New Britain herald., 1917-09-05
German Aviators Have First Experience of Dropping Bombs on British Capital With Moon Lighting Tar get.
TWENTY IN ATTACK;
 ONE BROUGHT DOWN


 quency of Visits From Prussian Airships and Wonder If Germany Has Prepared First for Conquest From the Slzies-Witnesses Tell of Chatham Assault.
 London Sept. 5.-The first moon- light air raid over the London dis trict occurred about midnight last might and resulted in the dropping of bombs, but the full extent of the damage is unknown.
 One bomb fell just outside a hos theater. still another struck a store where number of girls were sleep ing.
 The raiders were constantly shelled by anti-aircraft guns and several British machines took the air to at- tack them.
 The streets were almost deserted at the time, it being long after the the V ater hours. The few late street cars that were running either put their lights out or stopped. A message from the southeastern district says that apparently the invaders crossed the North Sea, and that all were severely shelled both arriving and re- turning.
 The streets were filled with curious z. crowds until the early hours today inspecting the damage from last nights air raids over the London district. More bombs appear to have fallen in the street than hit build ings. The Chronicle estimates that eight or ten raiders visited London. There were two separate attacks over the London district, the second occurring about 1 o'clock this morn hing. Some people claim to have seen y half dozen airplanes. After drop ping bombs the raiders flew seaward. One machine was located by search lights at an estimated height of 5000 feet It was severely shelled and on- lockers declare that it was hit. At the \ same time British airplanes were seen maneuvering for attack on the raid - CTS.
 ii Killed, 62 Injured.
 Eleven persons were killed and 62 injured in last nights air raid, it is announced officially.
 In several London streets sights were witnessed reminiscent of the earlier period of the war when Zep- pelins paid nocturnal visits. Early this morning crowds focked to the districts which had suffered, and the ~police had a busy time. So far as could be seen, the damage was not very great, and certainly no places of military importance were affected.
 Among the crowds. the dominant demand was for reprisals, which many believe would put an end to raids on England. Others insist the government take immediate steps to -. obtain supremacy of the air to a de- gree which would render raids inn possible.
 The official announcement says.
 Enemy airplanes in consider
 able numbers crossed the south
 east coast over wide area be-
 tween 10:3o D. m. and 2 a. m. ~ last night. The raiders seemed to
 have travelled singly or in groups
 of from two to three machines,
 for which reason it Is difficult to
 estimate their numbers, but it is
 possible that as many as 20 ma
 chimes took part in the raid.
 By 11:20 it became evident
 that enemy airplanes were ap- -~ preaching London, and at 11:45
 the first bombs were dropped in
 the London district From this
 time until approximately 1 a. m.
 40 bombs were dropped.
 The total casualty reports up to this time are: Killed, II; injured 62. The material damage is no extensive
 One enemy machine is reported N to have been brought down in the
 Dea off Sheerness