New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-13
OSTEND STATION
BURNED TO GROUND
Bombs Thrown on Guns
at MiddeIkerke and Ships
at Zeebrugge.
SUBMARINE BASES
OBJECT OF RAID
German Airmen Attack Verdun,
While French Scatter EXpIo.
sives in Alsace.

London, Feb. 12.-British avistors
guiding a feet Of thirty-four aero.
planes and seaplanes through whirl-
ing clouds Of snow, to-day swept over
cities of northern Belgium held by the
Germans and dropped bombs on 0s.
tend. Bruges and other military bases
After this exploit, aerial warfare on
the largest scale in its history, all the
air craft returned in safety 10 their
base, two of them only being slightly
damaged.
At various points the airmen were
received by the Germans with firing
from anti-serisl guns ard rifles. Mons
of the aviators is reported By the
Admiralty TO have been wounded In
these attacks, although one Of the ma.
chimes, driven by Flight Commands
Claude Grahame-White among the
most intrepid Of the British hiers, fell
into the sea while returning to its base
after the raid. The aviator had q
narrow escape from drowning, but
cruiser was near by and picked him
I'D and then toved his aeroplane into
port.
Raid Directed at Submarines.
The raid was made in order to pre-
vent the development Of submarine
bases and establishments which might
further endanger British warships and
merchantmen.
Although no submarines were seen,
the British Admiralty statement issued
tonight indicates that the raid had
satisfactory results, for considerable
damage is said to have been done TO
German gun positions, railway lines
and railway stations. The 0stend sta
tion is reported to have been set on FIRE
and that at Blankenburgh 10 have been
badly damaged. German mine ne-sweeping
vessels at Zeebrugge also came in for
hail Of bombs, but the damage done TO
them has not been stated.
Wing Commander Samson, who pre-
viously had made several notable visits
to hostile territory in an seroplanc,
was in chief command Of the raldlng
aviators. he was assisted by Wing
Commander Longmore and Squadron
Commanders Courtney, Porte and
R8thorne.
During the raid varships bombarded
the German positions along the coast.
Admiralty Issues Report.
The first intmation Of the air raid
was given to the public tonight By the
Official Press Bureau in the following
bulletin:
"Thrty-four naval acroplsnes raid
ed Bruges, Zeebrugge, Ostend and
Blsnkenberghe Call in Bclgium). Claude
Grahame-Whitc fell. lie was rescued
he secretary Of the Admiralty later
issued through the bureau descrip-
tion Of the raid, which says:
During the last twenty. four hours
combined aeroplane and sesplanc oper-
atoms have been carried out by the
naval wing in the Bruges, Zeebrugge,
Blsnkenberghe and 0stend districts,
with view to preventing the develop
ment OF submarine bases and estsb-
lishments. Thirty-four naval aero
planes and sesplanes took part.
Great damage is reported TO have
been done to the 0stend railway sta
ton, which. according TO present in
formation, has probably been burned
to the ground. The railway station at
Plankenberghe was damaged, and the
railway lines we're torn up in many
places.
: Bombs were dropped on gun posi-
tions at Middelkerke and also on the
power station and the German mine
sweeping vessels at Zeebrugge, but the
damage done is unknown.
During the attack the machines en-.
countered heavy banks Of snow. NO
submarines were seen.
Grahame- White Picked Up.
Flight Commander Grahamc-Whi.e
fell into the sea of Nieuport and was
rescued by a French vessel. Although
exposed to a heavy fire from rifles,
anti-aircraft guns, machine guns. etc.
all of the pilots are safe. Two ma
chimes were damaged.
"The seaplanes and seroplanes were
under the command of Wing Com
mandcr Samson, assisted By Wing
Commander Longmore and Squadron
Porte, Courtney and
Claude Grahame-Whitc has made
several trips TO the United States, or
one Of which. in the fall Of 1910. he
earned $4,000 in prizes. He has been
in several accidents. but was neyer
injured seriously. Last September h.
was appointed temporary flight COM
mander in the British navy. His wife
was Miss Dorothy Taylor, Of New
Xork