AIR RAID ON LONDON.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1917, Page 3

AIR RAID ON LONDON.

NOW IN PROGRESS. TAUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] VANCOUVER December 18.' An air raid on London is proceeding LONDON BOMBED. ALSO KENT AND ESSEX (Received This Day at 9.30 a.m.) , LONDON, Dec 19. Official.—Aeroplanes crossed the Kent and Essex coasts at 6.15 this ingSome reached London district dropped bombs, and also bombed Kent and Essex. Reports of the casualties and damage have not been received. Om- guns and aeroplanes engaged the enemy. A SUDDEN GUNFIRE. ANNOUNCED THE RAIDERS. (Received This Day at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 19. A sudden gun-fire, announced the airraid to most Londoners, just at the time when most of the shops and businesses were closing, ’and the theatres and music halls opening. A barrage was immediately put- up, and was marked by three spells of intense cannonading, which swept the skies with shrapnel. There was a new moon and it was a starlight, cloudless night. Occasional- l iy two or three searchlights were put ; up to assist the gunners. Many heard j the Collins plainly in the intervals of i the shelling. , I Londoners quickly obeyed The lake cover orders. j one raider DOWNED. . 1

(United Service Telegrams). (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON December 19. Coastal guns attacked returning raiders and brought one down into the sea. Two airmen were rescued. OFFICIAL REPORT. fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER. ] Received this day at 2.36-p.m.,) LONDON December 19. Official —Sixteen to twenty aeroplanes participated. Three groups of raiders crossed the Kent coast and three other groups the Essex coast, all making for liondon.

Gunfire turned hack most hut live reached London and dropped bombs between seven and eight^o’clock. After the main attack, a single raider flew over the city at nine o’clock one raider was brought down by gunfire off Kent Coast and two of the drew captured alive. Another is supposed to have fallen in the channel . Casualties and damage in London are not yet ascertained. Bombs were also dropped in Kent and Essex.