New-York tribune., 1918-01-30

AO\D Jun, Jan. 81, JG:1S a. M.-An-
other hostile air raid over Eastern Eng
land began at $50 o'clock last night.
and up to the present hour is still in
progress, according to an official COM
muncation just issued.
None of the enemy machines has as
yet been able to penetrate the London
dcfenccs, although there arc reports
that bombs have been dropped in the
outskirts Of the city.
LONDON, Jan. 2Y.-Gcrman air
planes made their first attack Of the
year upon London and its suburbs last
night. their bombs inflictng casualties
officially reported as AZ killed and 1863
injured. All the victims except one Of
the killed and seven of the injured
we're in the London area itself No
serious material damage was done, and
the raiders suffered the loss Of one ma
chine. which fell in flames from a
height of 10000 feet, its three occu-
pants being burned to death
Replying to questions in the House
of Commons to-day, James Ian Mac
phcrson, Parliamentary Secretary for
the War Office, said that some of the
casualties in last nights air raid were
due TO the ovcrcrowding Of air raid
shelters.
Mr.. Macpherson said seventy British
airmen went up in search Of the enemy
machines and that all OF them re-
turned safely.
4 large number Of machines came
over the coast in relays. but apparently
only three or four succeeded in getting
through the barrage and dropping cx-
plosvc and incendary bombs into the
town. The gunfirc lasted intcrmit-
tcntly through five hours, and for two
hours of that time was almost continue
Gus.
There was an hours interval before
midnight when no firing was heard OK
ccpt an occasional distant gun off
toward the coast. Residents away from
their homes. when the raid began. con-
cludcd it was all over. although the
Euglcs had not sounded the "clcar" sig
nal, and more persons we're on sthe
streets than usual at midnight. when
the heavy guns began to boom again in
wardng of the second Of the two at
tacks.
British Flicrs Give Battle
The British H;ers were more active
than ever before. having gained in eX-
pericncc in night flying Besides the
Gotha brought down by British scouts
over Essex. one was pursued over Lon
don by the scouting forces, and the rat
tie of machine guns in the air was
plainly heard from the streets.
The night was one Of absolute clear
ness. There was d full moon and no
clouds or wind. The population had
ample time for securing shelter, ade-
Quate warning having been given. In
the various sections different methods
Of giving the alarm have been adopted
In some naval rockets were fired, the
reports sounding like the booming OF
guns. In others colored lights were
turned on atop the lamppcsts and OF
towers and high buildings. In one sec
tion two steam sirens. which could be
heard five miles away. sounded theil
blasts. while all over town the police
and special constables blew theil
whistles.
The tube railways and the build
ings Of strong construction were
crowded during the raid, but the audi
ences assembled at most of the thea
= l..
The House Of Lords was sitting whel
the raiders first appeared, and it con
tinued it's deliberations until midnigh
with an attendance of forty Peers
which was fair number for that body
/ The House Of Commons had adjourne,
a few moments before the warning wa
received Motor buses. which had n
lack Of passengers, ran all over tow
during the intervals when the guntir
was not heavy.
Official British Report
The official announcement of the raj
follows:
"The latest information shows tha
two group of raiders crossed the Esse
coast and one group the Kent coas
practically simultaneously, at about
D. m. The two former detachment
proceeded toward London on parable
courses across Essex. The capital wa
approached from the east and north
east shortly after 9.
"Of the machines which crossed tn
Kent coast. two dropped bombs in tn
Isles Of Thanet and Sheppey. Tn
remainder. crossing the Thames estl
ary. also approached East Londo
through Essex.
apparently about fifteen machine
took part in these attacks, of which fou
or five reached the capital and droppe
bombs in various districts between
and 10 p. M
Some time after the first attack ha
terminated other enemy airplan'
crossed the Essex coast. Only one
these reached London, which entere
from the north. bombs being droppe
between 12:15 and 1890 a. m.
"a number of machines of the Roy
Flying Corps went up. Two of o,
scouts encountered an enemy arplar
over Essex. After a brief fight at clio.
range, the raider took fire and fell
flames to the ground, 10000 feet belo
All three Of its crew were burned
. death
Several other engagements wi
enemy machines were reported by OF
pilot. one of whom pursued q raid
across the coast and fought an ind
clsive engagement over the sea. \