SURPRISES IN 'STORE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2841, 4 August 1916, Page 5

SURPRISES IN 'STORE

FOR GERMAN AIR-RAIDERS PEMBERTON BILLING AGAIN Australian-New Zealand Oabl® Association. London, August 2. Mr. rembcrlon Billing, M.P., ami others, in the Houso of Commons, sharp; ly tho air defences. Reports which had been reaching members of tho House suggested that Britain's antiaircraft defence had not reached expectations, and. angry feelings were aroused by the fact that sevon Zeppelins were able to tour over seven counties and return safely to Germany on the ovc of tho second anniversary of war. Major Baird (a member of tho' Air Board), on behalf of tho Government, indicated that unpleasant surprises were in store for the Gorman raiders; but said it was impossible-'to disclose them at present. our Air successes at the front ("Tho Times.") London, August 2. According to official reports, there'were 101 battles in the air during July. The British claim success in twenty-five, the French in twenty-five, and tho Germaus in fifty-one. Gunfire brought down twenty-eight British and French machines and thirty-six .Germans.. The German claims of British losses i agree with tho British admissions. ; THE BRITISH SPIRIT IN BATTLE LAID HARE ON THE SOME. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. August 3, 9 p.m.) London, August 3. Mr. Philip Gibbs, reviewing tho last month's fighting, savs: "It has been a stupendous month.' The finest flower of our race havo flung-themselves upon tho enemy with an exaltation of courage that was something divine and sacrificial. It has been intense fighting all the way, over every bit of ground. This phaso might well be called the Battle of the Woods. In one month, by the greatest battlo in tho history of our race, and the greatest in numbers, duration, and sacrifice, we have taken eleven of the enemy's strongholds, killed and wounded an immense number of Germany's finest troops—at least 100,000—and'also inflicted a mortal blow to her pride. There was not a soldier among our fighting men who had not escaped death by hairbreadth, too often for the reckoning. They faced this thing, not gladly, but with a marvellous devotion 'to something higher than themselves. They don't as a rule go to battlo . with a prayer on their lips. Moro often they uso outrageous language, which is worse when they come out. It was not. hatred, passion, nor love of glory -that inspired the Britisher to fight, but the ideal of manhood, which was not to surrender though tho earth opens beneath his feet and the heavens rain fire'upon''him at any time of_ tho day and night. 'He lay down his life for his friend'—that is tho spirit."