AIR WARFARE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1919, Page 5

AIR WARFARE.

INDIAN FRONTIER CAMPAIGN,

LATEST BOMBING MACHINES,

DOUBLE IN AFGHANISTAN,

By Telegraph.—Press ten.—Copyr'ght.

Received Nov. 2, 5.5 p.m,

Allahabad, Oct. 28. Headquarters report that the Waziristan punitive force troopa are concentrated at various points on the frontier, particularly at Bannu Tana and Dardeni.

This will be the first opportunity for the Air Force to act independently in India. The latest types of machines have been received from Britain, including some that were intended to bomb Berlin.

The air raids at present are only in the nature of reprisals. The tribesmen will be given an opportunity to make their submission. Already the Waziris have been hurriedly cutting their crops in preparation for our advance. It is understood that the Waziris are receiving Afghan ■ help nnd connivance. Affairs in the Afghan capital are unsettled. Attempts on the Amir's life have been made.

Advices from the north-west frontiers show that the Afghans arc observing peace conditions and withdrawing from our frontier.

During the recent trouble the British posts were withdrawn from Waziristan and this led to an outburst of lawlessness, especially in the southern area, which the Indian Government is taking steps to suppress.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

[Waziristan is on the frontier of In•dia and Afghanistan,« and is in the sphere of British influence. The punitive expedition which has been planned against the Waziris is in consequence of their hostile attitude during the recent Afghan war. A report from Simla, dated October 10, stated that a British reconnoitring party had been attacked by the Waziris, and that a British force, I which apparently was ambushed, only escaped after heavy fighting. There have 'been several prevrous expeditions against the Waziris, who are,confirmed raiders. Except,on,a few of the highest hills, which are well wooded, the Waziri country is a mass of rock and stone, bearing ft .poor growth of grass, and thinly sprinkled with dark evergreen bushe.3.]