HC Deb 19 March 1918 vol 104 cc785-7

Twelve aeroplanes left at 9.35 a.m. to bomb the railway stations, barracks, and Daimler Motor Works at Stuttgart. Eleven of these machines reached, the objective. One machine failed to return, being seen to lire a green light on the return journey, and go down under control, apparently with engine trouble, southeast of Oberkirch.

The following bombs were dropped on the objective with excellent results:

3 230 lbs
16 112 lbs
9 40 lbs (phos.)
Total … 2,842 lbs.

Several bursts were seen on the Daimler Motor Works, and several on the railway lines. Mettingen Station was hit, and set on tire. A train which was standing in the station wag also set on fire. Two bombs burst near the electric power station in the town, one beside the railway sidings, one near the gasworks, and five or six bursts in or around the Gare de Triage. Two bursts were seen by the bridges over the river, and two beside a large munition factory south-east of the town. A total of thirty-six plates were exposed of Stuttgart, which have come out very well, and which show bombs bursting on objectives.

Three enemy aircraft attacked our machines, over the objective, one being a 2-seater and the other two Albatross D3 type.

After the first combat, the enemy aircraft followed our machines, shooting at long range, and then withdrew.

The most recent report is to the effect that our bombing machines attacked military objectives at Mannheim, on the Rhine, on 18th March. Over one ton of bombs were dropped, with excellent results. Eight direct hits were obtained on the Badische Soda Factory, causing an abnormally large columns of black and white smoke to ascend. Also two bursts were seen on the docks, and one on another large factory.

The bombers were attacked by two formations of enemy machines, of which two were driven down out of control over Mannheim, and the remainder driven off.

Our machines all returned safely."

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

May I ask my hon. Friend whether it is possible to tell the Field-Marshal Commanding how enormously proud we all are here of the work recently done by these gallant airmen?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I shall certainly make a point of doing that.

Mr. BILLING

May I ask whether we may now consider that these raids are carried out as ordinary acts of war and not by way of reprisals?

Mr. CHANCELLOR

Is it our policy to attack only military objects?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave.

Mr. BUTCHER

Will my hon. Friend say whether he believes that the weather conditions in the spring and summer will enable us to bomb successfully the ironworks and other works in Lorraine?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I am hopeful that will be so.

Mr. BILLING

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether these raids are carried out by way of reprisals or as ordinary acts of war?