From March 1 to October 31, 1917, no less than twenty-two raids
took place, chiefly on London and towns on the south-east coast.
The casualties amounted to 484 killed and 410 wounded. The two
worst raids occurred June 13 on East London, and September 3 on
the Sheerness and Chatham area.

A squadron of fifteen aeroplanes carried out the raid, on June
13, and although they were only over the city for a period of
fifteen minutes the casualty list was exceedingly heavy--104
killed and 432 wounded. Many children were among the killed and
injured as the result of a bomb which fell upon a Council school.
The raid was carried out in daylight, and the bombs began to drop
before any warning could be given. Later, an effective and
comprehensive system of warnings was devised, and when people had
acquired the habit of taking shelter, instead of rushing out into
the street to see the aerial combats, the casualties began to
diminish.

It is worthy of record that the possible danger to schools had
been anticipated, and for some weeks previously the children had
taken part in "Air Raid Drill". When the raid came, the children
behaved in the most exemplary fashion. They went through the
manoeuvres as though it was merely a rehearsal, and their bearing
as well as the coolness of the teachers obviated all danger from
panic. In this raid the enemy first made use of aerial
torpedoes.

Large loss of life, due to a building being struck, was also the
feature of the moonlight raid on September 4. On this occasion
enemy airmen found a mark on the Royal Naval barracks at