THRILLING AIR BATTLE OVER THE THAMES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3104, 7 June 1917, Page 7

THRILLING AIR BATTLE OVER THE THAMES

RAIDING TAUBES HOTLY ENGAGED EY THE BRITISH ONE BROUGHT DOWN (Rec. June 6, 6.35 p.m.) London, June 5. Ad aeroplane raid is in progress over the Thames Estuary. Bombs were dropped in Essex and Kent.* One machine is reported to have been brought down. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn .-Renter. Later. It is estimated that fifteen aeroplanes participated in the raid. The German 'planes were mostly Taubes. flying at a great, height and dropping high-force explosive bombs. British anti-aircraft gnus and aviators hotly engaged the enemy. One was brought down and dropped into the sea. Crowds watched the thrilling air battle — United Service. THE LATEST REPORT The High Commissioner reports:— London, June, 6, 12.25 a.m. A British official report says: "This evening sixteen aeroplanes dropped bombs in the country and small towns in Essex, and attacked a naval establishment in the Jf.ed.way. Considerable damage was caused to house property, hut the naval and military damage, done was negligible. The raiders lost two machines, and made oft' seawards. The casualties so far leported arc two killed, two dangerously wounded,-and 27 wounded." WEATITEf? FAVOURED THE ENEMY. (Rco. June 6, 11.20 p.m.) London, June 6. t The weather conditions favoured the enemy's air fleet, which manoeuvred at a great altitude, seeking to penetrate inland under cover of light clouds. They worn quickly spotted, and the British aeroplanes engaged them in co-opera-tion with the land batteries. These defences wero sufficient, and the enemy only penetrated a few miles, dropped his bombs and fled at high speed—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.