One hundred years ago this week the dastardly Huns made their first air raid attacks of the war on England. Instead of attacking London the swine bombed defenceless, unsuspecting, seaside Norfolk. The Sydney Morning Herald shrilled "ENGLISH TOWNS ATTACKED. BOMBS IN THE NIGHT.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"A sensational Zeppelin raid has been made on England, bombs being dropped upon places in Norfolk. A number of persons were killed and considerable damage was done. The news caused great excitement in London, people anticipating an attack on the metropolis.
"At Yarmouth [to be attacked again a few months later] the night was dark and still. The places of amusement were in full swing, and many people were in the street when the whirr of propellers first attracted attention. Then an aircraft was seen coming from the north ... it crossed the centre of the town, dropping bombs from a low elevation. Many folk streamed out of the houses, but others concealed their families in the basements.
"One bomb blew off the head of a shoemaker named Smith. The neighbourhood was shaken with reverberating explosions. Terrifying explosions followed in five or six parts of the town. Broken plate-glass from shop windows cut many people.
"INNOCENT SUFFERERS. The Zeppelin reached King's Lynn at 11.15pm. Special constables scoured the streets, ordering all lights out. Fire brigades followed. The lights of the Zeppelin frequently darted across the sky. Seven bombs were dropped. Doors were wrenched from hinges, windows shattered, furniture scattered, and fragments of masonry hurled several hundred yards. One bomb killed a boy aged 17."
