IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

THE RECENT AIR RAIDS. THE GOVERNMENT AND REPRISALS. Received June I©, 10 p.m. London, June 19. Replying to questions in the 'House of Commons as to reprisals for the air raids, Mr. Bonar Law said it was a mistake to assume that air raiding was confined to the enemy. Our air iorces in France raided the German communications and other military objectives behind the lines, and with an increase in our air forces and the improvement in machines, raiding at longer distance* wbb becoming more frequent. The Government was consulting the military authorities and Field-Mafshal Sir Douglas Haig regarding the most effective methods of meeting the situation. Regarding reprisals, the Government had an open mind, in the sense that they intend to take steps not merely for damaging the enemy, but for the prevention of raids like those made recently. BRAVE BRITISH FLIERS. THRILLING EPISODES. London, June 3. Air battles continue, with many thrilling episodes, in which the dashing British pilots retain a marked advantage. Their skill, dash, and disdain of death daily bring down Germans, frequently against heavy odds. Mr. Beach Thomas relates the first instance of air-ramming. It happened behind the German lines. British and German pilots wero charging each other deliberately from a grea,t distance, The German kept a bee-line course. The Britisher skilfully evaded him, then, at the last moment, turned swiftly, rammed and cut off the German's right wing, and sent him crashing down. The British machine was badly damaged, 'but the airman alighted safely. In an encounter, which is officially described as a general engagement, two large fleets participated. The Germans brought up reinforcements at a critical stage, whereupon a British pilot, watching from an aerodrome, flew out m a new type of rapid climber. He speedily readied 12,000 ft in time to participate in the fight. He Bhot down a Garman biplane, and turned the scale of battle. The Germans lost four machines; the rest scattered and fled. Two British airmen have been landed on the east coast by a destroyer, after having been in the water for five idaj's and nights clinging to their machine Their only food was a piece of chocolate.