AIR RAIDS ON BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19438, 26 October 1925, Page 7

AIR RAIDS ON BRITAIN

DEATHS AND DAMAGE GRAPHIC STORY OF THE WAR. NEW LIGHT ON GERMAN EXPERIENCES. Received October 25, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 23. A graphic story of deaths and damage in England is revealed by Captain Joseph Morris in his book “Gorman Air Raids Over England from 1914 to 1918,” just published. It contains [■much hitherto unpublished information. It states that, there were altogether fifty-two raids, as a result of which 1413 were killed and 3408 wounded. Of these, more than half were in London. where 670 were killed and J9G2 wounded. The book exonerates the ex-Kaiser of blame for the early raids, and quotes official German records revealing that Wilhelm directed that 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 apparenty beyond reach. Early raids proving th* city’s accessibility, the Kaiser officially sanctioned raids on London on July 20, 1915, the only restriction being that historic buidings were not to be bombed. The year 1917 was the worst year, when, as the result of twenty-seven raids and fifty-one tons of bombs being dropped, 655 were killed and 1553 injured. Remarkable tributes were paid to Britain’s anti-aircraft defences, in which connection the author refers to an official German account stating: “The enemy’s anti-aircraft defence is extensive. Zeppeli7< commanders reported that they would bo able to remain only a very short time. It is impossible to seek out special objectives.”

The author relates incidents where Zeppelins were forced to return, jettr soning heavy cargo in order to climb to safety, and refers to a German an count of a raid in October, 1915: — “Even more sinister than guns was aeroplane attack. Ll 5 dropped ballast and bombs into the sea in order to escape.” By September, 1916, Zeppelins wore virtually doomed. It wa> then that Captain Robinson brought down SL 11. The book finally reveals how aeroplanes overcame the proudest, of Germany’s airships in August, 1918. It describes the Gothas as more sinister ami deadlier weapons, which were eventually beaten off owing to England’s amazing defences compelling the ’planes to fly nt an enormous height. Night raids were the deadliest c " all, but the Gothas were rendered virtually negligible owing t> instruments by which the defendeds were able to locate their position and altitude, and distinguish enemy from friendly ’plants by noise.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.