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Show amSdon One of the Airships Is Shot Down Three Zeppelins Took Part. London, Sept 3 (2 35 p. m.) Thirteen Thir-teen Zeppelin airships took part in the raid over the eastern counties last night and an official statoment Issued this afternoon says it was the most formidable attack by air ever made on England. Only three of the Zeppelins Zep-pelins were able to approach the outskirts out-skirts of London. One of these was shot down and the other two were driven off by aircraft guns and aeroplanes. aero-planes. Reports regarding the number of casualties and the damage caused by the great number of bombs dropped had not been completed this afternoon, after-noon, but it was stated that the damage dam-age and loss of life were not heavy "considering the number of ships engaged." en-gaged." The text of the official statement said: "Last night's raid was carried out by thirteen airships, and thus was the most formidable attack that has been made on this country. Tho principal theater of operations was the eastern counties and the objectives seem to have been London and certain industrial indus-trial centers in the midlands. "Reduction of obscuration of lights proved most efficacious, for the raiding raid-ing squadrons, Instead of steering a steady course as In the raids of the spring and of last autumn, groped about in darkness looking for a safe avenue to approach their objectives. "Three airships only were able to approach the outskirts of London. One of them appeared over the northern north-ern district about 2:1K in the morning, morn-ing, where she was picked up by anti-aircraft guns and aeroplanes. Soon tho airship was seen to burst into flames and fall to earth. "The ship was destroyed, the wreckage, engines and half-burned bodies of the crew being found at Cufley, near Enfield. "Tho large amount of wood employed em-ployed In the framework of the Zeppelin Zep-pelin Is startling and would seem to point to a shortage of aluminum in Germany. "Tho other two ships, which approached ap-proached London, were driven off without being able to approach the center of tho city. "A great number of bombs were dropped promiscuously over the east Anglian and southeastern counties. Reports In hand Indicate that the damage and loss of life will not be heavy, a great number of the bombs having fallen either Into the sea or in remote country districts. "It is hoped that any persons who picked up fragments of the wrecked airship will submit them to general headquarters without delay. It should be remembered that the retention of such articles is a contravention of the defense of tho realm regulations. "A statement of casualties will be issued tomorrow." |
