IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1918, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

DARING RAIDS.

TDFtT MACHINES DESTROYED.

London, August 21.

Mr. Gilmour describes two daring air raids carried oat by large squadron? well behind the German lines, in which Australian fliers took a prominent part, He says that the latter, on reaching tbe objective dived, and almost entered the door of i big aerodrome, and counted eight machines inside. While almost touching the ground, the airman dropped a couple of bombs, directly hitting ihe hangar. A fire broke out, and quickly spread to the adjaeent canvas aeroplane s ieds. .Four other planes, following the leader, began machine-gunning and bombing, and an indescribable panic followed. many Germans fleeing pursued by low-flying machines. The ra'ders remained over tije aerodrome for 35 minutes. and soon not a sign of life remained. while thick smoke was rising from the burning hangars, workshops, Jhd airmen's quarter*. Then the raiders scattered, following the traflie along the roads and bombing everything visible till the supplies of were exhausted.

lit the second raid the squadron burnt eight hangars. It is belijvcd they destroyed 50 machines. The raiders, keeping at a low iltitnd?, came under the direct fire of field guns at a range of ROflft. The Australians picturesquely declare the missiles included grand piano?, gumboots, and everything movable. The raids dispersed the cavairy. The Australian fliers declare that they have the Huns cold. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable' A«so«.

BRITISH ACTIVITY,

tl EXE MY MACHINES BROUGHT DOWN.

London, August 12.

Sir Doughs Haig's aviation report ittatM: Early on the morning of the 19th we successfully attacked Phalempin; aerodrome, couth of LHle. We dropped many bombs at a low height, and attbine-gtuuied ground targets. We hit several aeroplane sheds and started big fires. We drove off enemy machines which attempted to interfere. All our machines returned.

We also bombed Bruges docks, the Oise railway, and a number of dumps. We brought down fourteen aeroplanes, and drove down seven uncontrollable. Seven of'the British are missing.

ATTACKS ON BELGIAN PLACES.

Received August 22, 9.30 p.m. London, August 21.

The Admiralty reports that between August 15 and August 17 naval and aerial contingents dropped 16 tons of explosives on the Solway works at Zeebrugge and Bruges docks, on anti-aircraft batteries at Westende, the Ostend docks, Zeebrugge, Aertryeke, Middlekerke, the Paschendale Canal, St. Alhille dump, Meetkerke, Leffinghe, the ZeebruggeSrnges Canal, and enemy shipping, with good results.We destroyed nine enemy machines and drove down eight others. We lost four, one of which landed in