SOME NARROW ESCAPES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16288, 22 January 1915, Page 5

SOME NARROW ESCAPES.

CHURCH AS A TARGET. EVIDENTLY ZEPPELINS AT WORK LONDON, January 21. (Received Jan. 21, at 11.35 p.m.) There arc varying accounts of the raid. One says that an airship circled King's Lynn twice, sometimes appearing to hang motionless. Terrific re= ports followed the dropping of the bombs. One blew out the windows ol a church at Snettisham. The rector and his family were standing at the rectory gate, close to the church. They watched the manoeuvre, believing it to be a British aeroplane, until by its shape they realised that it was a Zeppelin. They escaped with a shock.

At Yarmouth nobody actually saw the aircraft, but it is believed to have been a dirigible. Two unexploded bombs were so big that they were scarcely portable in a Taube. Only one aircraft raided the town; another went straight ahead in the direction of Cromer. Several bombs struck Yarmouth in a straight line, 100 yards apart. Two bombs fell close to St. Peter's Church. They were evidently aimed at the steeple, and missed it by yards. Two persons were killed, including a woman. Seventy-two windows in a 200 yards radius, including those of the church, were smashed. An intercession service was just finished and the vicar was inside. He was surprised to see a double-locked vestry door blown open. There were several narrow escapes in other places. One man escaped unhurt in a demolished house. A girl playing a piano at Yarmouth was blown off the stool and downstairs, but was uninjured.

TRAIN USED AS A GUIDE

THE ZEPPELIN OUTPACED

'LONDON, January 21 (Received Jan. 21, at 11.35 p.m.)

An engine-driver reports that a Zeppelin chased the train from Sunstanton to King's Lynn, using it asr a guide. He pulled out the throttle and raced along, and left the Zeppelin behind.

NUMBERS OF AIRCRAFT INCREAS ING. LONDON, January 21. (Received Jan. 21, at 11.35 p.m.)

Coastguards at Norfolk assert that there were four Zeppelins, and some fishermen declare that there were six: three steered in a south-east direction to Yarmouth and three towards Cromer. DEMAND FOR INSURANCE. LONDON, January 21. (Received Jan. 22, at 1 a.m.) The raid has caused an increased demand at higher prices for insurance against air damage. OBJECT OF THE RAID. TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN ZEPPELINS. LONDON, January 21. (Received Jan. 22, at 0.20 a.m.) The Times naval correspondent regards the raid as a trial trip. It is also intended to restore German confidence in the Zeppelins after their inglorious showing at Cuxhaven. THE TIMES SCORNFUL. "RELAPSES INTO BARBARISM." LONDON, January 21. (Received Jan. 21, at 1 a.m.) The Times in a leading article says:— " After six months' empty threats, German airships visited England and killed a boy, an old lady, a middle-aged shoemaker, and a soldier's widow, and injured a baby. When we strike home against Germany wo will not soil ou:' hands in these shameful crimes, but will fight honourably with the assurance that victory will be ours, arid the earth will be purged of these relapses into barbarism. '

THE RETURN JOURNEY. LONDON, January 21. (Received Jan. 22, at 1 a.m.) Dutch correspondents report that the Zeppelins in returning passed over Sneek and Hommarts, both in Friedland. The Dutch Admiralty declares that they did not cross Dutch territory. ONLY TWO ZEPPELINS ENGAGED. POWERFUL BOMBS USED. HOW QRO.VTER ESCAPED. LONDON, January 21. (Roceived Jan. 22, at 1.25 a.m.) The general belief is that only two airships engaged in the raid. They arrived at the coast together, and one went south to Yarmouth and the other north to Cromer. Cromer escaped damage owing to the authorities promptly extinguishing the lights. The Zeppelins made special targets oi churches and towers. The explosives were of extraordinary potency. One of the bombs, double the size of a cocoanut, demolished two cottages and shattered the windows in 50 houses and shops. The report that a soldier was killed proves incorrect. The deaths total four, including Mrs Gazley, who was found crushed under her bed. Her husband was a soldier, and was recently killed in Belgium.

•THE KAISER DELIGHTED. AMSTERDAM, January 21. (Received Jan. 22, at 1.25 a.m.) The Kaiser telegraphed congratulations to Count Zeppelin, whom he addressed as "commodore of my fleet."