THE AERIAL CONTEST

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 43, 19 August 1918, Page 7

THE AERIAL CONTEST

A UNPARALLELED WEEK

339 ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED".

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 17th August.

The past week has been unparalleled as regards air activity. The results were disastrous to the Germans and encouraging to us. The battle which began on the eve of the Somme offensive was the biggest during the war period in number of machines engaged; the intensity of the fighting, and the magnitude of the enemy's losses during tlio fighting,, especially on the first day between Albert and the Amiens-Royeroad. An important feature is the effect on the enemy. Though the enemy was largely reinforced on the first day, his resistance subsequently was markedly weaker. His scouts operated in larger formations, probably owing to the losses, but the British "attacked with undiminishedl determination, and inflicted even heavier losses. The total for the- week is 339 destroyed and 123 driven down out of control. There has been an enormous amount of other activity behind the enemy's lines, and 320 tons of bombs were dropped with notable success. The work included the continuous bombarding of the ■Samme bridges clay and night, in which the lessons which the British airmen learned on the Piave were applied with signal effectiveness.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—-COPYRIGHT.!

LONDON, 17th August.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: We destroyed four, aeroplanes and drove down five. We dropped 22£ tons of bombs, and heavily attacked two aerodromes, several dumps, and railway connections.

LONDON, lath August, 0.30 a.m. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Fifteenenemy aeroplanes have been brought down, and six British machines a.re missing. Aerodromes at Haubourdin and Lommu were heavily attacked on 16th and 17th August by a large number of our machines. Six hangars at Haubourdin and two machines standing in the open al Loiiunu were destroyed. Fires were noticed at both places.

LONDON, 17th August.

A French communique states : Twentythree enemy aeroplanes were brought down on 15th August.

LONDON. 18th Angus!

A French communique states : Twelve German aeroplane? wero brought cjown jtesterdajr.