THIRTY RAIDERS ASSAIL THE CITY AT INTERVALS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1163, 2 November 1917, Page 5

THIRTY RAIDERS ASSAIL THE CITY AT INTERVALS.

(A. & N.Z. & Reuter.) (Re.-. Nov. 2, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 1. Official: Hostile aircraft determinedly and repeatedly attacked London last night. The first group crossed the Kent coast at 10.45, but did not penetrate far inland when they turned eastward and dropped bombs in various places in the vicinity of the coast. Meanwhile, two more groups were steering for London along the south bank of the Thames. Low, thin clouds rendered observation difficult. Nevertheless, the altitude of the raiders was calculated and they were broken up by our barrage on the southeastern outskirts, where bombs were dropped. A fourth group coming along the Thames estuary was turned back when half way to London. Meanwhile a fifth group crossed the Essex coast at 12.15 in the morning and steered for London along the north bank of the Thames. The outer defences turned back some, but one or more penetrated to south-east London and dropped bombs. A sixth group followed the same course a quarter of an hour later, some penetrating to south-east London, where they dropped bombs. One or more machines were, in the meanwhile, bombing the south-western outskirts. Gunfire dispersed a seventh group before it reached our outer defences. Individual raiders attacked the Kent coast between midnight and 1.30 in the morning. Each group consisted of three to four machines. The total number of the raiders was about thirty, but only three penetrated to the heart of London. Our gunfire harassed the raiders and our aircraft also attacked them. It is believed that the casualties and the damage are light, considering the nature of the attack.