AIR BATTLES IN ITALY.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 February 1918, Page 6

AIR BATTLES IN ITALY.

Sensational air battles were fought on the Italian front recently. There was a somewhat heavy mist, thougn it appears that the sun was shining in the higher altitudes. It was, however, certainly not a day to expect an aerial attack. The aerodrome attacked was occupied by British and Italians. About nine o'clock the drone of many machines was heard approaching, and it was then seen that not less that 30 Aviatiks and Albatrosses were overhead. After a preliminary bombardment the enemy descended to a height of less than 150 ft and opened fire with machine-guns on the British and Italian machines. Undeterred, however, by the hail of bullets, 15 of the Allies' aeroplanes speedily mounted into the air and made straight for the enemy. Despite their numerical superiority, the attackers evidently thought discretion was the better part of valour, and they immediately turned tail, pursued and attacked by the British and Italians. In an incredibly short space of time flames wer* bursting from four Austrian machines and one after the other they dropped to the ground.