HEROES OF THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2948, 7 December 1916, Page 5

HEROES OF THE AIR

REMARKABLE RECORD OF BRITISH EXPLOITS A FRENCH TRIBUTE. The following semi-official communique was recently issued at Paris: — Our British allies are not in the habit of mentioning, as wo are, the names of tho airmen who, like Guynemer, - Nungesser, and' Navarre, add without ceasing 1 new Boche machines to the total of casualties. They exist, however, and they have to tileif credit some superb .records. One pilot, Captain Albert Ball, twenty years of age,' has brought down twenty ; nino Herman aeroplanes and one : Drachen. Like Nungesser, he destroyed three machines in a single morning. Without, however, stopping to consider individual valour, let us look at tho figures of tho British Army since July 12. Simply reading the official papers is interesting. During tho. month of July forty-six German aeroplanes were brought flown, sixteen wore damaged ana . disabled, one was brougUt down by anti-aircralo batteries. 'During August eighteen German machines were dostroyed, thirty-eight ivere brought down more or less damaged, and one-was brought down by gun-rire. Soptember was still more brilliant; Up to tho 27th fifty enemy machines were brought down, sixty were hit under very difficult conditions, uno was a victim of anti-aircraft fire, and six Drachens were burnt, making a total of 123 machines destroyed, and 114 suffered a more or less disastrous fate. All this occurred in tho cspace- of twelve weeks' fighting. British raiders have not snown themselves less active, for they have dropped thousands of tons of bombs every day on German territory or on land occupied by the Germans. Daring Bombing Feats. : The communique records numerous bombing operations carried out in the space of a week, and recalls the attacks on Libercourt on; Soptember 25. This operation deserves special mention, for it was conducted with as much skill as audacity. The object was to interrupt traffic on the railway from Lille to Douai. Trains were running south carrying reserves or munitions for tho battle of the Soinme, and it was decided to attack them. Patrols were first of all sent over'the aerodromes in order to hold in check tho German aviators who had been able to interfere with the British pilots entrusted with the attack. Bolnbs emitting strong fumes and explosive shells were thrown on tho enemy aviation grounds, where great excitement soon prevailed. While this was going on attacking squadrons, with other aeroplanes in attendance, crossed the sky waiting for the opportune moment. The first train was seen to leave Libercourt at 1.40 p.m., tho second train was arriving ou the line between Heniiilietart and Ostricourt, where it joins the main line. Captain C. and his machine-gun Sergeant J. descended to about 250 metres over tho first train near Ostricourt, and successfully dropped six bombs. The engine' was 'hit, and jumped the rails, three coaches were telescoped, and the maddened German soldiers got out of the carriages, looked for a way of escape towards Ostricourt and in tho direction of a wood near by, but Captain C. wfent still lower, fired on.' the disorganised crowd, leaving numerous dead and wounded on the ground. ' The ; second tram then arrived, but the first blocked the junction. Lieutenant W. and his gunner carried out a manoeuvre similar to Captain C. Tlireo bombs fell right on to tho train. The German troops ivero panicstricken, and tried to ilee across the fields towards Euvin. Followed, however, by machine-gun fire, they had a difficult task.. No fewer than a hundred were killed or wounded in tho two trains.. - ,

At two o'clock attacking aeroplanes wont to the station at Libercourt, on which they dropped fourteen bombs of Hlb. and thirty-four bombs of 201b. Buildings were blown up and tho railway destroyed. Several overturned wagons obstructed the way in certain parts. Held in check everywhero by advance patrols, tho German aeroplanes did not appear. At one point one of these patrols destroyed a hangar, whilo another, operating over Plialempin, caused a large fire, probably. in the petrol store. All the British machines returned safely, after having! put an enemy aeroplano to flight which had dared to approach the scene of their exploits.