IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 November 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

j “STRAFFING EXPEDITION.” ! BY BRITISH AND FRENCH airmen. The East Ham Echo (London) conn tains an interesting account of $ “straffing” expedition by the British on the Western front. The writer. Air Mechanic S. D. Mason (brother of Mr F. C. Mason, of Palmerston)' says:— I am giving you here just a little account of one of our straffing expedD tions which may be of interest to your many readers. This is just one of many, and as may be made known now our last was a reprisal for the sinking of our hospital ships It was a bright, sunny afternoon, in the early part of April-ideal weather for straffing. The machines -were lined up in the looking spic and span, ready for the fray. They were indeed a credit to officers and men who had charge of their welfare. Each machine had its com-: plement of “bouquets” neatly stored and a certain town of great military importance was to be honoureftTThat afternoon by the combined sSTiII of British and French airmen. The pilots and gunners had taken their seats, each with grim determination to do or die in the achievement of their object. The propellers were given a swing, and one by one the machines left the ground in a graceful climb. {

In a short space of time, high in the heavens could be seen a great’ aerial fleet ; winging its way to cast destruction on a country mainly responsible for the present bloodshed. An hour or so elapses when the great “hawks of the air” espy their prey; far below in the shape of armament factories. The work of destroying these mills of war is not to be car-! ried out without interference, for en* emy planes are up to give battle. In this great game of aerial “noughts and crosses” he is outclassed, as the Allies have the champion-! ship, a title they will hold for ever. The sun wont down, and the work of * destruction was o’er. A faint whirr could be heard, signifying the raiders* return. Not all of them; ho, but most? of them. Alas! some had fallen hi the execution of their duty, and even' I had lost a dear friemTr a braves, chum, an aerial gunner The landing lights are switched on to guide them to their haven of rest, and as eacri machine alights there can be seeijt upon the face of the occupants a smile of satisfaction, for the job was don;?, and the Hun had lost once again.