AERIAL NIGHT RAID.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1387, 20 November 1918, Page 6

AERIAL NIGHT RAID.

THRILLING BRITISH FEAT. DESTROYS GERMAN BRIDGE. The following details of a recent night raid by Britons illustrate the remarkable efficiency and skill of the bombing sections of the Royal Air Force. With food and heavy clothing for the long night journey, tliev were-ready at eight to leave the aerodrome. Punctually to the minute, the- engines were started, and the machine rose on its long flight. The hues were soon crossed, and far a time pilot and observer flew ovpr well-known territory, whoso roads and forests were familiar. Then they arrived at the last outpost of the known country, and flew on. Brilliant moonlight lit the country below, and farms and groups of trees could be seen from a great height. Soon the area, of darkened.-towns was passed and small groups of twinkling lights, with little rays of scattered lamps, showed the villages; while the big towns sparkled with countless points of light like gems, Rivers and towns and roads and forests appeared in accordance with the map as the machine flew onwards on a dead Istraigth line. Xo searchlights or shells barred the way now, the battle area being left behind. At last the silvery ribbon of the river, across which lay the bridge, was before them. The scattered lights of the town near began to be seen, and the pilot and observer carefully examined all the surrounding features of the country—the roads and stream-;, and woods—to make sure that they had arrived at the right place. There was no doubt they flew over the town and saw the bridge, and then gliding down with silent engines, slowly drew nearer -and nearer to the objective. The town, so far behind the lines, and so long unmolested, twinkled gaily. Its cafes and .squares wen; probably crowded with German officers. The approaching tumult must have been csuite unexpected.

The observer, holding his bomb handle, guided the pilot to the right and left with red 'and greeri signal lights. The bridge looked very small, like a mere match laid across the river. It was an extremely difficult target to hit. Ho hud but a feubomb;. His machine was the only one. The destruction of the bridge was of vital military importance) Ho had flown 150 miles to do it—three times as far as from Loudon to Brighton. The responsibility was great. He lay watching the bridge through tho cockpitfloor. The line of his bight crossed it. and tho luminous "ranee'' bars drew nearer and nearer to it. At last they touched the bridge. Ho pushed his hand forward once, twice, and again, and heard the clatter of the bombs falling out behind. He hurriedly rejoined the pilot who turned the machine so that ho could watch the bridge. With strained eyes they looked down to the little silver ribbon and the black line across it. Suddenly they saw a- great Hash and a cloud of white smoko in tho water, then another on the bridge, and another, and then a few more beyond. The bridge lay covered in a pall of smoke, and as the smoke rose it could bo seen that the bridge was destroyed. At once tho airmen began their long monotonous journey back and landed at half-past twelve, after a flight or five hours. Soon the report camo through': "The railway bridge at was successfully at lacked and put Out. Of action. Seventeen Germans were killed. A boat was sunk, and the house near the bridge, containing all the working plans, was destroyed. The Germans are searching vainly for" them. All movement of troops hid to be diverted."