Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-07-08
DARING AIR RAID
MADE ON LONDON
Twenty German Airplanes
Drop Bombs on Civilians
and Business Districts.
SEVEN INVADERS DESTROYED
Caught at Sea by Defenders;
Attack Most Spectacular
Yet Attempted.

LONDON. July THE second de-
scent on London by squadron OF air.
planes was made this morning be-
tween 0 and 10 o'clock when the busi-
ness section of the metropolis was
most crowded. Altho the German
more deliberate and descended much
lower than on the visit of June 13. tho
killed and wounded were only about
one-third the previous casualty list.
Property damage cannot be esti-
mated
The flight OF the Germans over
London lasted about twenty minutes.
British airmen engaged them for sew
eral minutes and anti-craft guns were
firing brlskly but without success so
far as concerned the destruction OF
any of the twenty or more invading
machines.
Seven Raiders Destroyed.
The admiralty was able to report
tonight, however, that naval airmen,
who followed them to sea. brought
down three machines. A British
squadron sent up from Dunkirk to
intercept the returning raiders did
not encounter them because they had
taken more northerly route, but the
British airmen met and destroyed
seven other German machines.
On their former visit, made in hazy
weather like today's. tho Germans
kept high in the mists. but today
when they neared their detectives
most of them descended. Their for
nation was like a flock OF wild geese
and neither the British pursuers nor
the guns were able to scatter them
until they spread out before letting
loose their bombs.
First reports were that great loss
of life had occurred in this building,
but II later developed no one was In
jured.
Hospitals Attacked.
Among the places attacked was one
OF the most extensive metropolitan
hospitals on which the Red Cross
flag was flying conspicuously and the
location of which must have been
known.
Early rumors were abroad that the
hospital had been badly damaged. but
investigation showed II had fescaped
entirely.
In one building a number Of promi-
nent business men had gathered for
a conference. Above their heads was
only plate glass. A bomb exploded
In the lavatory. but did not even
break the glass. Not one of the men
was hurt. The fate OF the humble
dwellers in workmen's houses was
different. They had no chance for
life. The sight OF distracted, sobbing
mothers rushing about the ruins Of
tenements. fearing to find and some-
times finding the mangled bodies of
their children, was the most moving
incident OF the German victory. A
thoro investigation by staff corre-
spondents OF the Associated Press
showed that no military. munitions
or supply establishment was touched.
Five minutes after the explosions
ceased the streets OF the district at
tackled were jammed with fire en-
gines, ambulances. patrol wagons and
motors with nurses and doctors. Po-
lice were everywhere. Sightseers from
the west end seemed to come in
droves.
This part of London, usually de-
serted on a Saturday night. was
crowded by tens of thousands to a
late hour. Anger and determination
seem to be the dominating sentiments
OF the populace.
Hundreds of thousand Of people on
roofs, from windows and In the streets
saw the spectacle All London heard
the noise OF battle.
Daredevil Assault.
The Germans steered across Lon
don, northwest to southeast They
dropped the last of their bombs on
Workmen's dwellings and crossed the
Thames. Some observers say a giant
airplane piloted the squadron and the
bomb carriers were in the center,
flanked hy scouts for fighting off the
British airmen. The low altitude and
slow pace at which the Germans
crossed and daredevil way tney
circlcd over their detectives has
caused great surprise They COM
pleted the maneuver over the Tha,nus
and as the British machines came up
the raiders quickened their pace.
A fierce running fight ensued be-
tween a strong force OF British ma
chimes and the raiders toward the
mouth of the river. None of the Ter
mans had been brought down when.
the combatants disappeared from
view, but the British squadron con-
tinued the pursuit and engaged them
heavily.
Today's attack was plainly directed
against the civilian population and
business and financial districts The
Germans plainly knew where they
were. Why more persons were not
killed Is hard to explain