SEAPLANE FIGHTS IN NORTH SEA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 230, 17 June 1918, Page 6

SEAPLANE FIGHTS IN NORTH SEA

GERMANS INCREASINGLY ACTIVE EXCITING INCIDENTS (Rec. June 17, 0.15 a.m.) London, June 16. Tho increased activity of German naval airmen in the North Sea lias led to a number of exciting in which the British .have more than held their own. Five British seaplanes wore on patrol, but owing to u broken petrol pipe, one descended to the sea' for repairs. The others chased off live enemy seaplanes, who declined to fight. Subsequently they chased oil two more. Half an hour later'ten Germans appeared. Our four immediately gave action, drove down two largo seaplanes riddled with shot, one burting into Haines as it reached tho water. One of ours was damaged and eventually landed at Vlielund, as did the 'plane with the broken petrol pipe. The crows were interned.

During tho fight two of tho. enemy became detached from the main body, and an exciting-combat ensued, in the course of which una of our assistant pilots was shot in tho head and died instantaneously. The chief pilot continued to navigate the machine, although attacked from tho rear and below by four of the enemy on one side and three on the other. Tho British pilot nose-dived and fought a running fight from the stern with all seven German machines, finally forcing them to ibreak off pursuit—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.