IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1918, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

| UNPARALLELLED AIR FIGHTING. | 462 ENEMY MACHINES BROUGHT | DOWN. SOMME BRIDGES BOMBED DAY AND NIGHT. Received August 18, 5.5 p.m. London, August 17. The past week was unparallelled as regards air activity. The results are disastrous to Germany and encouraging Ito us. The battle begun on the eve of the Somme offensive was the biggest during the war period in the number of machines engaged, the intensity of the fighting and the magnitude of the enemy's losses during the fighting, especially on the first day between Albert and Amiens, On the Roye Road. The important feature is the enect on the enemy. Though the enemy was largely reinforced on the first day, his resistance was subsequently markedly weaker His scouts operated in larger formations, probably owing to his tosses, but the British attacked with undiminished determination, inflicting even heavier losses.

The total for the week is 339 destroyed. and driven down uncontrollable 123. There was an enormous amount of other activity behind the enemy's lines, 320 tons of bombs being dropped with notable success. Our airmen continuously bombarded the Somme bridges day and night, in which the lessons the British airmen learned on the Piave were applied with signal effectiveness.—Reuter.

A WEEK'S WORK. SIXTY TONS OF BOMBS DROPPED. SHIPPING ATTACKED. Received August 18, 5.5 p.m. London. August 17, X a.m. The Admiralty reports: Between the Bth and 15th August, the Air Forces dropped 60 tons of bombs upon the Zeebrugge and Oatend Docks, the Varssinaere aerodrome, La Brugeoise works, Bruges docks, and on Blankenbergh and Middlekerk, ilso on many enemy batteries and billets As the result of tiie Varssinaere attack >ve fired six aeroplanes and hangars. We hit two Gotha hangars, one being demolished. We also fired large petrol dumps, r We successfully attacked enemy •hipping, directly hitting a destroyer. A big explosion was observed later We destroyed 16 aeroplanes and drove down 15. Three British machines have not returned.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. A FRENCH REPORT. Received Aug. 17, 5.5 p.m. London. Aug. IG. A French aviation communique reports: Our bombing squadrons dropped 32 tons of projectiles in the battle zone and also behind the enemy front. Several railway stations were bit, notably Tergnier. Novon. Mezieros, and Thionville.—Aus- N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reutar.