IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 7 June 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

AIR RAID ON ENGLAND BOMBS DROPPED IN ESSEX. LONDON, June 6. The High Commissioner reports: A British official report says: This evening 16 aeroplanes dropped bombs in the county and small towns in Essex and attacked a naval establishment in th e Medway. Considerable damage was -caused to house property, but the naval and military damage was negligible. The raiderq, losing two. machines, made off seawards. The casualties so far reported are two killed and two dangerously wounded, and 27 wounded. CROWDS WATCH THEILLING FIGHT. LONDON, June 6. It is estimated that 15 aeroplanes participated in the raid. They were mostly Taubes flying at a great height and dropping high force explosives. An-. ti-aircraft, guns and British aviators hotly engaged the raiders, one of which was brought down, dropping into the sea. Crowds watched the thrilling air battle. , , ' LATER DETAILS. "4 LONDON, Juno 6. Weather conditions favoured the enemy air fleet, which flew at a great altitude, seeking to penetrate inland under cover of light clouds, but were quickly spotted. British aeroplanes engaged them in co-operation with land batteries. The defences were sufficient and the raideTS only penetrated a few miles and dropped bombs, then fled at high speed.

GERMAN AND BRITISH OFFICIAL REPORTS. LONDON, Juno 6. The High Commissioner reports:— The Germains claim to have dropped five tons of bombs on Sheerness, good hits being observed. The British official report of the casualties in the raid gives: Killed 12, injured 26. The material damage was not great WHOLESALE DAMAGE AT OSTEND. Received 11.25. LONDON, June 6. The Admiralty photographic record of the reconnaissance over Ostend shows that yesterday's bombardment eithe& seriously damaged or totally destroyed the majority of the workshops "in the dockyard or they badly damaged. Tbe entrance gates to the dockyards, basin, wharf, and submarine shelters were also destroyed. We also sunk several vessels. A German communique, referring to yeterday's attack on Ostend, says many B'elgian civilians were killed and wounded. It admits some material damage and the loss of a torpedo boat. ON THE SEA. GREAT NAVAL BOMBARDMENT MOST FORMIDABLE OF WAR ZEEBRUGGE BADLY SMASHED LONGS'- 5. The Daily Telegraph correspondent says that the naval bombard ment was the most formidable during the war. It continuec* for 100 minutes. A large fleet with heavy artillery participated. Explosions and fires followed. The German batteries vigorously replied. A flotilla of German destroyers were anchored in Zeebruggc harbour, which severely. According to a German deserter Zee"bsuggc is in ruins.