The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-03
German Airships Hover Owes
City Half Hour-Damager
Not Yet Known
kAISER'S MEN HAMMER
BACK FOCH'S FORCES
German Government Appeals
to Nation For Liberal Re-
spouse to Fifth War Loan to
Garry on War

kftatcct Icppehn attaIh Oh Eia&
land yet attempted took place
last night and early this morning.
Great numbers OF Zeppelins
took part in the attack. the OBJ
tcctive Of which WAS London
Several OF the raiders reached
London and HOY cred over the me-
trupoiis for nfefe-- than half aH
hour, dropping bombs. They
finally were driven of by the
British guns and swar-nas Of aero
planes which assembled to attack
One Zeppelin was shot down
High I'm the air IL burst into
fian,cs in the view of thousands
who lad assembled to rooms to
view the mighty spectacle. Ii fell
within the city limits.
The authorities have as vet
been able to make no estimate of
casualties or the damage done in
tho huge air invasion. Sir John
French, commanding the home
forces, made public the follow
ing statement at 4 O'Clock this
morning:
Graatest Raid Yet.
THE attack during the night
was made by the largest number
Of airships which has ever raid
ed England. The eastern conn
ties and London were the objec-
uvcs. The attack on London was
beaten of and one raider brought
down in flames
MANY bombs were dropped on
widely separated localities No
report OF casualties or damages
has yet been received"
The raid WAS in progress more
than four hours, coast cities be
ing the first TO he attacked.
The attack on London wf,s the
most extensive and probably re-
suited i'll the most damage to the
city Of any since the war began
Large fires are reported to have
started nj many points from OK
pIosive and inccndiary bombs.
Saw Zeppelin Fall.
From the roof of the lnternationa
News Service office the London sta
Witnessed the fall OF the Zeppelin. ]
Vas one of the most impressive sight
hat can be imagined.
The great air raider, staggering /
HE air, burst into a vivid sheet c
lanes against the sullen sky. Slow
Ii at first II descended, and the
|atapulted headlong to earth. while
|semed as II a sigh OF relief an
Lmaxement could be heard to ascen
rom the citys roofs and streets.
There was no sleep in London tc
light. Early the word that the Zep
helms are coming had been flashe
3 the metropolis. The city becam
lark.
Later. from the distance. duh e,
jiosions could be heard. like the far
h roar of artillery. Like beats of
rum the sound came nearer unit
he air reverberated with the cor
Iussions of mighty blasts that struc
he city like a titan's hammer.
Further official reports are anx.
>usly awaited by the people fror
khom all thoughts of sleep have dc
Sarted. Great crowds are paradin
he streets, waiting for the next wor
rom the war office. Sir John Frenc
AZ promised news as quickly as
received Thousands are gatherin
round the damaged sections TO Sc
nth their own eyes the wreckag
brought by the caravels of the sky.
An official statement issued whe
A. raiders were first reaching tn
cast said:
shortly before II o'clock In tn
yening our eastern coast was al
hcked by several hostile airships
bombs have already been dropped o
few places. No details have bee
eceived as regards the number {
htders or their objective. The raid
hill progressing"
Zeppelin raids on England have bee
rcurring with increasing frequency {
kte. The last was on August "a, an
Fas directed against the East Coas
England, some Of the raiders reach
liz the outskirts of London, Eigt
ersons were killed and thirty-seve
urt. 1t was the third Of series c
hree raids in three days. The las
krge raid on London vas In Octobe
bis, almost a year ago. when nifty fiv
ersons were killed and'1l4 injured.
GERMANS HIT HARD
BLOW ON FRENCH FROM
london, Sept 2.-The Germans tc
- switched their attention from til
ritish to the French on the Som n,
eont and by a serhss OF violent or
Saurhts succeeded In recapturins PAL
tho trenches lost to General Foch
hops two days ago south of the vii
- Of Estrees. The reverse is nd
lifted BY the French war Office, TIL
3ritish on their part rcconquered
nrtion Of the area lost to the German
coontinueA on Second Paga.y