AIR RAID IN PROGRESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1012, 2 November 1917, Page 5

AIR RAID IN PROGRESS.

ENEMY CRAFT CROSSING IN RELAYS. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, (ileuter’a Telegram.) Received November'2, 10.5 n.m. LONDON. Nov. 1. The Press Bureau reports that aircraft crossed the south-east coast in relays between 10.45 and 11.30 last night, travelling to London. The raid continues. DETERMINED AND PERSISTENT ATTACKS, THIRTY ENEMY CRAFT ENGAGED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Reuter’s Telegram.) Received November 2, 10.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 1. Official: The Press Bureau reports; Hostile aircraft determinedly and repeatedly attacked London last night. The first group crossed the Kentish coast at 10.45, but did not penetrate far inland. Instead, they turned eastwards and dropped bombs hr various places in the vicinity of the coast... Meanwhile two more groups were steering’ for London along the south bank of the Thames. Low, thin clouds rendered observation difficult. Nevertheless altitude raiders calculated they wore broken up by our barrage in the south-eastern outskirts,, whore bombs were dropped. The fourth group' coining along the Thames estuary was turned back half-way to London. Meanwhile a fifth group crossed the Essex coast at--12.15 in the morning, and steered for London along the north bank of the Thames to the outer defences, where 1 hey were turned back. Some one or more penetrated south-east. of London, and dropped bombs. A sixth group followed the same course it. quarter of an hour later, some ! penetrating to the south-east of London, whore they chopped bombs, one- or more S machines meanwhile bombing the southwestern outskirts. Our gunfire dispersed the t seventh group before reaching the outer de- f fences. Individual raiders attacked the i; Kent coast between midnight and 1.301 this morning. Each group consisted of I from three to four machines, the total num- f bor.s of raiders being about thirty. Only I three penetrated to the heart of. London, jj Our gunfire harassed the. raiders, and onr s aircraft also attacked them. It is believed | the casualties-and damage are light, con-1 sidering the nature of the attack. I

THE CASUALTIES. Received November 2, 1.20 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 1. Official; The total casualties iu all districts as a result of last night’s air raid are eight killed and 21 wounded. Material damage was of the slightest, and no naval or military munitions establishment was- damaged. All our machines are safe.