RAID ON FOLKESTONE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1917, Page 9

RAID ON FOLKESTONE.

BO.UBS OF GREATER FORCE. DEMAND FOR, REPRISALS. ! London, May 27. Describing the raid on tho south-east of England on May 2>j, correspondents state that the raiders covered a wide I area, penetrating some distance inland, scattering bombs promiscuously. Eyewitnesses differ as to the actual number of machines in the raiding flotilla. It is variously estimated that there were between I*2 and 20? They passed over some areas without dropping bombs. One, travelling a great height over an inland town, dropped three bombs, killing h girl and injuring a woman. Then it flew off. Tt was subsequently seen to rejoin the other raiders. Correspondents say that the raid lasted 15 minutes. Tt was intensely violent. Many bombs fell on open spaces, otherwise the damage would have been heavier. The most significant feature was the terrific force of the . explosives. Tho damage was largely confined to three defined areita, where much life and property were destroyed. The most) pathetic feature was provided by mothers seeking their lost childran. One mother | was in a draper's shop when the raid occurred. Tier two children, who were outside, were killed.

The Daily Mail states that the sound and the effect of the explosive bombs suggest tljat the Germans either have found a new end more powerful explosive or are using larger bombs. The noise of the explosions was greater, and glass was broken at a. greater distance than in previous raids. Craters were made KNt deep and 2Sft wide.

The Times correspondent in a coast town states that the raiders flew at a great altitude, and. could be heard and not seen at first. Then they were visible in the bright sunlight. It was clearly .'mother baby and women-killing expedition, as no military damage was done. It is impossible to estimate the number of bombs thrown. It was a veritable shower.

The departing raiders were severely engaged over the Channel. An eye-wit-1 liess states that he heard heavy firing, and saw two peculiar-looking aeroplanes manoeuvring at a great height, with shells bursting all round them. One. machine nose-dived suddenly, as though hit. Later on heavy firing was hoard out at sea, as though the gunners on the French coast had attacked the raiders. Letters in the Umdon press urge infant reprisals. The London editor of the Amsterdam Telegraaf writes to The Times: —"As one who is acquainted with the mentality of the Germans, I know that force is the only argument they understand." The National News deplores the sickly sentimentality of the clergy and others who protest against reprisals.

"We must institute the severest reprisals for our own protection," the paper says.