The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-04
Careful Inquiries Show a.
Minor Loss of Life-One
of the Zeppelins Is ORA
matically Destroyed
THIRTEEN SHIPS IN
THE BIGGEST RAID
OF AIRCRAFT IN WAR
Population of London Watches on
Housetops and Witnesses Destruc-
ton of Zeppelin in Glare
of Searchlights

London. September 3.-Thirteen Zeppe-
lin airships participated in the raid over
the eastern counties last night and an
official statement issued today says it
was the most formidable attack by air
ever made on England. Only three of
the zeppelins were able to approach the
outskirts of London. One of these was
shot down, and the others were driven
off by aircraft guns and aeroplanes.
An official statment issued early to-
night said latest reports based upon care
full inquiries showed that the total cas-
ualties were two persons killed and 13 in
jured. The text of this statement, which
was issued by the field marshal COM
mander-in- chief of the home forces, fol-
lows:
Careful inquiries show that the cas-
ualties and damage caused by the air
raid last night were quite disproportion-
ate to the number of ships employed
The number of casualties which have
been reported are as follows:
Killed-One man, one woman.
Iniured-Eleven men and women and
two children.
NONE KILLED IN LONDON
mo casualties occurred in the metro
politan police district. Latest reports
show that In the metropolitan police dis
trict 25 houses and some outbuildings
were slightly. damaged. Two water mains
were cut and three horses were killed.
ttrxIx<
certain nur- ,er of cottages being dam
aged as well as church. while fire
occurred at some gas works.
There was no military damage Of any
sort
An official statement on tho raid, issued
earlier in the day. said:
Last nights raid was carried out by
10 airships and thus was the most for
midable attack that has been made on
this country. The principal theatre of OPP
erations was the eastern counties and tho
certain Industrial centers in the mid
lands.
NO LIGHTS PUZZLING
1.-The measure taken for the reduction
or obstruction of lights undoubtedly
proved most efficacious. for the raiding
squadrons, instead of steering steady
course, as in the raids Of the spring and
OF last autumn. CROPPED about in darkness
looking for a safe avenue to approach
their detectives.
Three airships only were able to APP
proach the outskirts of London. One OF
them appeared over the northern district
about 2.l5 in the morning. where she was
picked up by searchlights and heavily
engaged by antiaircraft guns and aero
planes. After few minutes the air
ship was seen to burst into flames and
| fall rapidly toward the earth.
1.-THE shin was destroyed, the wreckage.
engines and half burned bodies of the
crew being found at Cufley. near Enfield.
Experts hope to reconstruct certain por-
lions OF the frame work. The large
amount of wood employed in the frame
work of the Zeppelin is startling and
would seem to point to shortage OF
aluminium in Germany.
ARE DRIVEN OFF
/ THE other two ships which approached
| London were driven off by the defenses
without being able to approach the CEN
ter of the city.
"a great number of bombs were
dropped promscuously over the East
Engeian and southeastern counties. but
| complete reports as to casualties and
damage have not yet been received.
| (Continued ON Page Two)