IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1918, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

THE AIR RAin BOMB STRIKES A SHELTER. ■SCENE OF INDESCRIBABLE HORROR. London, Jan. 30. When the raid was at its worst a bomb dropped on a large establishment used as a raid shelter in a district thickly populated. There is no exact estimate of tlie number of persons who were taking shelter. It varies from 300 lo 1000. The staff state that it was capable of holding a thousand unit was crowded. Firemen who assisted in removing th.> bodies declare that the brigade removed about 25 during the night and it is believed 13 others have since been recovered, It was a brick building and looks as if it had been cut in half by a huge guillotine, tlie interior walls and floors then collapsing. The police and fire brigade assert that it is impossible even yet to give a reliable estimate of tlie deaths, but it is certain that the majority were women and children. None of the survivors seem able to give a coherent account of the terrible ensuing scene. It was a scene of indescribable horror to which fire gave the last touch. The basement was a raging inferno within a tew minutes. Fire brigades, police, soldiers and civilians did what men could to rescue the survivors, but many of the injured must have perjabed in the flames, j The building was soon aflame from top to bottom and daybreak found it a smoking ruin. About a hundred employees were working when the alarm was given. They assisted those sheltering to the baßement and tended those needing attention during the raid. Many of these employees are among tlie casualties. Many who had left the shelter during a lull in the barrage flocked back wlien the guns resumed, announcing that the air attack was being renewed. The bomb dropped almost immediately. THE OFFICIAL REPORT ENEMY'S PERSISTENT ATTACKS. Received Jan. 31, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 30. 'Official: About fifteen hostile aeroplanes delivered a number of attacks against London. None penetrated the capital. A group crossed the Ista of Thanet and proceeded to London, but our" guns turned them back. Simultaneously three or four crossed the Essex coast, but failed to penetrate the outer defences. A singlo aeroplane later passed round the north and west of London and dropped bombs on the southern outskirts. Simultaneously another bombed the north-eastern outskirts, where there were no casualties or damage. Later, gunfire turned back others between London and Kent and Essex coasts, where three or four were engaged. ■ The enemy made a final attack between 10.30 and midnight, which was equally unsuccessful. There were a few casualties in the south-eastern outskirts. Our aeroplanes engaged the enemy machines. AH of ours returned. THE LONDON DEFENCES. DIFFICULT TO PIERCE. London, Jan. 30. Tuesday night's raid proved that London is growing increasingly difficult to approach. The Gotlias attempted to pierce the fierce barrage, but most of the gunfire was distant, showing that the enemy had 'been worsted and, finally foroed to accept the inevitable, was fly-1 ing seaward. FAIRLYi LIGHT CASUALTIES. Received Jan. 31, 10.25 p.m. London, Jan. 30. Tho Press Bureau states that three were killed and ten injured in yesternight's air raid"! It is feared six other bodies were buried in the wreokage of a house.