FORTY-SEVEN KILLED AND 169 INJURED IN LONDON RAID

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16762, 31 January 1918, Page 5

FORTY-SEVEN KILLED AND 169 INJURED IN LONDON RAID

LARGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AMONG VICTIMS. MATERIAL DAMAGE DONE INCONSIDERABLE. Australian and N.Z. and Reuter. (Reed. 8.16 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 29. An official report regarding last night's air raid states: Two groups of raiders crossed the Essex coast, and one group the Kentish coast. They proceeded towards London. The latter group dropped bombs on the Isle of Thanet and Sheppey, and crossed the estuary of the Thames, approaching the east of London through Essex. About fifteen machines participated in the attacks. Four or five reached the capital and bombed various districts, Later, other aeroplanes crossed the Essex coast. One reached London and dropped bombs. Two flying corps scouts, after a brief fight at close range, Bet fire to an enemy aeroplane over Essex. It fell in flames, the crew of three being burned to death. All our machines returned safely. Fourteen men, 17 women, and 16 children were killed, 93 men, 69 women, 17 children were injured. All the casualties occurred in London with the exception of one killed and seven injured. The material damage was not serious. There were many enemy aeroplanes concerned in the raid, which was the most prolonged yet experienced. The first attacks lasted two hours and a-half, and attacks were renewed for three to four hours past midnight. Several machines penetrated the defences. British aviators sought to drive the enemy into the anti-aircraft gunfire. Finally the enemy attempted to break off the fight, but were subjected to a severe anti-aircraft bombardment. The British machines, closely following the fleeing Germans, brought one down. Australian and N.Z. (Received 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 29. In the House of Commons, Mr. J. I. Macpherson, representing the War Office, stated that 70 British aeroplanes ascended against the raiders. About ten raiders reached London. Some of the casualties were due to people crowding into raid shelters.