The Cuxhaven Raid.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 309, 30 December 1914, Page 5

The Cuxhaven Raid.

BRITISHERS AT PRACTICE ON ENEMY’S ZEPPELINS. EXCELLENT RECORD TO DATE. MUCH DAMAGE DONE. United Press -Association. London, December 29, He British ships approached Heligoland in the dark but in clear weather, promising a successful raid, but the fog descended when near the coast. Neverbhless it was decided that the raid should proceed. Undoubtedly some damages was done, including fortifications and earthworks'. "It Ts doubtful if any ships were hit. The Arethusa’s and Undaunted’s-six-inch guns made good practice against the Zeppelins, many shrapnel shells bursting about the cars. It seems certain that some hits were made, but not sufficient to impair navigation. The German airmen’s aim was fairly good, but apparently the nearest was twenty yards wide. One destroyer had a hot time, and many narrow escapes. The Zeppelins had no terrors for the British gunners, who fought steadily and heartily as if fighting sea ships.

Every British ship engaged returned to the base without loss of life or

material

One report states, that the Arethusa’s 1 and Undaunted’s high-angle fire damaged one of the Zeppelins badly. Submarines constantly attempted to reach the British cruisers, but were baffled by the masterly sea-

manship of the destroyers, Much 1 manoeuvred at high speed round the larger vessels and successfully repelled every attempt to torpedo’ them. The 'times states that there is excellent reason to boliev that a Par. seval shed and airship were destroyed at Cuxhaven, and several Zeppelin sheds and contents badly damaged. Copenhagen reports that the raid was kept secret in Germany until Saturday, There was much alarm, especially in Hamburg, until the German official report was issued. Most of the bombs seem to have reached the points aimed at, and the damage is reported to be serious. Rotterdam newspapers state that the bombs exploded with great force, and the damage done was certainly serious.

SATISFACTION IN NEW YORK.

(Received 11.30 a.m.) New York, December 2?

The Tribune states that the Cux. haven raid is the most brilliant and daring effort of the \var ) and the Hartlepool incident in the shade. It is also free from the stigma of brutal assault on non-combatan's.

PRESS COMMENT.

GENERAL EXPRESSION OF GREAT SATISFACTION.

(Received 9 a.m.) London, December 29. Newspapers exultantly refer to- the Cuxhaven raid.

The Daily Telegraph says: “This was no lightning knock at an undefended door, followed by a rapid flight to safety, but a hostile visit of three hours duration while Britain’s pilots flew over th°’roadstead where a number of warships congregated.” lire Daily Chronicle declares: “The incident suggests that the German

navy has either taken the former battle at Heligoland to heart or else is so doubtly or trebly-locked behind its booms and dock gates that it cannot come out within any reasonable time.” The Daily News says: “This is .Britain’s answer in characteristic style to the bombardment of the Yorkshire coast. Admiral Tirpitz may have to change his tactics.” The Daily Chronicle’s naval expert says that already they might discuss the German submarine as being deprived of half its terrors.