OYER LONDON.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15393, 25 September 1915, Page 12

OYER LONDON.

GERMAN ACCOUNT OF A ZEPPELIN RAID, SEARCHLIGHTS AND GUN-FIRE.

(Received September 24th. 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, September 24. The "New York World" publishes the following description of the London air raid by Zeppelin-Commander Mathy:— "It was a clear, moonless night. Distances in tho sky were illusive, and it was difficult to find tho range, but our instruments told us our exact height. Our most important guides wero tho silver surface of tho Thames and the London glow, which was visiblo at a distance of thirty-seven miles. The English can never eradicate the Thames from which wc can always pick up any point. London, although darkened, gavo sufficient glow to enable straight steering to bo made until tho city was outlined still and silent below. The darkest spots stood out in contrast to tho blaze of lights in other portions, mostly residential. 'We were after tho darker spots. "Searchlights suddenly flashed as if the dead city had come to life, and was waving its arms around tho skv and sending out feelers for tho danger which was threatening. Our height made effective anti-aircraft rangefindmg impossible. Thcro was military justification for bombing in a battery screened near St. Paul's, but we abstained, not desiring to damage tho Cathedral. We endeavoured to bomb the lower bridge, but were not certain of the result. We never encountered an aeroplane, but the British anti-aircraft gunners wero always ready. "Our motor propellers soon revealed our presence. First ono and then anothor of those ribbons shot out from the glaring eye-liko searchlights and picked us up. Later, little flashes of fire burst from the black background, and there came the sound of guns. It was a "beautiful and impressive picture from above, and was probably equally interesting below, with tho dim, greyish outline of tho Zeppelins gliding through tho waving ribbons of light and tho shapnel clouds. But we had no time to admire tho picture, for we knew that at any momont we might go plunging below, a shapeless mass/of wreckage and unrecognisable bodies. "I picked tip St. Paul's, where there was a' big searchlight,- and laid my course for the Bank of England Above tho Bank I shouted to my lieutenant : 'Fire slowly!' Mingling with the vivid flashes of the guns came explosions and bursts of flame duo to our bom be. . 1 drooped several bombs on Holborn Viaduct. From the Bank I went to tho Tower I believe we were successful in bombing the Tower Bridge. Flashes from the Tower of London showed that there were guns there, as I had observed during a previous attack. Arriving directiy over Liverpool street Station, I ehouted: 'Rapid fire I' and tho lieutenant rained down bombs, -i could fceo that they hit well, and apparently caused great damage. Flames burst out in several places. "Having dropped all the bombs, I turned the airships homewards. Despite the bombardment, we were not hit. Our main attack lasted ten minutes, and finished at eleven o'clock. The Zeppelin ascended and descended until it found a favourable- wind, and then made a quick return." Mathy is 34 years old, and formerly commanded a destroyer; The present was his hundredth vovaeo in a Zeppelin. his voyages including several to England. He says: "Thero is not an officer or man In the Aerial Fleet who does not feel deeply when he learns that women and children have been killed. I would rather fight aboard a tornedo craft than attack a city from tho air." His chief impression of the air is speed and intense cold when from three to five thousand feet np. When asked the height from which ho had bombed London. Mathy rp*n«ed to give tho English the range. "They are doing well enough, and learning fast. If Mr Balfour had stood bv my .side he would have seen the flashing of guns and would not have denied that London was a defended city." Tlie Press Bureau oasees this account with the comment that it contains numerous untruths, nntnblv that a hatter^ wns stnt'OTTd nnrlor St. Peril's. TM« statement can only be characterised as a falsehood invented for the purpose of excusing what the raiders were attempting to do.