IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 November 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

ARRIVE IN RELAYS. Received 10.5. LONDON, Nov. 11. The Press Bureau reports that aircraft crossed the south-east coast of England in relays between 10.45 and 11.30 last night, "travelling towards London. The raid continues LATER PARTICULARS. THIRTY MACHINES TAKE PART. FEW GET INTO LONDON. ' Received 10.50. LONDON, Nov. 1. An officii-.: report states tint hostile :.-.;ra.t't determinedly end repeatedly ..■.ttacked London last night The first group crossed the Kentish coast, at ii. 45 but did not penetrate far inland. It turned eastward and dropped bombs in various places in the vicinity of the coast Meanwhile two more groups came, steering for London along the south bank of the Thames. The Jowness of the clouds rendered observation difficult, nevertheless the altitude of the raiders was calculated and they were broken up by our barrage on the south-eastern outskirts, where bombs were stopped A fourth group coming along the Thames estuary was turned back while half-way to London. Meanwhile coast at 12,15 in the morning and steered for London aloug the north bank of the Thames. An outer defences turned back some, but one or more penetrated to the south-east of London and dropped bombs. A sixth group followed the same course a quarter of an hour later, some penetrating to the south-east. of London and dropped bombs.

Ten or more machines were meanwhile bombing the south-western' outskirts. Gunfire dispersed the seventh gruop before reaching the outer de.fences. Individual raiders attacked the Kentish coast, betw r een midnight and 1.30 in the .morning. Each group consisted of from three to four machines. The total number of taiders being about thirty of which only three penetrated the heart' of London Gunfire 'karrassed the raiders and our aircraft also attacked them. It is; believed the casualties and damage'are 'ligfit cons:derihg--' the* nature of . the*attack.' ' ■'•' ■'"''"' ' '-''• ' -' '-" v; ' I '"

LONDON'S ' A NTi-iA.I RCRAFT DEFENCES. '" '■ s ' ''•■'■•■■ /.•■.•.' , -j, LONDON, Nov 1. Mr Macpherson stated'that London possessed guns able, to effectively shell Zeppelins at ,jtheir maximum height. .f.. ~; ~ ~ ~.. : i(1 •; . BRITISH AERIAL ACTIVITy. ~ . ..; '\ November !1.. The Admiralty reports: The ~ ] Air Service \on Monday night raided -Sparappclhoek and Varssenaere aerodrome Visibility was excellent and the shooting accurate. All returned. ANOTHER RAID ON GERMANY LONDON, November 1. Sir Douglas Haig reports. Bombing scpuadrons at night-time dropped two tons of explosives, on Roulers and Ingleinunstcr stations, moving trains, and billets. Our machines attacked the steelworks and station at Volklinger ■ in Germany, with excellent results. Direct hits were made on a furnace and power-house, and a train. The weather was brilliantly fine at the outset, but turned later to raia and snow. One machine has not returned.