IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 16 July 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

THE AIR RAIDS ON LONDON. DEPUTATION TO LLOYD GEORGE. THE FIRING LINE THE FIRST CONSIDERATION. Received 8.45, LONDON, July 15. Lloyd, George, replying to a deputation of London commoners, admitted the special need of defending London from air raids, but he said the safety of the soldiers at the front was the first consideration. If anyone said to the contrary let them find another Government. He denied air squadrons were sent to France against the advice of the military authorities. They had been sent at the pressing request of General; Haig, whom all military advisers supported. The Government accepted the principle of national responsibility for damage caused by air raids.

GREAT AERIAL ACTIVITY. MOST SEVERE SINCE THE WAR. THIRTY-ONE ENEMY PLANES DOWNED. LONDON, July 14. The High Commissioner reports:— British official: On Wednesday night we successfully bombed railway stations, hutments and aerodromes. All our machines returned safely. On Thursday there was increasing aerial activity on both sides from dawn until late at night, the fighting resulting greatly in our favour, and was the most severe since the commencement of the war There were continuous engagements between large formations, in some cases including thirty machines Thirty-one German machinse were downed. Many photographs were taken, and the bombing of aerodromes and dump stations was continued. Nine of our machines are missing.

THE KING’S MESSAGE TO HIS ARMIES. FIIvTAL AND COMPLETE VICTORY ASSURED. Received 11.50. LONDON, July 15. The King has issued a special order as follows: —“At the conclusion of my fourth visit to the British armies in the field I leave with feelings of admiration and gratitude for past achievements and cotffidence in your future efforts. I have witnessed on all sides the scenes of your triumphs. The battle fields of the Somme, Ancrc, Arras, Vimy, and Messines have shown me what great results are attainable by the courage and devotion of all arms of the services under efficient commanders and their staffs; Your comrades, men and women in the home industrial army, claim your remembrance, their untiring service helping you to meet the enemy on terms not merely equal but daily improving. It was a great pleasure to the Queen to accompany me and beedme personally acquainted with the excellent arrangements for the care of the sick and wounded, whose welfare was ever close to her heart. The Empire’s armies and workers in the homelands for the past three years have risen superior to every difficulty and trial, and the splendid successes already gained in the co-operation and gallantry of our Allies have advanced us well towards the completion of the task we undertook Doubtless there is a fierce struggle to come and heavy strains of endurance to be borne, but the spirit and pluck which has brought you so far will never fail. Under God’s guidance, to final the complete victory of bur just cause is assured. ”