WAR IN THE AIR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17705, 4 February 1918, Page 5

WAR IN THE AIR.

THE PARIS RAID

A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Router. LONDON, February 1. A French communique reports:—

The casualties in the. air raid were thirtv-six dead, twenty-two in Paris and fourteen in the suburbs. One hundred and ninety-one were injured, 115 in Paris and 7t> in the suburbs. There were many women and children victims. Three hospitals were struck, one being set on fire. Sixty French aeroplanes ascendeo.

PEACE TALK ENDED. PARIS, February 1. The theatres had emptied when the most murderous raid that Paris has yet suffered commencedIt is estimated that, sixty Gothas took part in the attack, operating in squadrons of ten, and sweeping over Paris in succession. Each squadron remained until replaced by another ten, hence the long duration of tho raid. Ideal weather favoured tho savage enterprise, there being glorious moonlight, with a thin mist over the ground, and tho least vestige of fog, which aided tho Gofchas to elude the, aeroplane patrols. Thirty French aviators immediately went up, and a number of desperate duels were fought Altogether seventy bombs were droppeel but many failed to explode. The bombs were of three kinds, the smallest weighing 201 b and the biggest 1501 b. _ Parisians were in no way frightened, but the raid angered everyone, and ended all peace talk.

THE CASUALTIES. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Received February 3, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, February 2. A French official message states that the casualties in tlio air raid were:— Killed. Wounded. Tn Paris . . 31 131 In Suburbs . 14 76 Totals . .15 207 Tlio killcdjncludcd 11 women and 5 children. PARIS DEFENCES TO BE IMPROVED. (Received February 3 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, February 1. M. Clemenceau lias arranged to increase the aeroplane and other defences of Pan's to make them equal to those of London. HUN PRISONERS’ VERSION. PARIS, February 1. German prisoners state that twentyeight machines participated in the raid. They were ordered to avoid bombing the hospitals.