Bisbee daily review., 1917-10-02
FOUR GROUPS
 IF A|RPLANES. CARRY HAVOC. INTO LONDON.
Strongest Air Attack of Months Is Made Against English Metropolis. Extent of Casualties as Yet Un- known.


 LONDON, Oct. 1-The strongest air attack yet attempted on London and the coast towns by the Germans was carried out tonight by four groups of hostile airplanes. Some of the machines got through to London and bombarded the southwestern dis trict. A terrific barrage was sent up from the defense guns and the roar of bat tie lasted intermittently for two and a half hours.
 Coast Towns Bombed.
 The Germans bombed coast towns as they passed over and proceeded to- ward London. Two of the groups sue ceeded in getting a number of ma chimes through the sky barrage. Nu- merous bombs were dropped on the southwestern district which is thick ly populated with the 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 virtually deserted.
 Weather Inviting.
 The weather was perfect for air operations as there was a bright, full moon with no clouds or wind The, people of London expected a raid and were waiting for signals. Soon after S'clcck motors of the volunteer corps sped through the streets blow ing their sirens and displaying an it. luminated notice take cover" and other measures were put into action to inform the populace.
 Theaters Continue.
 Many Of the theaters are continuing their performances nightly. At the conclusion of the performance in one of the leading theaters tonight the manager came to the stage and in- vited the audience and stage hands to vote on the question of continuing the night performances. All voted in favor of carrying the mon as usual.
 French Issues Statement.
 Field Marshal French, commander in chief of the home forces, issued the following report, dealing with to- nights raid:
 "A group of hostile airplanes cross ed the Essex coast at ' o'clock this evening and pushed across Essex to- ward London.
 This group of machines was fol- lowed at about a quarter of an hours interval by second group which pursued the same course.
 "The first attack on London was delivered from the northeast about 7:30 p. m. Most of the raiders were turned back. but one or more ma chimes penetrated the defense and dropped bombs in the southwestern
 Defenses Penetrated. district. About S:15 p. m. the sec ond group of raiders attempted to cross the defenses at various points in northeast and north London, but without success, until shortly after 9 o'clock, when a few of the machines passed across London and bombs were again dropped in the southwest ern district.
 Meanwhile a third group of raid CTS crossed the Essex coast at $40 D. m. and proceeded toward London which was approached shortly before 10 o'clock They did not penetrate farther than the eastern outskirts of London. where some bombs were re- ported to have been dropped.
 "NO reports of casualties or dam age have yet been received.
 Aerial Barrage -I While a terrific barrage was kept up with the bursting. of shrapnel, fur nishing one of the greatest pyrotechni- cal displays London ever saw. a thirl- ling battle in the air took place be- tween enemy aircraft and British avia- tors in the northern district. according to special constables, who said they witnessed it by means of powerful binoculars. Although the machines were thousands of feet in the air, the fire of the machine guns could be heard distinctly below. When the echoes of this fight died away the anti-aricraft gunfre in the city ceased. but it could be heard in the distance, indicating that the enemy was being