AERIAL WARFARE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16869, 26 October 1925, Page 7

AERIAL WARFARE.

STORY OP THE AIR RAIDS.

DEFEAT OF ZEPPELINS AND GOTHAB. Elec. Tel Copyright—United Pres* AwU (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, October 23. A graphic story of the deaths and damage in England through air raids is revealed by Captain Joseph Morris in his hook “German Air Raids over England, 1914-18,” just published. It contains much hitherto unpublished information. It slates there were altogether 52 raids, and 1413 were killed and 3408 wounded, of whom more than half were in London —670 killed and 1926 wounded. It exonerates 1 the ex-Kaiser of blame for the early raids, and quotes official German records revealing that Wilhelm directed that the raids be expressly restricted to military, shipyards,, arsenals, and docks, but London itself was not to be bombed.

The embargo only remained while London was, apparently ‘unreachable. Early raids proving the city’s accessibility. the Kaiser officially sanctioned the raids on London on July'2o, 1915, the only restriction being that historic buildings should not he bombed. The year 1917 was the worst year, when as. the result of 27 raids and 51 tons of bombs dropped, 655 were killed and 1553 were wounded.

Remarkable tributes are paid to Britain’s anti-aircraft defences, in which connection the author refers to the official German account stating that “the enemy’s anti-aircraft defence'is ex ten-' sive. The Zeppelin commanders reported they would be able to remain only a very short time,.and it- was impossible to seek out sipeeial' hhjectives.”/ ’T. v /Wp;

The author relates, incidents' where Zcpeplins were forced to return, jettisoning heavy cargo in order to climb safely, and refers to the German account of the air raid in October, 1915. “Even more sinister than the guns,” states the account, “were the aeroplane attacks. Ll’s dropped her ballast and bombs into the sea in order to escape.” By September 1916 the Zeppelins were virtually doomed. It was then Captain Robinson brought down SLII. The book finally reveals how aeroplanes overcame the proudest of Germany’s airships in August 1918- It describes .the Gotlias, a more sinister and deadlier weapon, which were eventually beaten off owing to England’s amazing defences compelling the planes to fly at an enormous height. Night raids were the deadliest of all, but the Gotlias were rendered virtually negligible owing to instruments by which the defenders were able to locate the position and altitude and distinguish enemy from friendly planes -by the noise.