New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-08
Thousands Watch
Desperate Sky Battle

Thirty enemy aeroplanes swooped
across London between 10:30 and IL
o'clock this morning at a height OF
5000 feet, dropping powerful bombs IN
the hope Of wiping out the business
centres of the city. The casualties,
which followed-the official account
saws that thirty-seven persons were
killed and 141 hurt-and the damage
which was done were inconsiderable
compared to what might have been ex-
peetsd.
One enemy machine, downed by the
ROYAL Flying Corps, fell into the sea at
the mouth Of the Thames. Admiralty
reports from Dunkirk say that British
sircraft sent up to intercept the Ger
mans in their fight from London
missed the raiding machines, but en-
eountered and destroyed three enemy
seaplsnes and an enemy airplane. In
& later encounter another airplane was
brought down in flames, and second
was forced to land on the beach near
0stend.
When the fight was over London re-
NAMED practically in its normal condi-
ton, except that thousands Of people
fought all the rest of the day to gam
access 10 the scene of the action.
As early as $3.50 warning signs ap-
peared in the city stating that enemy
battleplanes were approaching over the
east coast towns. Then came the
shrek Of sirens from Thanet, and soon
heavy firing began.
Fly in Close Formation
One hostile raider. being damaged,
vas forced TO put back to sea soon
after reaching the coast. Thirty OF
the hostile craft made their appear
snee soon after, flying like migrating
geese in close arrowlike formation.
In these parts they made little at
tempt 70 reply to the fire Of anti-air-
craft batteries. but continued their
comparatively deliberate fight toward
London, keeping close TO the north
bank Of the Thames.
By 1920 they were passing SUD-
urban town northeast Of London, their
formation now somewhat broken by
the attacks Of British Aiers. AT that
time virtually the whole city Of Lon
don was prepared TO sight the raiders
within five minutes. Bombs were fall
ing in the suburbs to the northeast.
Although the ground haze rather
hsmpered the British gunners, yet the
'sroplanes' tactics differed from those
q the last raid and the machines were
plainly visible everywhere.
They split up into three parties i'm
nsdiately they came TO London proper,
ne main body Fastening 70 the centre
oi the city, while the others attacked
The suburbs on the outskirts, their
nsnoeuyres indicating that they were
following well-plsnned and carefully
devised scheme.
Plainly Seen from Streets
Everywhere the anti-aireraft guns
~ the region Of the great city were
s'N fring with the utmost intensity.
sssTertheless the enemy came on stead
~ hyng low Dersistcntiy. The black
H'Ases on their Ulngg were plainly
ven against the .ight gray framework.
10" they changed 20 battle fOrma-
Nsn, flying In three layers. British
ss1tnines already we're busy among
1sm. One British airman was par
tsisrly daring. lie plunged into the
are OF group Of enemy fiers,
,'lsring them In all directions, and
~ turning sharply, repeated the
ucnmance. II was almost hand-to-
,sa t2htinZ in The clouds, the bat
ash's having eesEed their fire for fear
htting British planes.
Dstpitf every effort Of the British
smsn, the Germans stuck 20 their
~ ef dropping bombs. Por fifteen
.hstts the air WAS filed with the
VIVA ot the tremendous detonations