IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1917, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

GERMANS BOMB NANCY. 1 FRENCH REPRISALS. Received Oct, 18, 5.30 p.m. London, Oet. 17. A French communique .states': Aero- , planes violently bombed Nancy, ten civilians -being killed and forty wounded. We, on the loth and HJth, brought down twenty-five enemy aeroplanes. Our machines heavily bombed military establishments, railway stations, and factories at various places. GERMANY STRAINING EVERY j NERVE. i I TO COUNTER ALLIES' CAMPAIGN. ! Renter Service. ( Received Oct. IS, 8 p.m. 1 London, Oct. 1". The French staff learns that GerTnany . is straining every nerve in anticipation ! of America's new air squadrons and the Allies' spring air offensive, A large ' number of three-seater2f>o-h.p. bombing ! machines Are being built, capable of ; carrying eighteen hundredweight of ' bombs, and climbing 12,000 feet in 3e 1 minutes. Aeroplanes of new models and/' of every type are being feverishly produced, including a new machine constructed wholly of metal for co-operation with the infantry. A big German bombing machine recently landed in Holland, fitted with an electric installation for the purpose of warning the aviator. PREPARING AGAINST RAIDS. London, Oct. 17. The County Council is closing London elementary schools in the last week of October in view of the possibility of air raids. Mr. Bonar Law, in answer to a ques- 1 tion whether reprisals will be deferred until the Air Ministry is established, ■ said: "No. General Smuts has clearly 1 stated the Government's policy. It ia our intention to employ aeroplanes over German towns as far as military needs 1 make machines available." 1 GERMANS FEAR REPRISALS. Berne, Oct. 17. Several German newspapers significantly doubt the wisdom of air raids on open towns. The Munich Post urgently demands nn agreement by all the belligerents to desist from" a practice which only hardens the victims to the war spirit. FRENCHMAN BOMBS ESSEN. Pari?. Oct. 17. The French aviator Jardin, who was taking part in a raid on Frankfort, proceeded to Essen on hia own initiative and dropped ten bombs. He landed in Switzerland during a mist and was interned.