WAR MYSTERY SOLVED.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 April 1919, Page 5

WAR MYSTERY SOLVED.

LOSS OF BRITISH ‘ ‘ BOMBER. ” For the first time now is revealed the story lying behind the bald announcement in the Herman official communique of January 2. 1917, that “an English super-aeroplane fell into our ha nds. ’ ’ Second'of our new aeroplanes Captured by the enemy on its first flight, it was a Handley-Page night, bombing machine, and is said* to have given the Hermans their ideas for the construction of their notorious Gothas. One of the men who was on board the machine now explains the mishap:— “We left England at 11.30 a.m. on January 1, 1.917. The crow consisted of pilot, observer, and three mechanics. Over the Channel we ran into very foggy weather and later into a thunderstorm. That, in the light of after events, must have made ou.r compass defective. We made for France, steering a little west of south, in the hope of clearing the fog further inland. When we knew we must be over land, we came down low to find a lauding. We saw a church steeple, and landed in a field near by. Not a soul was to be seen. The pilot .and observer set, off walking, and found some French children about a quarter of a mile awayt They were unable, even tb ascertain the fact, that the place, as we afterwards learned, was called Oh aland ry. While the party was distributed some German soldiers who had seen the machine arrive, and were awaiting their opportunity, under cover, rushed out and captured the ro-

mainder before they had time to fire the machine, or even to realise they were in ‘ territory occupied by the

enemy. ’ ’