April 12, 1918 - Air raid in Paris

Don Martin diary entry for Friday, April 12, 1918:

Air raid in Paris. 9 killed – 60 injured.

Spent the day in Paris. Saw [Henri] Bazin [Philadelphia Public Ledger] at office of [Naboth] Hedin, Brooklyn Eagle correspondent. Both Bazin and Hedin have decided not to go with 1^st division. Had dinner at Prunier’s with [Burn] Price and afterward went to the office. Then to the Crillon. Just as I had made myself comfortable in my room and was reading letter from Dorothy, heard cannonading. Lights then went out and I knew another air raid was on. Dressed hurriedly by candlelight and went down in the lobby for an hour and a half. Bomb hit gas main about a mile from the hotel on Rue [de] Rivoli and caused big fire which we could see from in front of the hotel. [The air raid caused 26 dead and 77 wounded.]

German drive now directed at the British and looks quite serious.

Weather rainy

Rue de Rivoli after air raid on April 12, 1918 (Agence Rol)

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