AUSTRO-GERMANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1918, Page 5

AUSTRO-GERMANY.

INSANITY OF KAISER. BECOMING MORE MANIFEST. BELIEVES HIMSELF TO BE GOD. United Service. deceived May 2, 7.30 p.m. Rome, May 1. '• Several reports from Switzerland state that the Kaiser is showing frequent sign* of mental derangement, causing anxiety amongst hi* entourage and doctor*. He i» reported to be -obsessed with the idea that he is a special envoy of God, and even God himself. He constantly speaks of his divine mission to Mfona the. world and humanity. GERMAN OFFICIAL. Received May 2, 5.5 pan. London, May 1. A wireless German official message states: We repulsed French assaults against Dranoutre. Finnish troops captured Viborg. We •MUnied Theodosia, in the Crimea. EST THE AIB. AVIATORS EARN V.C. 80ME HEROIC EXPLOITS. , «us. and NX Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received May 2, 7.15 p.m. London, May 1. First-Lieut. Ferrara has been awarded the Victoria Cross in recognition of his wonderful series of air flights, in- < eluding a single-handed attack on 10 machines around an enemy aerodrome, 50 feet above ground. He had destroyed three enemy machines when a retreat was ordered, and, although wounded, he turned repeatedly and attacked the pursuing machines until overwhelmed by numbers and driven to the ground. Second-Lieutenant Alan McLeod has been awarded the Victoria Cross. When assailed by eight enemy triplanes, his skilful manoeuvring enabled the observer (Lieut. Hammond) to shoot down three. With a bullet through the tank and the aeroplane aflame, and although he was himself wounded five times, McLeod managed to control his machine so as to keep the flames on one side, thus enabling Hammond to continue gunfire till they reached the ground. McLeod then dropped Hammond, who was suffering from six wounds, from the burning wreckage and amid heavy, machine-gun fire, to a place of safety. He was himself again wounded before fes> fell from exhaustion.