IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 9 July 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

ANOTHER GERMAN RAID. A FLEET OF 20 GERMAN AEROPLANES. METEOPOLITAN AREA BOMBED. LONDON, July 7. British official.—About $.30 this morning a considerable number of hostile aircraft, probably two parties, appeared over the Isle of Thanct and the east coast of Essex. After dropping bombs on Thanet, the raiders proceeded to London, moving parallel •with the north bank of the Thames, approaching London from the northeast. They then changed their courne and proceeded north and west, They crossed London from north-west to south-east. Bombs were dropped on various places in the Metropolitan area. The number of raiders is uncertain but there were probably about twenty.

Our artilery and a large number of aeroplanes attacked the raiders. Reports as to the results of the engagements, the damage done and the casualties have not yet been received. The Admiralty reports that naval aeroplanes engaged the returning raiding squadron forty miles off the coast Two enemy machines were observed to crash into the sea and a third fell in flames at the mouth of the Scheldt. All of ours returned. Another aeroplane was downed at the mouth of the Thames.

British official: The latest list of casualties as a result of to-day's air raid is 2S men, six women, and three children killed, and 74 men, 30 women, and 37 children injured. The Admiralty reports: Airmen at Dunkirk watching for the returning raiders, missed them, but encountered and destroyed three enemy seaplanes. They also downed four aeroplanes.

FURTHER PARTICULARS OP THE RAID..,: ■> 47 KILLED AND 141 INJURED. FOUR ENEMY MACHINES DOWNED. LONDON .July 7. The High Commissioner reports: AH a result of the air raid 47 persons were killed and 141 injured. Four raiding machines were downed, \ AERIAL BATTLE OYER LONDON. WATCHED BY LARGE CROWD. FIGHT OVER A KENTISH TOWN. OVER FIFTY MACHINES ENGAGED. Received 8.50 a.m. LONDON, July 8. One party of night raiders crossed a south-east coast town unusually low, and dropped bomos. One raider returned seawards, and the remainder proceeded inland. The raid on London occurred about 10.30. The enemy squadron was one of the largest yet sighted in England. British patrols became active soon as their approach was signalled, which is supposed to be the cause of the raiders' sudden change of course homewards.

Large numbers of bombs were dropped. Three of the enemy groups appeared to receive their first check as they reached the inner portion of the northern district. The gunners found the range, and the machines began to waver and get out of the line. The squadron scattered somewhat.

Crowds in the street took the raid coolly, and watched until bombs began to drop, and then took cover .

As soon as the British machines arrived the enemy squadron quickened their pace, and the main body raced away, leaving two machines in the rear. The latter apparently were engaged by the British, but a haze prevented the spectators seeing what had happened, and soon all were lost sight of The bombdropping lasted two or three minutes.

The inhabitants of a town in Kent, ten miles from London, had a fine* view of the aerial battle, in which fifty aeroplanes were counted, divided into two squadrons. The larger enemy squadron held on in an eastward position, anti-aircraft shells bursting among them, while the smaller English squadron closed rapidly from the westward. Notwithstanding the heavy shrapnel bursts the enemy appeared almost stationary for a few minutes. As the English drew nearer the enemy moved out of sight ,'rap'i|dl'y to the southeastward, with the English in hot pursuit.

GREATEST BATTLE YET SEEN OVER BRITISH SOIL. GERMAN FORMATION A- SPLENDID BIGHT. FIERCELY ENGAGED BY BRITISH AIRMEN. Received 9.5. LONDON, July 8. In the raid, the enemy Apparently approached the coast in two groups, north and south of the river, and joined forces before reaching the metropolis, ignoring gun fire en route, and sped citywards. As a demonstration of well-directed aircraft, the sight was splendid. The machines flew in a wide-flung crescent, led apparently ny a single machine on a higher level than the main body. Flying well north of the river, at a sigh from the leader they swerved southwards over the densest part of London. Flying low, in fanlike formation, they made a long, sweeping curve and headed homewards, leaving a broad swath of damage in their wake. Every vantage point, despite the danger, was thronged with Avatchers of the combat, and there was a total absence of panic. By 11.15 the greatest battle yet seen over British soil ended*. Opinions vary as to the number which crossed to the coast, one estimate being as high as sixty. An Essex town reports that twenty-two were counted going to London, and thirty-two returning. Duels were witnessed over Kent, where British pursuers, reinforced by British pilots, mounted above the enemy, firing downwards on them. As the river mouth was reached, a strong force of B'ritish engaged the raiders, who, after a fierce running fight, disappeared seawards.

AMAZING DARING OF RAIDERS. USING NEW TYPE OF MACHINE. A SCENE OF DEVASTATION. Received 11.40. LONDON, Jul*' 8. Londoners unanimously pay a tribute to the amazing daring of the raiders, who carried out their audacious plans with the utmost coolness. It is believed the entire squadron comprised the latest Albatross type, carrying three men, and capable of a wonderful turn of. speed and ability of fighting manoeuvres. The machine guns are able to shoot in any direction.

It was noticeable the citizens did not take former risks, as the streets immediately threatened were almost deserted, but those which were passed were instantaneously thronged. Anti-German riots occurred in the evening in Hackney.. A large body of men and women (the majority women) processioned and attacked and dismantled several German butchers' delicatessen shops, smashed windows, penetrated upstairs and threw furniture and pianos into the streets, and set fire to the bedding in the middle of the roadway. They threatened the aliens with violence. A strong posse of police quickly patrolled the localities. The excitement continues. Lloyd George, accompanied by Lord French, Lord Milner, General Smuts, and Mr. Barnes to-night visited the bombed areas in the city and East End. Crowds gathered in the party's wake, cheering and shouting: "Don't forget reprisals!" Bombs tore off the corner of a great block of public buildings in the Main Street, dislodged giant granite pillars, broke off huge masses of coping stones and window frames. The street is almost impassable owing to the heap of debris of wire netting, brick and woodwork, and the tangle of telephone wires. The staff, aggregating thousands, including girls, were unhurt. The street was barricaded to enable the brigades to deal with fire in the upper storey.

ON THE SEA. BRITAIN'S CONTROL OF THE SEA DESTROYED. SAYS A JAPANESE EXPERT. Received 8.45. WASHINGTON, July f. Commander Hedaka Kinga, a Japanese naval expert, declares that submarines have destroyed .Britain's absolute control of the seas, but has not enhanced Germany's sea power. IK CANADA CANADA'S CONSCRIPTION BILL. AMENDED IN COMMITTEE. Received 9.15. OTTAWA, July 8. The Conscription Bill has been amended in committee. It now provides that young married men will be called out before unmarried men over 35 years of age. The Government stated that men from 18 to 35 were found to form the best military service.