THE AIR ATTACK ON LONDON

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3127, 4 July 1917, Page 7

THE AIR ATTACK ON LONDON

STORY BY THE GERMAN' COMMANDER TERRIFIC BRITISH FIRE ADMITTED New York, July 2. The "New i'ork Times" reports vhat a special cubic messugo from Berlin, by tiiu commander of cue recent "air raid on London, thrillingly describes the air fights with 'the British aviators, it states mat tho German, aeroplanes Slew in bursts of flame, with explosions all around thorn. While tho commander claims that the raid was a success, he admits tho great dash and gallantry of the British airmen. "Wo left home," he says, '.'at 10 in the morning, and appruached tho English coast through .a bant of cloud. .Leaving Shoemcss, wo ilow straight towards London. A'ow the liritish siiells reach our altitudes, and wo climb higher, following tiio windings of tho Thames. As the cloud-bauk rolls away we see our goal, London's sea of houses. Then, far below, appeal's tho first of England's pursuing machines. Little clouds, like cotton, seemingly by magic, appear in our path. These are exploding shells, and tuey multiply with astounding rapidity. We fly through them till we see the Thames bridges, tho Tower of London, and the Bank of England. It is now tho time to attack. I push tho levers, and anxiously follow the flight of bombs. As they strike it is a magnificently terrific spectacle. Prom mid-air, the earth seems to rock, and houses seem to disappear in the craters. "Meanwhile, the projectiles from 'tho defence guns are oxploding and spluttering all round: Our escape seems miraculous. English fliers suddenly appear ahead, blocking our return. Aeroplanes appear on each side, above and below. As all start firing the noise is .terrific. The machiucs open fire at 300 yards. Ouo Englishman is particularly brave and tenacious. Ho gives us no rest, and keeps up an incessant running firo for ten minutes. His bullets are showeninu all around our heads, cutting through the planes, till at last a. whole 6heaf of shots enters bis body, and his machine falls." Tho narrative is a remarkable admission of the terrific nature of the British defence, the fire showing that tho range was accurate and that British aviators in large numbers quickly mount to repel an attack. The story does not claim that military works were the objectives of tho raid.—Aus.-N.SJ. Cable Assn.