DISASTROUS AIR RAID FOR THE GERMANS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2942, 30 November 1916, Page 5

DISASTROUS AIR RAID FOR THE GERMANS

TWO ZEPPELINS DESTROYED FLAMING DESCENT CHEERED BY THOUSANDS CBj Telegraphs-Press Association— C'-ryright). London, November 28, 11.20 a.m. Viscount French reports—"Two Zeppelinß were brought down during aa sir-raid on the north-east coast of England last night. The damage done by the Zeppelins'appears. to have been slight." Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. . London, November 28. . : Official. —"An aeroplane Brought down the first airship at 11.45 p.m. The second did not reach the coast before daybreak, and moved at a blow speed, which was increased after passing the gunfire of tho land defences, which claim a hit." "Last night's air raid caused very slight casualties and damage. Over a hundred bombs were dropped. On© woman died of shock; and five men, seven women, and iour children were injured. Fifteen houses iu ons town were seriously damaged, and twenty were slightly damaged. Elsewhere tho damage was insignificant, and nothing of military importance was effected." FURTHER DETAILS. London, November 28. Iu last night's raid bombs were dropped in Yorkshire and Durham. An airship was brought down in flames off the Durham coast. Another airship dropped bombs on the North Midland counties. It was ropeatedly attacked by aeroplanes and the guns, and appeared to be damaged, but apparently succeeded in effecting repairß near the Norfolk coast. The airship then proceeded east at high speed, but was attacked nine miles out at a height of eight thousand feet _by four naval aeroplanes_ and an armed trawler, and was brought down in flames at 6.46 this morning. The Zeppelin on the north-east coast was hit by the guns five minutes after being picked up by the searchlights. Thousands of spectators cheered frantically when the blazing monster, tho light of which was visible for over thirty miles, fell into the sea. The other Zeppelins in this district were apparently driven off by gunfire. _ They were compelled to drop their bombs in outlying and unprotected districts. THRILLING SPECTACLE FOR EYE-WITNESSES FIERCE DUEL IN THE SKY London, November 28. . in Norfolk state that the destroyed Zeppelin was travelling at tremendous speed, at an altitude of 9000 feet. As it approached the coaßt in'a last desperate attempt to get to sea, a naval aeroplane closed iu on its victim. A ding-dong struggle ensued._ > For a brief period it seemed that fortune was favouring tho raider. Rising higher and higher, the airship passed the coast defences. The aeroplanes, however, continued to pursue it, whilo tho naval guns poured in a pitiless fire. Suddenly the guns coased. Tho spectators on shore watched with breathless oxcitement, and two aeroplanes were observed manoeuvring alongside the airship. It was soon evident that its fate was sealed. ■ A sheet of flame appeared at the Btern of the Zeppelin, and travelled rapidly from point to point, and soon enveloped the airship. Whirling Mass of Flames. A moment later the airship, a mass of flames, broke in two, and dashed downwards into the sea. The spectators were unable to restrain their joy, and wild cheering broke out. Meanwhile destroyers and other _ craft raced to the scene in tho hopo of rescuing the crew, and remained in the vicinity for some hours. There is no doubt the Taider was one of'the_ largest type. The destruction of the Northumberland raider was visible from_ several northern towns. The gunfiro brought the people out of their beds into tho strets, and they saw the searchlights focus ou tho Zeppelin. Soon a bright glow in the sky descended into the sea. The townsfolk made a tremendous, ovation in the crowded streets, the people cheering and'the sirens of the shipping shrieking triumphantly. HEAVY BLOW TO GERMAN HOPES. CReuter's Teleeram,) v London, November 28. The result of the air raid is a heavy blow to Gorman aspirations. It showed .that London is not tho oniy place immune from attack. Germany for the first time, has got some idea of the great improvement of British anti-aircraft dofonees, and is compelled to realise tlio great risk of further "frigbtfulness." GERMAN AEROPLANE DROPS SIX BOMBS FOUR WOMEN INJURED Auslraltan-Ncw Zealand Cable Association. '■ London, November 2S. A German seaplane, at h great height, dropped a bomb on a London suburb at midday. Offioial. —"A hostilo aeroplane dropped six bombs on London. Four women were injured seriously. The damage dono was slight." (Aust.—N.Z. Cable Arrii, ntvl Tleuter.l (Rec. November 29, 3.35 p.m.) London, November 28. Later reports slate that, tho aeroplane bombs injured nine persons. THE RAIDER BROUGHT DOWN. (Roc. Novembor 29, 10.50 p.m.) . „, „,.,,,, , ± „ , London, November 29. The Admiralty Commodore at Dunkirk has been informed by the French authorities that they brought down an aeroplane at 2.15 p.m.'on Tuesdav with two naval lieutenants on hoard. They had n largo scale map of London in their possession.

A QUESTION. IN PARLIAMENT. i Anstralian-New Zealand Cable Association. T ~ TI ' London, November 28. in tUe House of Commons, Mr. Gilbert asked whether the raider which attacked London was disguised as a British aeroplane, or was a British war aeroplane that had been captured from tho British. Mr. H. W. Forster (for tho War Office) declined to answer.