LARGE SQUADRON OF ATTACKERS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 9 July 1917, Page 5

LARGE SQUADRON OF ATTACKERS

SEVERAL DUELS OVER LONDON

BOMB DROPPING MAINTAINED FOR THREE MINUTES.

SQUADRON PUT TO FLIGHT BY

BRITISH AIRCRAFT

-(Received July 9, 8.50 a.m.)

LONDON, July 8. One party of night raiders crossed a Smith-east Coast town, flying unusually I low, but did not drop bomlis. One raider returned seawards, and '.the remainder proceeded inland. The raid on London occurred about I 10.30 in the evening, the squadron be- ! ing one of the largest yet sighted in England.. British patrols became active, as soon as the enemy's approach was signalled, and several duels were j fought over London, which is supposed to have been the cause of raiders' sudden change of course homewards. Large numbers of bombs were dropped. Three of the enemy ■ group appeared to receive their first check as they reached the inner northern district. The gunners found the range, and the machines began to waver and get out of line, and the quadron scattered somewhat. The crowds in the streets itook the raid coolly and watched until bombs be. gan to drop, but then took cover. As soon as British machines arrived j the enemy squadron quickened its pa-e c | and the main body raced away, leaving two machines in the rear. The latter were apparently engaged by British machines, but the ha^e prevented sight of what happened and soon all were lost to sight. The bomb dropping lasted I two or three minutes. j The inhabitants of a town in Kent, i ten miles from London, had a fine view i of the aerial "battle. Fifty aeroplanes were counted, divided into two squadrons. The larger enemy squadron held the eastward position with anti-aircraft shells 'bursting among th.em, while the smaller English squadron closed in rapidly from the westward. Notwithstanding the heavy shrapnel bursts the enemy appeared almost stationary for a few minutes, "but as the English drew nearer the enemy moved out of sight rapidly to the south-eastward with the English in hot Dursuit.