WAR TN THE AIR

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1918, Page 3

WAR TN THE AIR

OFFICIAL REPORTS. !AUSTRALIAN * N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION * HOTTER.] (Received This Day at 12.30. a.m.) LONDON March 21. The Press Bureau says excluding raids in Germany, British and Aus■tralians airmen on the West Front in February dropped 5290 bombs in the daytime, and 553 at night time. The enemy dropped twenty eight in day time in areas occupied by British, and 1768 at night time. The Admiralty in a statement ou submarines, gives the following shopping position—at the end of last year, the losses of British were. 7,079,000 tons and foreign 3J million. The gains by new construction were British 3,031,000, foreign 3.500,000. Enemy tonnage captured by the British was 786,000 and foreign 1,800,000. The total gains were British 8.500,000 and foreign 5,383,000.

RAID ON MANNHEIM

CAUSED ENORMOUS DAMAGE.

(Received This Day at 1.20 a.m.) PARIS, March 21

News from Basle says Monday’s British raid on Mannheim caused enormous damage. Many houses in several parts of the town ignited. Explosions in thp powder factory and gas works caused large holes to be torn in the principal street, holding up tramways. Firemen and soldiers were engaged for many hours extinguishing the fires. The population were panicked and there is constant anxiety for further raids. Many people, especially women and children are leaving for Switzerland. South German newspapers are continuing the campaign against aerial reprisals, but Berlin owing to its temporary safety, refuses to negotiate with the Allies.

HELIGOLAND BOMBED.

rA PBTRATjIAX & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & BEUTBB.I*

LONDON, March 22. British seaplanes bombarded Heligoland.

BOMBING OPEN TOWNS: ROME Marh 21

The Pope has instructed the Nuncio at Vienna to ask the Emperor to take the initiative to stop the bombing of open towns, outside the war zone

AIRSHIP MAKING. (Received This Dav at 10.15. a.:n.) WASHINGTON, March 21 Aviation officials state by September next the United States will have completed more than double the number of (battle planes now used by Germany and the Allies on the West front.