IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1918, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

BRITISH ATTACK. MANNHEIM AGAIN. OVER 14 TONS OF BOMBS DROPPED. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Router. Received March 20, 12.30 a.m. London, March 25. Bir Douglas Haig reports: Fifty-four aeroplanes were downed on Saturday on (he battle front. Our night flierH all night bombed hostile concentrations, dump, and. largo guns, over fourteen tons of bombs being dropped, of which 21 tons fell on JlnigescstzeenH. All returned, They also dropped a ton of heavy i'oribs on important railway bridge works at Konz, southward of Treves. Eight of these bombs burst among the railway .works. Nearly two tons were dropped at a low altitude on an aerodrome southward of Metz. Six of the bombs burst among (lie hangars, which were set on lire. All our u,-: bines returned.

Aeroplanes yesterday made a very successful raid on the factories at Mannheim, nearly two and a half tons being dropped. A burst was seen on the Soda factory and railway docks. Several fires were started, one of great size being visible for thirty-five miles. Tlurty-two machines attacked the bombers, and a fierce fight ensued. We brought down in flames an enemy machine, while another was downed in the centre of Mannheim. Wc also drove down five otherfc. Despite the severe combat and heavy gunfire, all our machines returned except two.