IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 February 1918, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

FRENCH AIRMEN ESCAPE. AMSTERDAM, February 21 The famous French airmen Garros and Marchal escaped from Germany. Marchal flew over Berlin, and just failed to reach the Russian lines. OUR GLORIOUS AVIATORS. 261 ENEMY MACHINES DOWNED IN ONE MONTH. OTHER VALUABLE WORK DONE. Received 8.35. LONDON,' Feb 22. In the House of Commons, Mr. Baird, In introducing the Air Board estimate, praised the boyish aviators who were constantly exposed to the attacks of the enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. He paid'a special tribute to the overseas aviators for their loyal and brave services on all fronts. In one day, owing to aerial observations, the British artillery si-, lenced 127 enemy batteries, - destroyed 28 gun pits, and damaged 80. They also destroyed 60 ammunition dumps. Balloon observatons the same day resulted in silencing 34 batteries. The work of our fighting squadrons was glorious and invaluable. During September they destroyed 139 enemy machines, and shot down 122 in the same months Photographs to the~ number of 15,837 were taken of enemy positions, and 7886 bombs were dropped.

HIGH MILITARY AUTHORITY' S REVIEW

LONDON, Feb 22

A high military authority states: Though there is much talk of the coming offensive, there are no definite indications that bring it any nearer. The most satisfactory feature on the West front is our continued success in the air, which is of the utmost importance, as a preliminary to any battle. Referring to air raids on London since the beginning of the year, the writer says: "We have carried out fifteen into Germany, all with definite results, as against Germany's five on England, two of which were abortive. The latest instance of the enemy's propaganda is visible in Germany's use of great influence in Switzerland in connection with the protest against the use of poisonous gas. We are ready at any moment to relinquish it.