WAR AIR RAIDS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10138, 26 October 1925, Page 5

WAR AIR RAIDS

FIFTY-TWO GERMAN BOMBARDMENTS IN .BRITAIN. .: .. OYER 1400 .PEOPLE KILLED AND 3100 WOUNDED. J.UNVEALED HISTORY OF THE WAR. (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received Oct. 25, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 23. A graphic story of the deaths and damage in England is revealed by Captain Joseph Morris in his book “German Air Raids over England, 1914-18”, just published. It contains much hitherto unpublished information.

It states there were altogether 52 raids, and 1413 were killed and 3408 wounded,, of whom more than half were in London—67o killed and 1926 wounded. If exonerates the exKaiser of blame for the early raids, and quotes official German records revealing that Wilhelm directed that the raids be expressly restricted to military shipyards , arsenals and docks, but London itself was not to bo bombed. The embargo only remained while London was apparently unreachable. Early raids proving the city’s accessibility, the Kaiser officially sanctioned the raids on London on July 20, 1915* the only restriction being that historic buildings should not be bombed. The year 1917 was the worst year, when as the result of 27 raids and 51 tons of bombs dropped, 655 were killed and 1553 were wounded. Remarkable tributes are paid to Britain’s anti-aircraft defences, in which connection tho author refers to the official German: account stating that “the enemy’s anti-air-craft defence is extensive. The Zep>elin commanders reported they would !>e able to remain only a very short time and it was impossible to seek out special objectives.” The author relates incidents where zeppelins were forced to return, jettisoning heavy cargo in order to climb safely, and refers to the German account of the air raid in October 1915. “Even more sinister than the guns” states the account, “were the aeroplane attacks. Ll 5 dropped her ballast and bombs into the sea in order to escape.” By September 1916 the Zeppelins were virtually doomed It was then Captain Robinson brought down SLII. The book finally reveals bow aeroplanes overcame the proudest of Germany’s airships in August 1918 It describes the Gothas, a more sinister and deadlier weapon, which were eventually beaten off owing to England’s amazing defences compelling the planes to fly -at an enormous height. Night raids were the deadliest of all, but the Gotlias were rendered virtually negligible owing to instruments by which the defenders were able to locate the position and altitude and distinguish enemy from friendly planes by the noise.—A. and N.Z.C.A.