BEATING THE CIRCUS.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 June 1918, Page 3

BEATING THE CIRCUS.

CEACK HUN AIEMEN FAIL. GEAND AUSTRALIAN WOEK, (From Lieut. F. M. Cutlack.) Australian Headquarters, Mar. 21. German aeroplanes are appearing on the western front in larger formations than we have seen since last summer ’s fighting. Nevertheless the enemy shows a marked reluctance to visit our side lines. The Australian Flying Corps is well represented in a certain wing of the Royal Air (Servicq, -which has been doing heavy execution among the Germans in the past fortnight.

In six days this wing shot down 61 enemy machines, which either crashed down or fell out of control, and were probably destroyed. As usual, when our men have a specially successful period, a German avenging circus has arrived. It consist's of a number of crack airmen, each flying the type of machine he prefers. It acts as a (Combination under a famous leader. The best-known enemy circus is that of Count von Eechthofen. His or another renowned enemy circus reappeared on the British front two days ago. A patrol of seven Australian machines on Saturday met about 20 of this circus 1200 ft up.

Ten of the enemy dived to attack our men, and a regular dog-fight ensued for half a minute. Three of the enemy were shot down, two in flames, while the other probably crashed. . Three others attacked one Australian machine, which descended in a spin, affecting to be out of control. It escaped, and flew home. One of our machine's was forced down, and nearly reached home, but it was compelled to land between the enemy front and support lines. The other five returned after the enemy circus had broken off the battle and retired. Australian airmen daily patrol the enemy country, and where German machines can be brought to fight, a battle ensues. The fighting is almost invariably over the enemy lines, and ends in bur favour. Our airmen s.ay that the Germans have not got the guts to meet us unless they have an overwhelming advantage.