BRILLIANT AIRMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 120, 21 May 1917, Page 5

BRILLIANT AIRMEN.

ENEMY TROOPS ATTACKED. LONDON, May 12. Mr. Reach Thomas (-Daily Mail") supplies tl'.c following thrilling story of an attack by a British air fleet on German troops: — "An amazing unrehearsed incident excited the troops to almost hilarious delight, in 6pite of the grim conditions of battle. A number of our aeroplanes, coming home, had a separate adventure in the enemy's country. They scented battle afar, and swooped towards the scene like eagles. They saw Germans gathering behind their lines for a counter-attack, and others moving in shallow trenches. The aeroplanes strung out in long lines, and acted without agreement or collusion. But the fighting spirit- was strong, and drove all of them to similar action. As each airman sighted an unexpected target he turned the nose of his machine downwards, dived at this and that group, spiralled close overhead, and emptied dram after drum of ammunition on the enemy. Then rising at magnificent speed, amid a vain rattle of bullets, they fiew as straight as homing pigeons back to the aerodrome to deliver the news gained on their original mission.