DAVID AND GOLIATH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1913, 10 December 1918, Page 1

DAVID AND GOLIATH.

SEAPLANE SINKS DESTROYER

The destruction of a German destroyer by a British seaplane is graphically told by Captain Paul Bowsher, who observed the unusual occurrence from the cockpit of a fast British bombing plane. He was Hying on the Belgian coast, when lie saw two British machines in front of him.

“Suddenly,” he writes, “the front machine turned to the right and began to ily towards (he coast. Its occupants had evidently seen something of importance. Looking lielow, I saw, a few miles from Zeehrngge mole, six little shapes which seemed stationary on the grey sea. The,v were German destroyers, whieh were in reality steaming at top speed towards (ho coast. Gradually' the sea-planes drew nearer and nearer, and soon were hut a few miles Prom the land.

“Near (he front machine appeared a small black hall of smoke. Another appeared, and another, and I could hear the sharp crack of bursting shells. “Now, however, they were almost over tlm destroyers, whieh were beginning to zig-zag as the danger of

the coming attack was realised. “I saw six black cylinders drop spinning from the front machine. Near the destroyers appeared the white smoke and spray of a bomb. Another followed, and another. Then on one of the destroyers a red flash appeared, and the centre of Ihe boat was left clouded in smoke. Its attacker had scored one direct hit!

“I shouted excitedly to the pilot as one of the destroyers dropped out of line and made swiftly for its mortally wounded consort.

“The airplanes returned to report. A patrol returning a few hours later stated that they had seen five German destroyers returning towards (Mend. By then, the sixth, torn and shattered, lay with many another twisted and rusted companion, under the sea.”