MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE AIR RAID. LARGEST .SET SEEN. INTERESTING PARTICULARS. London, July 8. One party of the raiders crossed a south-east coast town unusually low but dropped no bombs. One raider returned seawards, and the remainder proceeded inland. T!io raid on London occurred about 10.30. The enemy squadron was one of the largest yet sighted in England. The British patrols became active as soon as the approach was signalled, and there were several duels over London. It is supposed that was the cause of the raiders' sudden change of course homewards. Large numbers of bombs were dropped. Three of the enemy group appeared to receive their first checks as they reached the inner northern district; the gunners found the range, and the machines began to waver and get out of line, and the squadron scattered some•what.

The crowds in the streets took the raid coolly, and watched until bombs began to drop, then they took cover. As soon as the [British machines arrived the enemy squadron quickened its pace, and the main body raced away leaving two machines in the rear. The latter were apparently engaged !by the British. The hazo prevented ?|eeing what happened, and soon/all were lost to sight. The bomb-dropping lasted two or three minutes. The inhabitants of a town in Kent, ten miles from London, had a fine view of the aerial battle. Firty aeroplanes were counted, divided into two squadrons. The larger enemy squadron held an eastward position with anti-aircraft shells bursting among them, while a smaller English squadron closed rapidly from the westward. Notwithstanding heavy shrapnel bursts the enemy appeared almost stationary for a tfew minutes. M the English drew nearer the enemy moved out of sight rapidly south-eastward with the English in hot pursuit. In the raid the enemy apparently approached the coast in two groups north and so.uth of the river and joined forces before reaching the metropolis. Ignoring gunfire en route, they sped towards the city. As a demonstration of well-directed aircraft the sight was splendid. The machines flew in a wideflumg crescent led apparently by a. single machine on a higher level than the" main body. Plying well north of the river, at a sign from the leader thev swerved southwards over the dens-est-part of London, and, flying low in fanlike formation, made a long sweeping curve and headed homewards, leav--1 ing a ftroad swath of damage in their 1 wake. Every vantage point despite the danger, was thronged with watchers of the combat, and there was a total absence of panic. By 11.15 the greatest air ibattle yet seen over British soil had ended.

Opinions vary greatly as to the nutn<ber which crossed the coast. One estimate is as high as 60. An Essex town reports that 22 were counted going to London and 32 returning. Duels were witnessed over Kent, where the British pursuers were reinforced by British pilots who mounted above the enemv firing downwards on them. 'As the river mouth was reached a strong tforce of British engaged 1 the raiders, who, after a fierce running Bwlvfc disappeared seawards. pay a unanimous tribute to the amazing daring of the raiders, who carried out their audacious nlans with the utmost coolness. It is believed that the entire souadron was comprised of the latest Albatross type, carrying three men and capable of a wonderful turn of speed and ability in fighting manoeuvres and carrying machine-guns j able to shoot in any direction. It was noticeable that citizens did not take former risks. The streets immediately threatened were almost deserted and'those which had been passed were instantanously thronged. Anti-German riots occurred in the evening in Hackney. A large body of men and women, the majority being women, formed a procession and attacked and dismantled several German "butchers' and delicatessen shops. They

smashed the windows, penetrated upstairs, threw furniture and pianos into the streets, set fire to the bedding in the middle of the roadway and threatened the aliens with violence. A strong posse of police quickly patrolled the •localities, but the excitement continues. Mr. Lloyd George, accompanied toy Lord French, Lord Milner, General Smuts and Mr. Barnes (Pensions Minister) to-ni»ht visited the bombed areas in the citv and East End. Crowds gathered in the wake of the party cheering and shouting ''Don't forget reprisals! Bombs tore off the corners of a grent Work off miblie buildings in a mam ■street They 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, including mire-netting, brick and woodwork and a tangle of telephone wires. The staff, aggregating thousands, including girls, were unhurt. The street was barricaded to enable the brigades to deal with fire, which broke out in the upper storey. The Lord Mavor of London, interviewed, said the raid ought to convince everybody that the case for reprisals has'lbeen enormously strengthened and ( that it had become a matter of urgency that the air forces should immediately act in accordance with the demand of the majority of the citizens. (Reuter)'. Mr. Joynson Hides on Monday iwill ask the (Premier to appoint a committee to inquire into the causes of failure to cope effectively with air raiders, and whether the Government will order punitive raids on German munition towns on the Rhine.

WHAT THE GERMANS CLAIM. Received July 9; 8.15 p.m. London, July 8. Our squadron yesterday freely bom- , barded the London docks, harbor works, and warehouses, fires and explosions being observed. One English aeroplaneJ was shot down. We also bombed Margate. Our aeroplanes returned, except one, which compulsorily descended into the sea.