14 JULY 1917, Page 1
The largest and most spectaeularthough not the most destructive, aeroplane
raid on London yet accomplished by the Germans occurred last Saturday morning. The raiders, which crossed London from north-west to south-east, are said to have numbered twenty-two„ Many observers counted a good many more than twenty-two machines, but no doubt they were unable to distinguish our own from the German aeroplanes. The first things noticed by the onlookers were that the raiders seemed to be startlingly lowdown, and that they moved with a slowness which suggested a high degree of confidence and deliberation. When-the raiders turned into the wind they seemed for some minutes to come almost to a standstill— to use their engines just sufficiently to neutralize the strong breeze and to " hover " over particular places.
