THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16221, 25 May 1918, Page 9

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

ITEMS FROM THE FRONT.

(PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, May 24. The following message, dated May 21 st, has been received from the New Zealand official war correspondent, Mr Malcolm Ross:—

"'lTie Allied troops are living in daily expectation of a big attack, yet their moral was never higher. Yesterday, which according to some prisoners' statements, was to bo the evo of the onslaught, one of our brigades held a military tournament and horse show. Tho arrangements were perfect, and great interest was shown in the various events. The battalion bands played, and many men walked miles to the ground. The scene reminded one of a country show in New Zealand, except that everyono was in uniform, and transport was entirely warlike. The horses were in fine condition.

"Meantime the men in the front line stalk the enemy and bring in prisoners almost daily. The moral of the division opposite us is poor, but no doubt they are simply holding the line, and better divisions would move through them to take part in any onslaught. During the dav there is little doing, but at night there is considerable artillery activity, especially on the part of" our gunners, who are energetically harassing the enemy with crashing concentrations. During the past few months several American staff officers have visited the New Zealanders for brief periods. \\e have found them keen to learn, and the utmost cordiality has prevailed. We have also seen something of the French, and with them also our relations are most friendly."

THE AIR WAR

(By Cable.—Prese Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

(Reuter's Telegrams.)

LONDON, May 23. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report says

"Wo dropped 1200 bombs on various targets, including .lerodromes, near Ghent and Tournai, and billets in the neighbourhood of Armentieres, Bapaume, and Braye. "Wo dropped over 12 tons of bombs on aerodromes used by the enemy night fliers, two tons of bombs on the chlorine factory at Maniiheim, causing three large fire*-, and two tons on railway stations at Thionvillo and Karthaus.

"At dawn on "Wednesday two formations carried out a long-distance raid against the important railway triangle at Liege. They dropped 22 heavy bombs. The first formation's bombs caused three very largo fires, which wero still burning fiercely three-quar-ters of an hour later, when the second formation flew over Liege. Other machines dropped 12 heavy bombs on tho Motz railway station, and all returned."

(Revived- May 24th, 10.25 p.m.) LONDON, May 23,

The Admiralty reports:—

"Our air force contingents between May 20tli and May 22nd carried out bombing operations at Zeebrugge; also at the mole and submarine base.

"The enemy's shipping in the vicinity and an aerodrome at St. Denis Westrem were also bombed. Two direct hits on enemy destroyers were made. A photographic reconnaissance shows that one destroyer was sunk.

"We drove down three enemy machines uncontrolled. All ours returned."

LONDON, May 23. A French official message says:— ' Enemy aeroplanes dropped bombs on Paris on the evening of May 22nd. There was no damage, and no casualties have been reported. •'A second raid, in relays, was made early this morning, 30 machines participating. Only ono reached the capital and dropped a few bombs, killing one and wounding twelve. Further casualties are reported in outlying districts. The raiders met a fierce barrage, and were chasod by a large squadron of French 'planes."

(Renter's Telegrams.)

LONDON May 23. A correspondent at French Headquarters gives the following particulars of tlie new giant Gotha bombing plane, which tho Germans employed in the latest night raids on France and England:—lt has a wing spread of 40 metres, is driven by three motors, each of 300 horse-power, and accommodates nine:passengers, but on raids the crew numbers five or six, in order to permit of carrying more bombs and petrol. Tho plane carries about two tons of bombs, including one about a ton in weight, nrd containing 850 kilos of explosive. Owing to tho difficulty of machines of such size landing at night, there probably will bo a high proportion of losses through accidents.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, May 23. The correspondent of the "Now York Times" at the American front announces that the French have brought down tlie giant German aeroplane which was attacked by Major Lufberry. A bullet pierced the pilot's armour. The machine was found to contain six machine-guns, operated by two gunners.