AIRMEN'S NIGHT EYES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 280, 15 August 1918, Page 4

AIRMEN'S NIGHT EYES

TRICKS OF FIGHTING IN DARK. All the indications suggest that our airmen are rapidly learning the art of fight ing the Gotha'*in the dark. Until a few months ago there was very. little air fighting by night in Britain, and raiding Gothas enjoyed a considerable advantage because their object was solely to 'avoid attack and drop their bombs unmolested. Recent experiences suggest that they are no longer able to avoid attack. For one thing] the British pilots have learned to see in the dark as a result of numerous night flights in 6eavch of enemy machines, and in some instances on Sunday night they spotted Gothas at distances which would have- been considered impossible in the early stages of night raids. They have learnt also the positions to take up iu which to stand ihe best chance of bringing down a Gotha, and, what is equally important, how to keep those positions. The Gotha, being the heavier machine, is adapted to the business of slipping away, since, by a sudden plunge in front of tlie attacking scout, it can create a "backwash" and leave the attacker struggling to right his machine. '

The British pilots now know how to ope with that trick, and the fights that nded successfully on a recent Sunday light lasted from a quarter of an hour to half an hour, with the British machine only 30 or 10 yards from the raider all the t'ime. There are many perilous positions round the Gotha, whose gunners can fire in almost any ' direction, and it is only very skilful handling of the attacking machine that enables the pilot to keep a place in which ho can carry on the_ fight until ho hits tho raider in a vital spot.