AIR RAID

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 2 November 1917, Page 5

AIR RAID

ENEMY AIRCRAFT' OVER ENGLAND CROSSING SOUTH-EAST COAST IIN RELAYS. RAID CONTINUES. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) • i(Rec. Nov. 2, 10.5 a.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. DETAILS OF THE RAID THIRTY /PLANES ENGAGED. OjnLY THREE PENETRATED HEART OF LONDON. CASUALTIES BELIEVED TO BE COMPARATIVELY LIGiHT. i(Rec. Nov. 2, 10.50 a.m.) . (Official.) LONDON, Nov. 1. Hostile aircraft determinedly and repeatedly attacked London last night. .Jhe first group crossed the Kent coast at -j.45 0.m., but did not penetrate far inland. They turned eastward and dropped 1 bombs in 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 the altitude of the raiders was calculated, and they were broken up by our barrage on the south-eastern outskirts, where bombs were dropped. A fourth group, coming along the Thames Estuary', was turned' back hal'Away 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. Our outer defences turned them back. Some one or more penetrated South-East London and dropped bombs. A sixth group followed the same course -a quarter of an hour later, some machines penetrating South-East London, where they chopped bombs. One or more machines meanwhile bombed' the scruth-western outskirts. Gunfire dispersed a: seventh group before reaching the outer defences. Individual raideTS attacked the Kent coast between midnight and 1.30 in the morning. Each group consisted of three to four machines. The total number of raiders was about 30, but only three penetrated the heart of London. Gunfire harassed the raiders, and our aircraft also attacked l them. It is believed the casualties and damage are light, considering the nature of the attack.

TOTAL CASUALTIES

EIGHT KILLED AND- TWENTY-ONE WOUNDED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) i(Rec. Nov." 2, 1.20 a.m.) (Official.) 'fLO(M)ON, Nov. 1. The total casualties in all districts in last night's air raid were eight killed and 21 wounded. The material damage was of the slightest. No naval, military or munitions establishments were damaged. All our machines are safe.

LONDON'S AIR DEFENCES

EFFICIENT ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, Oct, 31. Mr J. I. -McPherson stated that London possessed guns which were able to effectively shell Zeppelins at their maximum height.

MEDICAL SERVICES

GREAT WORK BY THE DOCTORS.

MASTERLY ANTI-INFECTION CONTROL. (Published ip The Times.) LONDON, Oct. 31. Dr Wood. Hutchinson, lecturing at the Royal Society of Medicine, said that of the wounded surviving for six hours 90 per cent, recovered, and 98 per cent, if they reached! hospitals. Owing to the masterly anti-infection control, despite the colossal increase of instruments of_ slaughter, this war was one of the least deadly yet fought in comparison with numbers engaged.

SITUATION IN IRELAND

sinn fein: Leaders imprisoned.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) LONDON, Oct. 31. Ten 'Cork Sinn Fein leaders were sent to gaol for participation in a recent demonstration when 1000 volunteers paraded.

AMERICAN PATENTS

THAT HAD BEEN STOLEN BY GERMANY.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) (Rec. Nov. 2, 10.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 1. Experts have discovered that a German submarine, captured by the British, contains several stdlen American patents.

THE ANZ4GS

AMERICAN APPRECIATION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) ■{Rec. Nov. 2, 10.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 1. Sj.r G. Reid, addressing the Merchants' Association, said that now America, was in the war Britain should make the blockade real. German outlaws should not be allowed at the table of peace. The terms of peace must be dictated to them. Sir -George Reid predicted closer political relations after the war between Britain and America. Mr G. W. Wickersham, former AttornejvGeneral, staid :—'.'We .should be proud to be the aJllies of a nation which produces magnificent soldiers like the Anzacs.

EAST AFRICA

(Australian and N.Z. Cable*, Association and Reuter.) LONDON, Oct. 31. An East Africa official message says: The Germans have been expelled from Mahenge district towards Luwegu River. They abandoned two guns. General Northey'g troops occupied Liwaze. The enemy's losses in the recent fighting at _ Nyanzao, apart from wounded, are estimated, at 53 Europeans and 269 Askaris killed and 241 Europeans and l 677 Aekaris taken prisoner.