The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-10-19
HOW THE BRITISH BROUGHT DOWN
TWO MIGHTY ZEPPELIN RAIDERS

discernible crossing out of the mist
from east to west. 1t lowered about
for a while as though the crew were
trying to find their bearings. Sudden
ly it began to bear north. 1t swerved
shortly and moved rapidly westward
again, turning later and making
straight for the south at high speed.
| "Once more it turned east until it
came astride the main road to -,
when it bore steadily along parallel
with the road.
searchlights Shine Out.
| meanwhile searchlights were played
east, west, north and south of the road,
their range stretching far out like the
tentacles Of an octopus. So far the
raider had managed to evade the light.
Now, however. one ray fell full across
it's path It lighted the airship up
| beautifully, making it look like mon
ster silver-scaled fish. Other rays were
concentrated and began to play on the
monster. The sky was now one blaze
| of revealing light in the vicinity.
"In vain did the Zeppelin move
about, hither and thither, seeking
| way of escape. Everywhere the raider
| was pursued by those fatal rays. The
guns began to play around the airship.
Shells burst all around. Some got very
close. The airship made a quick
maneuver as though to escape north
ward. The pitiless searchlight followed
and the raider was caught between two
powerful rays and lined against dark
bank of clouds.
"That was the beginning of the end.
There was a gun flash. followed by
roar. The raider was struck. Through
my glasses 1 could plainly see it reel
and rock under the hit. Then it be-
gan to descend earthward, very slowly.
1t could not now escape the rain of
missiles. After the next hit the rear
part Of the Zeppelin broke into flames.
"The ship then f1Oundered about in
the air as though its crew had lost
control of it. It was now one mass
of flame, looking like a blazing house
suspended in midair. There was no
question Of escape. It's descent quick
ened and finally it crashed to earth
less than a mile from the height on
which we had watched.
Crew in Midst of Flames.
"As it approached the ground the
figures of the crew could be seen
wreathed about by flames. Two of
them either fell or jumped from the
airship when it was about two hun
dred feet above the ground. While the
blazing raider was suspended helpless
in the. air three loud explosions were
heard in rapid succession. 1t was
after the last of these that the final
earthward plunge was made.
"The fight was watched by crowds
on the hillsides for miles around. AS
the monster took her final plunge.
round after round Of cheers blended
with the boom of the guns"
An occupant of one of the very few
houses situated in the district where
the Zeppelin fell says:
"Suddenly the Zeppelin assumed
perfectly perpendicular position, and a
tremendous flame burst from her, trav-
cling from the bottom to the top. It
was for all the world like applying
match to Il new incandeScent gas |
burner. She slid down toward the |
ground. and it all happened in about |
fifteen seconds.
81 made for the spot where she fell. |
and found her Il huge heap of broken |
metal. There was smOldering in some |
places Shortly afterward the, fire |
brigade arrived on the scene and the |
hose was played on her for some |
time"
Sees Zeppelin Fall.
Another eve witness says:
|
focused by several powerful search
lights. 1t appeared to he at great
height. but it seemed that it must be I
hit at any moment. so splendid was
the craftsmanship of our gunners.