ACTIVITY OF THE AIRMEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 35, 5 November 1917, Page 5

ACTIVITY OF THE AIRMEN

ENEMY POSITIONS HEAVILY BOMBED. London, November 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "Taking advantage of the change in i;ho weather in Wednesday, our aeroplanes and tho enemy's were in the air all day, but the 'isibility was not very good, and artillery work was hindered. Many photoTaphs were taken and much bombing was done by our machines. Aeroplanes 'o-operated successfully with an infantry raid north-east of Loos, firing several housand machine-gun rounds and bombing the troops in the communication ranches. Five tons of bombs were dropped at Holders, causing fires and crploions, and on many billets. A further live and a half tons wero dropped at night m aerodromes in the neighbourhood of Courtrai, the aerodrome at Gontrode, and he railway stations at Roulers, Thorout, and Courtrai."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HEAVY TOLL OF ENEMY MACHINES IN OCTOBER. Amsterdam, November 2. Returns show that 274 German and 109 Allied aeroplanes were brought down in the West front in October.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn, THE FRENCH AIRMEN BOMB OFFENBOURG The High Commissioner reports:— London, November 2, 2 p.m. A Trench official report states: "As a reprisal for the bombing of Dunkirk, leventoen of our aeroplanes dropped 2500 kilogrammes of projectiles on the town )f Offsnbourg, in the Grand Duchy of Baden." ON THE NEW ZEALAND FRONT SPECIAL DISPATCH FROM CAPTAIN ROSS. (From the New Zealand Government War Correspondent.) The New Zealand troops are now enjoying a quiet timo. NAVAL FIGHT IN THE KATTEGAT GERMAN AUXILIARY CRUISER AND TEN PATROLS DESTROYED NO BRITISH CASUALTIES (Rec. November 4, 8.5 p.m.) London, November 3. The Admiralty reports: "Our naval forces operating in the Kattegat apparsntly have been engaged with enemy forces, probably patrols. Official information jnly intimates that certain of our vessels have been detached to bring in prisoners, and that wo axo ncaring their bases. A later Teport states that forces operating in tho Kattegat destroyed an auxiliary cruiser armed with 6-mch funs, also ten armed patrols. Sixty-four prisoners wero roscued. We had no 3asualtie6."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GOOD WORK BY BRITISH DESTROYERS RESCUING THE ENEMY'S MEN. (Rec. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) , Copenhagen, November 3. On Friday morning tho German auxiliary cruiser Marie, of 3000 tons, met British destroyers twelve miles north of Kullen. The Marie opened fire, and the iestroyers answered. In ten minutes tho Marie was on fire. Thirty of the crew vere killed, and the remainder took to the boats. A Danish steamer brought 17 rounded to Copenhagen, including tho captain, who said his vessel, which carried four guns and had a crew of ninoty, was suddenly attacked. Shells descend:d with fnich rapidity that tho mon were unable to work the guns, and had only ired a few shots beforo the Mario wa9 a mass of flames. The destroyers ceased iring and rescued about thirty. Other reports Btato that tho, fight lasted threo lours. Four or fivo armed German trawlers participated. Their fato is unknown. -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY VESSEL DESTROYED ON BELGIAN COAST IN ATTACK ON BRITISH PATROLS. (Rec. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 3. The Admiralty reports: "An electrioally-controlled high-speed boat attacked >ur patrols oil tho Belgian coast. Tho attack was defoated and the boat de-,ti'oye<l."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. CAUSE OF THE ITALIAN RETREAT DISAFFECTED TROOPS OPENED A GAP IN THE DEFENCES CUTTING OFF OF MOUNTAIN POSITIONS COMPELLED ARMY TO RETIRE (Rec. November 4, 5.10 p.m.) London, November 3. Mr Ward Price 6tatcs: "Tho principal cause of the Italian rotreat was a sction' of troops, disaffected by tho German peace propaganda, opening a gap in he heart of tlio Italian defences. Tho cutting ft ot the surrounding strong nountain positions beyond the river necessitated a withdrawal ot the whole sonzo anuy, and tho Carso army was compelled, to follow. If it had delayed, the etirement for a single hour it would have been irretrievably lost. Many civilians oined with tlio army in the retreat. All manner of vehicles, mixed with baggage and army imperimenta, blocked the roads for miles 'lho railways were locked with trains. The enemy rapidly followed the retreat, natrols occupying Jdino at 7 o'clock on Sunday night, burning Gividaile, Grandprisca, and Palnanoya. The Germans tried to rush a Tagliamento. bridge on bahirday night, .'he flooded stream defeated them,, sweeping away, the Italians wiped ut thoso who succeeded in. crossing. xho limes, VALOROUS ACTION OF THE REARGUARD FRONT BROKEN BY A CLEVER TRICK. London, November 2. The war correspondents pay a tribute to the courage and tenacity of the taliaii Army during the retreat. The rearguard performed prodigies of akiur In spite of persistent shelling by .the enemy,, they covered the with- , i rJI. !u- Taneatedly charging the advancing Austiians, hve times riS the"ba g ck int St (the valley between the Carso and Doberto Six) When the Austrians were likely to occupy positions commanding the isniiyn bridges the troops on the Carso bravely resisted, while he artillerymen by pffnrf inan-handled the guns over the Isonzo. Tho Bcrsaglieri and uperhuman effort iii' •, . . heiu6e j veß . The Alpini at Monte Nero appear to r-fetrS W5 r lurpnse. It Mat wte wtu rßiiied Bhel , s on thfl hemselves a deal parage bombardm<:nt was fio terr jfi o that tho Italians •emaißdei of the 10■ * j shelter in caverns and dugvere utterly he plcsi while il. lastea, ana to u j ,uta. .The gas el .ellwereim etteotim b and amid thjck niscluof was a lea y Italians were unable to observe that the small rtouds of binoke and n as J , . Germans meanwhile broke SHiIM SSSSJSZA? -oaftSE — 11ETREAT CONDUCTED IN GOOD ORDER. (Rec. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 3. ■im l m,„ cnmxinonflents on tho Italian'front are not yet permitted r W «dehilSX ItaMan retreat the latest accounts show the "o < lisdo!6 in re nwkably good order, despite tho prodigious task . ™ Zrhamillionmen cm roads wliidi were utterly congested; )f withdiawm„ n . 3, con f a sion, there was no serious disorder. Military mt apart from the 'he discomfort and difficulty. The vast majority suffered acutely from hunger and 'atigue.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SYSTEMATIC CAMPAIGN OF BRUTALITY ORDERED TO TERRORISE THE PEOPLE AND PUNISH ITALY. (Rec. November 4, 5.10 p.m.) London, November 3. . Th« Thliin evacuation recalls the first days of the Belgians' retreat, the adw h «\ri a vVnf tore Italy's richest agricultural districts, burning, pillaging, "T-n S JkJt , J terroriSen population. It is reported that von Mackenand lust in order to terrorise the people anil punish Italy for her intervcitioii.-Umted Service. GROWING DETERMINATION TO RESIST THE INVASION (Rec. November 4, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 3. The "Dailv Telegraph's" Milan correspondent says the public are gradually •ealising the extent of the disaster. There is a growing determination to resist ■he invasion. Signor Giolitti, loader of the largest political group, .has offered ■is- whole-hearted co-operation with the new Government. The universities ot ?adua aud Pavia make an eloquent appeal to stiO'en tlio national spirit against ho invasion of tho barbarians. A116.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY PATROLS REPULSED. London, November 2. An Italian official report states: "There is reciprocal artillery action ou'the ragliainento. Our machine-sun fire repulsed enemy patrols which advanced to ;he river bank."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.