ZEPPELIN RAIDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16032, 25 September 1915, Page 8

ZEPPELIN RAIDER.

INACCURATE STORY.

PRESS BUREAU'S DENIAL.

{Received September 25. 1.30 a.m.)

London, September 24.

The description of a Zeppelin raid over London, published to-day, was written by Commander Mathy, who is 34 years of age. He formerly commanded a destroyer. This was his hundredth voyage in a Zeppelin, including several to England. He says in his narrative that there is not an officer or man in the aerial fleet who does not feel deeply when he learns that women and children have been killed.

Commander Mathy says he would rather fight aboard a torpedo-boat than attack a city from the air. His chief impression in the air is the speed and intense cold when from 3000 ft to 5000 ft up. Asked the height the Zeppelin was at when it bombed London, Commander Mathy refused to give the English the range. He said they were doing well enough and learning fast. He added: "If Mr. Balfour had stood by my side and seen the flashing of the guns he would not have denied that London was a defended city."

The Press Bureau passes the narrative with the comment: "There are numerous untruths, notably the statement about a battery under St. Paul's. The statement can only be characterised as a falsehood in vented for the purpose of excusing what the raiders were attempting to do."