IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 October 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

THE ZEPPELIN DEFEAT. ALL NAVAL MACHINES. Received 11.10. PARIS, October 23. It is still doubtful whether five or six Zeppelins were destroyed in France, whether four or five escaped to Germany, though it is believed the Zeppelins which landed sixteen ' men at Montignyleroi now lies in the Mid Alpsl German prisoners state that thirteen Zeppelins participated in the raid of which number, eleven returned across France. All the crews belong to the navy, there being no longer any land Zeppelins. Officers were arrogant and claimed a special regime and rooms at the hotel. They were much distressed when they were treated as prisoners. Officers and crew of L 45 which descended at Laragne captured by Madame Dupont, a farmer ’s wife, but she was unable to prevent Captain Koeller setting fire by shooting at his Zeppelin with his revolver. AIR RAID DEFENCES BONAR LAW’S STRAIGHT TALK. GERMANS SEEKING INFORMATION Received 10.33. LONDON, Oct 23. In the House of Commons critics of the London air defences moved an adjournment in order to discuss last Friday’s raid. t Mr Chamberlain and Lord . Meaux advised the House to make short work of the motion. Mr Bonar Law said he refused to help Germany by giving particulars of our methods of defending London. Of eleven Zeppelins, only one came over London. The Air Services’ view was that mist did not save London, but it did save the Zeppelins. If Germans ever smiled at our way of conducting the war they would indeed have a •happy time over the British House of Commons stopping its business- to make this fuss over the greatest air defeat Germany ever suffered. The motion was withdrawn. Mr Bonar Law said: Two air raids upon German towns with large populations had already taken place, and this is what has happened owing to pressure brought by one or two commoners and the pressure of newspapers to find out what we are going to do. It was a fact that Germans, w-ho knew the only quarter whence raids could take place, had sent flying squadrons to await our flyers, then they were ready to receive our men. The Daily Express, commenting on the situation says: If bombing a town forty miles over the border is what the Government means by bombing German towns, it is not what the public mean. The statement has created widespread astonishment, as continued lack of action is causing much discontent. ONLY THREE RETURN HOME. LONDON, Oct 22. In addition to the five Zeppelins whose fate has been mentioned, another was brought down between Sisteron and the Gap, the crew destroying the airship before surrendering. Two more are regarded as doomed: They were seen drifting above the Gap, one being out of control. Thus, of the raiding fleet it seems reasonably certain t-hat only three, which were reported over Holland, returned to Germany STORIES BY THE CAPTURED CREWS. LONDON, Oct 22. Mr Perriss, a correspondent with the French armies, says the crews of the super-Zeppelins L 49 and LSO confirm that they partook of a single expedition against England. The fleet numbered twelve and left their three ports separately. When they reached England they were bothered by antiaircraft batteries and searchlights. They quickly dropped bombs and rose to a height of three miles, where they were caught by a strong north-west-erly and became lost The cold was extreme. The motors froze and the men were frost-bitten. The alternators would not work. It was impossible to take bearings. One captain at dawn thought, he was over Holland or Westphalia. then he recognised French poll. BRITISH AIR REPRISALS. LONDON, October 22. In the House of Commons, Sir George Cave (Home Secretary) in explaining the late Zeppelin raid, said the Government had already announced its intention of bombing German towns until an end was put to such cold-blooded attempts upon the civil population of England. Two such British attacks had already made. The House might be assurred that the process would con tinue until our purpose was attained.

THE SECOND DIVISION. -

LARGE MEETING AT MASTERTON MR MASSEY STRONGLY CRITICISED. Received 10.15. MASTERTON, this day. A meeting of Second Division League members last night carried the following resolutions; “That this meeting express keen disappointment at the inadequate provisions made for dependants of soldiers by the Government, whose action will condemn dependants of our men to a period of hardship for which there is no necessity whatsoever, when present property of the Dominion is taken into consideration. “That this meeting requests the Government to increase separation allowances to soldiers’ wives to 6s per day, and children to Is 6d per day, thus enabling them to live decently, and without the necessity of making application to the Financial Assistance Board, or any other board that may be set up. “That this meeting strongly resent the statement of Mr Massey that the Second Division League is not playing the game, and it expresses its displeasure at the Prime Minister making such remarks, which, in our opinion, is quite unwarranted and uncalled for Further, that the meeting considers the action of the League’s Executive, in placing their claims before individual members of Parliament. far more legitimate than holding caucuses for the purposes of bringing into line the Members of Parliament.”