IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

ANOTHER RAID ON LONDON. ON LARGE SCALE.; •A DETERMINED ATTACK. London, Nor. 1. The Press Bureau reports that aircraft crossed the south-oast coast in relays between 10.45 and 11.30 last night, travelling to London. The rain continues. Official.—Hostile aircraft determinedly and repeatedly attacked London last night. The first group crossed the Kent coa6t at 10.45. but did not penetrate far inland. They turned eastward and dropped bombs on various places in the vicinity of the coast. Meanwhile two more groups were steerin- for London along the sonth hank of the' Thames. Low thin 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 dropped. A fourth group, coming along the Thames Estuary, was turned back half way to London.

Meanwhile a fifth group crossed the Essex coast at 12.15 in the morning and steered for London along the northern "lank of the Thames. The outer defences turned them back, but some, one or more, penetrated the south-east of London and dropped bombs. A sixth group followed the same course a quarter of an hour later. Some penetrated south-east London and dropped bombs. One or more machines meanwhile were bombing the south-western outskirts.

Gunfire dispersed a seventh group before it reached the outer defences. Individual raiders attacked the Kent coast between midnight and 1.30 in the morning.

Each group consisted of three to four machines, and the total number of raid' ers was aboui 30. Only three penetrated to the heart of London. Gunfire harassed the raiders and our aircraft also attacked theni; It is believed that Lhe casualties and damage are light, considering the nature of the attack.

CASUALTIES LIGHT. 8 KILLED; 21 WOUNDED. London, Nov, 1. Official.—The total casualties in alt •districts from last night's air raid were 8 killed and 21 wounded. The material damage was very slight. No naval, military or munitions establishment was damaged. All our machines are safe. ENEMY AERODROME BOMBED. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Renter. Received Nov. 2, 7.45 p.m. London, Nov, 1. The Admiralty reports that naval aircraft bombed the Sparappelhoek aerodrome, and conducted many offensive patrols.