New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-02
Defence Guns Roar
Nearly Three Hours
Strongest Attack Yet
Attempted on Eng
land Finds People
Prepared and Streets
Nearly Deserted

LONDON, Oct. 1.-The strongest air
attack yet attempted on London and
the coast towns by the Germans wa
carried out tonight By four groups o.
hostile airplanes. making the sixth
aerial attack in eight days. Some OF
tho machines got through 70 London
and bombed the southwestern district.
A terrific bsrrage was sent up from the
defence guns, and the roar OF battle
lasted intermittently for two and
half hours.
The Germans bombed coast towns
they passed over and proceeded toward
London. Two of the groups succeeded
in getting several machines through
the sky barrage. Many bombs were
dropped on the southwestern district.
which is thickly populated with tho
homes OF the upper and middle classes.
The fire from the defending guns was
longer and louder than ever before
A rain of shrapnel fell IN all sections
Of the town and the streets were virtu.
ally deserted save for a few police.
Citizens Expected Raid
The weather was perfect for Al.
operations. "a there was a bright full
moon. with no clouds or wind. The
people Of London expected raid and
were waiting for signals. Soon after
Z O'Clock motors Of tke Volunteer
Corps sped through the streets blow
ing their sirens and displaying an H.
Illuminated notice. Take cover" The
telephone exchanges notified their sub
scribers, and other measures were put
into execution 70 inform the populac,
of the pending air raid.
Many of the theatres are continuing
their performances, despite the raid.
At the conclusion OF the performance
in one of the leading London theatres
tonight the manager came 70 III.
stage and invited the audience and
stage hands 10 vote on the question
Of continuing the night performance.
All voted in favor Of carrying them o.
as usual.
The Official Report
Field Marshal Lord French, com
msnder in chief Of the home forces.
issued the following report dealing
with to-night's raid:
a group Of hostile airplanes crossed
the Essex coast az 7 o'clock this
evening and proceeded across Essex
toward London.
This group of machines was fol
lowed at about q quarter OF an hours
interval by second group, which
pursued the same course.
"The first attack on London was de-
livered from the northeast about 7:45
D. m. Most of the raiders were
turned back, but one or more of the
machines penetrated the defences and
droppcd bombs in the southwestern
district
about s:l5 D. m. the second group
Of raiders attempted TO cross the de-
fences at various points in Northesst
and North London. but without sue
cess until shortly after o'clock, when
a few OF the machines passed across
London. and bombs were again dropped
in the southwestern district.
Meanwhile q third group OF raiders
crossed the Kentish coast and dropped
bombs at various places. This group
did not penetrate very far westward.
"A fourth group Of enemy machines
crossed the Essex coast about $3.50
o'clock and proceeded toward London.
which was approached shortly before
10 o'clock. They did not penetrate
further than the northeast outskirts
OF London. where some bombs are re
ported 70 have been dropped.
"No reports Of casualties or damage
have yet been received"