RAID ON LONDON.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1917, Page 5

RAID ON LONDON.

GREAT AERIAL BATTLE. HEAVY MORTALITY AND INJURED ROLL. London, June 13. Fifteen hostile aeroplanes flying over the city were engaged in a great aerial battle.. There are 31 dead and 67 injured. Mr. Bonar Law informed the House of Commons that thirty-one persona had been killed in London and sixtyBeven injured. " One enemy aeroplane had already been 'brought down. A bo?nb struck a County Council school and ten children were killed and fifty injured. Wellington, June 14. The .High Commissioner reports under date London, June 13 (1.10 p.m.):— Official.—Fifteen hostile aeroplanes crossed the Essex coast in the vicinity of the Nore at 11 o'clock: this morning and proceeded towards London, separating half-way. The East End of London was bombed. There are no reports of the casualties or damage. The anti-air-craft defences of London were in action and a large number of aeroplanes are 61111* in pursuit. PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS. RAIDERS DRIVEN OFF, Received, June 14, 5.5 p.m. London, June 18. Hot, hazy weather provided perfect conditions for aeroplaning. Bombs were dropped promiscuously in different areas. One set an empty train afire. There was intense excitement, particularly in South London, where tho spectators witnessed aerial combats. Finally the raiders were driven oft. RAIDERS FLY HIGH. STREETS DENSELY PACKED. PEOPLE SHOW SPLENDID SPIRIT. (Received June W., 5.5 p.m. London, June 13. Twelve or thirteen aeroplanes reached the coast of the North Foreland and crossed Essex. Thirteen bombs fell in the city. All the anti-aircraft guns and defences in the areas affected were in action. The gunners at first experienced difficulty in locating the raiders, who flew very high, owing to the mist and low-lying clouds. The brilliant sunshine also made marksmanship difficult, but afterwards they got in good work. The first intimation of the raid: in the city was the noise of the guns and the dense masses of smoke rising from various points where 'bombs had fallen. The streets were soon densely crowded with onlookers. Some of the women were inclined to be hysterical. There was a local panic for a tew moments, but , the majority of the people showed a splendid spirit. The police and soldiers handled the situation with commendable promptitude. The King, immediately ,'he heard of the raid, visited the affected areaß in a motor-car and tho wounded in the hospital. The Taiders never descended below 17,000 or 18,000 feet. Besides hitting an East End school, where ten children were killed, bombs fell within twenty yards of the school, where there were a thousand children. They had 'been drilled to meet such an emergency, and all got under their desks and remained there till the teacher read a story after the raid. Tlta raiders were seen passing the coast going towards Germany and were chased, but the clouds assisted them to escape. In tile House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law- stated that the raid casualties were estimated at between 80 and 90 killed and 400 injured. He also announced a serious munitions explosion at Ashton-under-Lynne, there being a number killed or injured. / BOMBS FALL IN SUCCESSION. SEVERAL ENGAGEMENTS. Received June 14, 7 p.m. London, June 14. Official: Bombs were first dropped in the outskirts ,of the East End of London at 11.30. Numerous 'bombs fell in rapid succession in tho East End, One fell on a railway station, hitting an incoming 'train. Seven were killed and 17 injured. Here another fell on a school, killing 10 children and injuring 50. A number of warehouses were damaged and fires caused. The casualties reported in tho London area are 41 killed and 121 injured. The final fighrcs may bo greater. A few bombs, were dropped near tho north Foreland and on the opposite bank of the Thames, where four were injured. The raid lasted fifteen minutes. In London the guns engaged the raid-) ci's. and many aeroplanes, naval and military, mounted as soon as the enemy was reported off tho coast. Several engagements occurred, but the results at present are uncertain. A HEAVY LIST 97 DEAD; 439 WOUNDED. Received June 14, C.lO p.m. London, June 13. Official: The casualties as a result of tho air raid now total 55 men, 16 women and 26 children killed; 223 men, 122 women, and 94 children injured. There was no military nor naval damage. Apparently only five raiders reached London One group determinedly returned after being chased off..

HEARTRENDING STORIES. THE ATTACK ON THE LITTLE CHILDREN. BRAVE SCHOOL TEACHERS. Received June 14, 10.55 p.m. London, June 14. Eight of the raiders were clearly seen following the course of the Thames, three flying on the south side. The majority of the deaths took place in East London, the children, including ■ two mutilated bahies, 'being unidentified. '. 'A bomb killed an entire family. The father was nursing a baby three days old beside the convalescent mother. The house was wrecked. Another story of the school catastrophe says that terrible scenes were witnessed. Teachers were about to dismiss the children for lunch when a bomb fell squarely on the roof. There was only a small hole, hut the full explosion took place within the room. The children screamed and fainted. The teachers bravely strove to pacify their little charges. One teacher was badly wounded. The remainder stuck to their posts, some rendering first aid and pthers taking the uninjured to .safety. ' Soldiers assisted in removing the injured in waggons to the hospital, writhing in pain and moaning piteously. Many died on the desks. The dead had terrible wounds.. Mr. Will Crooks, M.P., iwas a hundred yards from the school when it was bombed. He threw himself on the ground and escaped injury. Mr. Crooks is astonished that any child survived. The four walls were Mown out, the desks and seats being atomised. The train bombed on arriving at the station was quickly alight. There were many casualties. The station was barri- [ eaded, and the work of rescue and the removal of tlu dead was carried out rapidly. Several of the dead were unrecognisable. The suburban trains resumed within an hour. Several aerial torpedoes were discharged. One crashed into tea blending stores, killing six girls and seriously injuring sixteen, BLOCK OF OFFICES DEMOLISHED. SEVERAL KILLED AND BURIED IN THE DEBRIS. Received June 15, 12.5 a.m. London, June 14. 'A homb demolished a block of offices. All the floors were wrecked, and a dozen persons were killed, including two who were ordered to go to the basement and who went into the street instead. One i lost an arm and the other both of his t legs. Both died a few moments afterwards. Several were buried in the , upper floors. A bomb falling in a workshop killed three and injured (thirty. "IT MAKES ONE'S BLOOD BOIL" ' THE ICING'S BITTER EXCLAMATION. ' HISTORIC BUILDINGS NARROWLY i SUSSED. United Service. Received June 15, 12.15 a.m. London, Juno 14. Viewing the dead bodies of women and children in the mortuary, the King bitterly exclaimed: "It makes one's blood boil! They will do anything!" • I. Bombs missed two historic London 1 buildings by a few yards. AS TED HUNS SEE IT. \ Received June 14, 6.M p.m. Amsterdam, June 13. 1 The Berliner Morgenpost, in a heavy ' type headline, announces the flight of 1 the English Government from London.