From ‘News of the Week’, The Spectator, 2 January 1915:
The first German aeroplanes which have visited us since the beginning of the war appeared on Thursday and Friday of last week. On Thursday week, about eleven o’clock in the morning, an aeroplane circled over Dover and dropped a bomb, which fell in a garden and did very little damage. British aircraft started up from the ground in pursuit, but the German aeroplane disappeared in the mist over the sea, after having been visible for only a few seconds. The aeroplane of Friday week appeared near Sheerness, about 12.30 p.m., flying very high—as German airmen generally do—from east to west. The machine was of the Albatross type, and flew up the river as far as Erith. Both going and returning it ran the gauntlet of the anti-aircraft guns. Several British aeroplanes also went up in pursuit, one trying directly to overtake the Albatross, while others attempted to outflank it.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in