THRILLING BATTLE IN THE CLOUDS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2386, 16 February 1915, Page 5

THRILLING BATTLE IN THE CLOUDS

FRENCH AIRMAN'S DASHING EXPLOIT Paris, February 14. It k semi-officially announced that a French aviator, accompanied, by a ma-chine-gunner and gun, chased a Taubo machine. After a minute's liot firing tJio Tan be fell in flames, and with its wings torn to ribbons. The Frenchmen then attacked two other aeroplanes. The first shot struck one of thorn, and the Frenchman bore down on it vertically, firing incessantly. Suddenly it fell like a stone. Tho Frenchman rose to a height of 1500 yards and engaged a third aeroplane. Tho -latter replied with shots from an automatic rifle, but began falling after a minute, and tilted on his left wing. The Frenchman volplaned, firing continually, and the German dashed to the ground. _ Tho Frenchman bombarded the machine with shells, and returned to tho French lines safely.

A CHEERY MESSAGE FOR -ANTWERP. ' London, February 18. 'An aviator of the Allies air squadron flew over Antwerp on Friday and dropped leaflets which stated: "Keep lip your courage. We are coming!"— ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

THE BIG AIR RAID

FORERUNNERS OF OTHERS. (Rec. February 15, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 14. The "Times's" naval correspondent' says that the latest exploit of the naval airmen exceeds in magnitude anything previously attempted, and it is satisfactory that the Admiralty has been able to report a successful achievement and the return of the pilots. "British airmen's skill and initiative have again proved superior to the enemy's: they are capable of carrying out raids and executing larger combined operations, achieving a definite military purpose; they have rendered futile the German attempts to develop submarine bases on the Belgian coast. Tho enterprise was carefully planned, and brilliantly executed, and certain to be tho forerunner of others. —("Times" j and .Sydney "Sun" Services.) THE DAMAGE AT ZEEBRUGGE. (Rec. Febrjary 15, 11.30. p.m.) Amsterdam, February 15. A 'storm is -widening the breach' in the Zeebrugge mole, and tearing up great blocks of concrete. The breach wa-s the result of the bombs thrown by the aviators in the recent raid. FRENCH AIRMEN VISIT OSTEND AND ZEEBRUGGE. (Rec. February 15, 7.15 p.m.) . Paris, February 15. Official.—"French aeroplanes operating from Dunkirk last week successfully bombed military buildings and bodies of troops at Zeebrugge and Ostend. ' . ■ . BELGIAN AEROPLANES RAH) GERMANY. (Rec. February 15, 7.15 p.m.) The Hague, February 15. Belgian aeroplanes bombed a military camp at Deutz (close to the city of Cologne, on the Rhine), and escaped. They were fired at by guns which had been placed in the Tower of Colo'gno Cathedral. • BATTLE WITH A ZEPPELIN EXCITING MANOEUVRES IN THE SKY. (Rec. February 15, 7.15 p.m.) , ■ Geneva, February 15. A thrilling forty minutes' battle took place between a Zeppelin and three aeroplanes. A thousand French and German soldiers, south, of Mulhcibe witnessed the aeroplanes' clever manoeuvres as they strove to get above the Zeppelin. They had almost succeeded when the Zeppelin fled northwards, '