IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

THE AEROPLANE RAID. i A CHEAT HAIi'IAGE. London, Dec 10. Oflicial: Aeroplanes crossed the Kent mul Kssox coasts at (Mr, i„ (he evening. Sonic rcaciicd the London district and dropped bom'.,-. They also bombed Kent and Kss-x. The report of casualties and damage nns not been received. Our guns and aeroplanes engaged the enemy. Sudden gunfire announced' the raid to most Londoners. It was jrr.t at iiie time when most shops and businesses were closing and the theatres and musichalls opening. The barrage immediately put up was marked by three spells of intense cannonading, which swept the skies with shrapnel. It was a new moon and a st-nrlit, cloudless night. Occasionally two or three searchlights were put up to assist the gunners. Many heard the Gothas plainly in the intervals of the shelling. The Londoners quickly obeyed the orders to take cover. THREE CROUPS OF RAIDER*. TWO BROUGHT DOWN. ■ Received Dec. 20, 5,5 p.m. London, Dec. 1,9. Official: Sixteen to twenty aeroplanes participated. Three groups of raiders crossed the Kent coast and three other groups the Essex coast, all making, for London. Gunfire turned back most, but five reached "London and dropped bombs between seven and eight o'clock. After the main attack a single raider (lew over the city at nine o'clock One raider was brought down by gunfire off the Kent coast and two of the crew were captured alive. AnJither is supposed to have fallen in the Channel. The casualties and tho damage in London have not yet been ascertained. Bombs were also dropped in Kent and Essex. United Service. Coastal guns attacked the returning raiders and brought one down in the sea. Two airmen were rescued. 10 KILLED AND 75 INJURED. MATERIAL DAMAGE XOT SERIOUS. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc and Router. Received Dec. 20, 745 p.m. London, Dec. 19. Official: As the result of the air raid 10 persons were killed and 70 injured in London, and five injured elsewhere.' The material damage was not serious. There worn several fires, but no naval or military damage was caused.