BOMBING HUN RAILWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1918, Page 4

BOMBING HUN RAILWAYS

(By “ Wing Adjutant ”

Bombing is of little use unless the result of the raid is known.

This thought was firmly fixed in the mind of the formation leader as he led his flock over the line. When the objective eventually came in sight and he signalled to his followers to get on with the work of destroying an important bridge, he himself did not drop his bombs and then withdraw out Of reach of danger, but circled slowly rouud in the air, waiting to see what his fellows would accomplish. Despite the heavy shelling of “Archie” he remained in his post, dodging and twisting, until the last bomb had been chopped. Each burst be watched carefully, but as his attention was naturally somewhat distracted by the heavy shelling he endured he could not be sure of the exact results of the whole raid.

At last the final “egg” was laid and his flock withdrew. Then came the turn of the leader—the moment for which he had waited on high and endured a terrific shelling. Despite the inferno which was concentrated around him he put down the nose of his machine and dived for the bridge. *****

Contrary to the general rule of things and the expectations of the Huns, he did not at once dispose of his load of explosive aud leave for home, but flew coolly backwards and forwards over the scene of the raid, inspecting the bridge and noting the damage done. Time after time he crossed the bridge at a height of well under 200 feet. Then, realising that the railway which crossed the bridge had not been severed, he dropped still lower and planted 2501 b of highexplosive right in the centre of the track. A terrific explosion resulted, a flame of fire shot upwards, and a heavy pall ot smoke spread over the spot. For a moment the formation leader withdrew, but he still seemed loath to leave the scene of his labours, and treated the terrific “Archie” aud machine-gun fire with contempt. When the smoke cleared away he returned and once more examined the

bridge, This time he smiled to him-

self, for the rails lay torn and.twisted into strange shapes, sleepers had vanished altogether, and a huge hole yawned in the centre of the embankment. To make quite sure of matters he dropped two smaller bombs, and then, at last satisfied and quite certain as to the results of the raid, he withdrew and flew off after his returning formation.

After landing he counted nearly a hundred holes in his planes, several ribs showed through the tattered fabrics, a longeron was cut, his control wires had nearly been severed, and water was pouring from the pierced radiator, hut he was able to give a very complete and accurate account of a most satisfactory raid.