ich exploded and sent
up gigantic flames in the sky. The bombs made the town tremble; the
military officers lost their heads and gave contradictory orders to the
troops. The mitrailleuse section, however, kept cool, and fired from 200
to 250 shots before Squadron Commander Briggs was brought down. The
three British biplanes crossed, recrossed, and circled at such a speed
over Friedrichshafen that many onlookers thought there were six of them.
Squadron Commander Briggs was attacked and injured after landing; when
captured by the military he was nearly fainting, and was transported to
the large Weingarten hospital at Friedrichshafen, where he was tended
with every care. In fact the local officers regarded him with
admiration, much as the British public regarded Captain von Mueller of
the _Emden_.

The damage done was severe, and now that the horse was stolen the German
authorities took every care to lock the stable door. A great network
construction was built above the sheds. The Bavarian regiments and the
night sentinels were doubled; the number of mitrailleuses and
anti-aircraft guns was much increased. Five powerful searchlights were
installed on the hills around the town and were kept at work all night.
Two additional gun-boats were stationed in front of the floating shed.
At eight o'clock every evening all the lights of the town were put out.
Every civilian was compelled to carry a passport, and no foreigners were
allowed to approach. The Zeppelin sheds were not attacked again, but all
the men and all the material required for these additional defences were
kept out of the war by the four hours' adventure of three British
pilots. So true it is that the best defence is attack.

The pilots deserve all praise for their admirable navigation, and the
machines must not be forgotten. There have since been many longer and
greater raids, but this flight of 250 miles, into gunfire, across enemy
country, in the frail little Avro with its humble horse-power, can
compare as an achievement with the best of them, and some part of the
credit must be spared for those who planned it and for those who tended
and prepared the machines. The men on the ground, or in the engine-room,
or in the racing stable, who have no part in the excitement and renown
of action, are the invisible creators of victory.

Shortly after the raid the Swiss Government complained that the British
aviators had flown over Swiss territory, and had thereby violate