In the Air

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 91, 23 March 1916, Page 5

In the Air

RAID ON ZEEBRUGGE, MUCH DAMAGE DONE. TUnITBD PbESS A8800IATION.) Rotterdam, March 22. The combined air fleet bombardment reduced Zeebrugge harbor to chaos. Two submarines escaped by promptly submerging, and three torpedoers fled seawards. They manoeuvred the minefield, but being comtinually harassed by airmen they were forced to open Water, from where British destroyers hunted them back. Air bombs severely damaged the Solvay works and several mine-layers in the harbor.

THE KENT RAID. GERMAN CRAFT RETURN SAFELY Amsterdam, March 21. The Germans Claim that all aeroplanes engaged in the Kent raid have returned safely. DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS, THE BRITISH AIR-SERVICE. MEMBER FOR EAST HERTS SPEAKS HIS MIND. (Received 12.5 p.m.) London, March 22. The House of Commons discussed the air service. Squadron-Com-mander Noel Pemberton-Billing urged the amalgamation of the naval and military branches under one political head, which arrangement would thus avoid muddle and chaos, and also create a new force to attend to producing material for all the services. There was no reason why every Zeppelin should not be blown up within six months. Mr Tennant said that strong language was not needed to impress upon the Government the importance of the subject. It was absolutely untrue to say that we were third-class. Our service was efficient and had done great work at the front in constant raids on the enemy territory. He hotly; resented Mr Billing's statement ' that some of our airmen were inur'dered through the quality of the machines supplied. | Mr Billings; "I repeat that lam 'preoanHl to produce evidence which | will shock the house." ' The subject was then dropped.