713 AEROPLANES DOWN

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 31 August 1917, Page 3

713 AEROPLANES DOWN

Seven hundred and thirteen aeroplanes were brought down on the western battle front during May, only four less than in April, when the struggle for superiority in the air reached its maximum intensity. In this period the Germans lost 442 machines, and the Allies, according to the claims of the enemy, 271. Our General Headquarters in France, the only one of the belligerents which acknowledges its own losses, admits that during May 86 British aeroplanes failed to return to their base. Deducting this figure from the German total, it would mean, if it is accurate and does not include., as the enemy's monthly summary frequently doe 6, machines brought down on the eastern and Balkan fronts, that the French Air Service has lost 185 aeroplanes, or nearly twice ii.s - many a.s their comrades in the Royal Flying Corps. Bnt taking the ligures as they are, they show that the Germans lost 73 more machines in May than in April, that our losses were 61 fewer, and that those of the French were 16 more. , British airmen and gunners claim 243 of the 442 German machines and the French the other 199. The., most interesting personal item concerning the German Air Service is the complete disappearance from the official reports of Cavalry Captain Baron Von Richthofen. This airman was the commander of a squadron which is known at the front as Riclithofen's " Circus," and he and it have been <iredited with quite dazzling performances. Richthofen was sprung upon the public on February 15 as the victor in 21 air tights, and between that date and April 50 (on which day he is said to have brought down five enemy machines) lie was reported to have accounted for 31 other aeroplanes. Since April 30, however, his name has not. appeared once in the German reports. But the name of another Richthofen—a lieutenant—has figured in the reports since May 7, and it is claimed

for him that iio has brought down 24 machines. An analysis of Sir D. Hair's repouts gives the following : German machines destroyed by British ... ... ... ..." ... ... ... 137 German machines driven down out of control by v British 122 German machines destroyed by French ~ ... ... 102 German machines seriously damaged by French ... " 10g British machines missing g5