FIGHT IN THE AIR.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15337, 22 July 1915, Page 7

FIGHT IN THE AIR.

GIANT RUSSIAN ASSAILED.

PETROGRAD, July 20. A giant Ilatnouretz aeroplane fought thre© German machines in tho vicinity of Cholm, at an altitude of eight thousand feet. Tho.Germans attacked above and below tho Russian raaohine, which *as at a disadvantage, and was unable to bring the full force of its artillery to bear. Nevertheless one of tho enemy was seriously damaged, and the others dreiv off to a cafe distance. Ono Russian aviator was wounded. The Russian machine's petrol tank was perforated in sixteen places, but its several motors kept it airworthy, and enabled it to reach a place of safety. The Russians havo some very krge aeroplanes. The great Sykoreky biplano is said to have hosn used with success on the eastern front. It is driven by five lOC h.p. motors, is G2ft long, and measures 121 ft from wing tip to wing tip. It has already carried 16' pafvaengcrs IOOOft up in th© air. It? could carry as many as 1000 borabe a distance of 250 or 300 milee and back.

A STRONG RUSSIAN SECONJS LINE.

RUSSIAN* TAPER'S 'COMMENT. , TIME FOR A MOVE IN THE WEST. (Received July 22nd, 1.3 a.m.) LONDON, July 21. The Petrograd correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" points out that General yon Mackonseii'e wedg© is within twelve miles of the Lubliu-Cholm line, but the Russian resistance is holding up tho flanks of his wedge, particularly on tho left, between Hychava and the Wilkolaz, where the Austrians have been repulsed, and at Grabowice, where the Germans have been thrown back. The Russians, clenching their fists to mcefc the blow, have withdrawn from the Bzura to Ivangorod, to a very strong second lino, under tho shelter of fortresses. Tho line has been greatly strengthened during tho winter. The "Russky Invalid" expresses the opinion that the German advance is due to tho tranquility of tho French warfare on tho Western front, whence the euemy has withdrawn a. great number of troops. The All its would do a great service by seizing tho opportunity for an energetic thrust en masse, which might bewilder tho Germans and stop their advance.