IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1916, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

AN AtRIAL JUTLAND. EKKMY BOLTS FOR SAFETY. THRILLING BATTLE IN* SKY. London. Nov. 13. The Times' correspondent at Weste"n battle in the air said:—"Between 0 and 10 o'clock in the morning, a squadron of British bombing aiul fighting machines and scouts, making a fleet of ."0, sailed off, bound for Vraucourt. Our men sighted. an enemy fleet of ."(> or 40 machines. Wo attacked, aiul a general engagement raged for twenty minutes 5000 feet amongat the cloud's. It> was an inextricable tangle of darting, swirling machine:-, while the roar of 70 propellers and the clatter of guns filled tiie air. Under the influence of a strong westerly wind, the battle drifted deep into the enemy's country. At least six enemy machines were downed. The best evidence of victory was the breaking and scattering of the whole enemy formation. Tin Hermans fied for safety in all directions, leaving us in possession of the skies. Then we went upon our business, and punctiliously dropped bombs on store? and ammunition depots at Vraucourt. We came home proudly flying in regular formation, no Herman daring to interfere with us."

Renter's correspondent at British Headquarters states that the battle occurred above open country in the neighborhood of Bapaume. The British squadron, 30 strong, consisting of bombcarriers and an escort, set out upon a bombing expedition across the German lines. An enemy force of between 30 and 41/ offered battle, and the higher layers of the British force descended to meet them. The Germans, in a running fight, were gradually forced back over the open ground. The British meanwhile steadily progressed towards their objective, and accomplished their purpose. The British lost two each of bombing and scouting machines. One observer was killed and two pilots were wounded. The Hermans arc known to have lost three machines, and it is believed that three more were destroyed. One of the British pilots fell into No Man's Lund, where he took cover. Eventually he was rescued bravely.

Renter's Paris correspondent says that the battle was watched by thousands. The enemy consisted of at least 38 Fokkers and Rumplers. The scene was most exciting, as the machine-guns crackled and varied with the deeper note of the revolver guns. The issue was long balanced. The first out of action was a Fokkor. which whirled giddily for a moment, burst into flames, and crashed to earth. Then a British biplane was badly hit. Next two Germans fell, followed by many others, but the precise number has not been ascertained. The British throughout were superior. They routed and pursued the enemy, whose losses were considerably heavier. It is unlikely that the Germans will repeat the experiment,