THE WAR IN THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 35, 5 November 1918, Page 4

THE WAR IN THE AIR

WEEK'S SUCCESSES OFFICIALLY REVIEWED. The telegraphic weekly official summary of the war situation as on November 1, from the British Ministry of Information to the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F; Massoy), recapitulates the statements in the Press cablegrams last week regarding the German losses cincc March . last, the elimination of Turkey and Aus-.. tria as military factors, the apparent policy of tho German leaders in regard to the' armistice proposals, Mid gives tha following interesting review of,the work of the air squadrons s-r

"Throughout tho week (he British air.' craft notably contributed to the develop* mente on the Western front. Giving perhaps to the improved weather the enemy at last made increased efforts and severe air. fighting took place overlho Le Ques-noy-Yalencienes railway. During four days 59 enemy machines were destroyed and 26 ware driven down, while 31 British machines are reported missing. The whole week's 'bag' involves 77 German machines destroyed, 35 driven down, 8 balloons shot down, on fire, with 54 British machines failing to jeturn. , "A feature of the week's mdirig was the severity and insistence of the attacks ( delivered by the R.A.F. IndependentForce on all the usual objectives.

"On the Italian front valuable reconnaissance and photographic enterprises were aimed out, preparing for the renewed Allied offensive on the Piave. In the lieary fighting on the Venetian Plain low-flying British scouts played a great part, effectively co-operating with the rapidly, advancing British infantry. The .Austrian airmen, owing' to heavy losses, showed a marked disinclination for battle. The number of British machines missing.is amazingly low, considering the enormous amount of work fccontplished over the fighting zone."