. The start, however, which was to have taken place on September 14, was postponed until September 24 on account of the rain.

The two aviators loft with a few minutes interval between them, and then soon rejoined each other when they had reached a certain height, and flew in a northerly direction. The time of their departure was 12.15 p.m. The weather was fine, and the chief features of the country could be read like a map. The aviators followed the Moselle and reached Treves. Leaving Coblenz on their right and avoiding the large towns they crossed the. Rhine north of Remagen.

1 The plan of the journey had provided • at this point for a possible change of direction. If their objective, Essen, had seemed impossible to reach they were then to have bombarded the railway station at Cologne. But all went well, and already Essen was becoming visible in the distance. Two Miles a Minute. The aviators flew over the town at two o 'clock, having travelled 220 miles in 1 hour and 45 minutes. The machines were then at a height of 13,000 feet. The weather was fine and clear. The aviators threw their bombs with great precision,, for they soon saw bright sparks bursting forth. This was followed by a column of smoke, while the aviators circled over the factories without being hit by a single shot. The return voyage was easily accomplished.. The aviators saw near the river the bright town of Liege. The road was clear, an dthey returned in safety. Before coming to earth Captain do Beauchamp looped the loop. On descending the avjiators. v dcc\ared that they were delighted with their trip.