WAR IN THE AIR

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13666, 7 September 1916, Page 3

WAR IN THE AIR

BRITISH AIRMAN'S DARING. TEAT,

ZEPPELIN BROUGHT

AWARDED VICTORIA CROSS,

(Australian and N.yi, Cable Association,) (OJlieia..)

LONDON, September 5,

It is officially announced that the King has awarded Klisiit Lieutenant William Robinson, of the Wnrceslcrs and the Flying Corps, I lie Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery, Fliglit-Licutcnant Robinson attacked an airship during the last raid, under circumstances of great difficulty and danger, and sent the vessel to the ground in a flaming •wreck, Robinson had been in the air for two hours, and had previously'attacked another airship, The War Office adds: The airship passed through a heavy and accurate gunfire, but it was established beyond doubt that Robinson's aeroplane was the main factor in its destruction, Robinson attacked the raider with the utmost gallantry and judgment, and brought it down,

DROPPING THE FATAL BOMB,

BRILLIANT EXPLOIT IN THE TRACKLESS AIR.

HERO'S SUCCESSFUL EFFORT,

("Kcutcr's 'lVli'gi'itms.")'

Received September 6, at (3.55 p.m. LONDON, September (5. Flight-Lieutenant Robinson was scouting when the searchlights revealed the Zeppelin. He followed the invader for twenty niinutcs and signalled to the anti-aircraft gunners to stop firing. The intrepid airman narrowly escaped 'the flaming debris after dropping the fatal bomb: Flight-Lieutenant Robinson is only twenty,-one years of 'age. He was born in India and obtained Ms certificate last year. He visited the wrcckago of the Zeppelin after his feat and was presented with an .Iron Cross found in the wreck. Flight-lieutenant Robinson earned £3OOO in'prizes for bringing down the first Zeppelin in Britain,

INQUEST ON THE VICTIMS.

MILITARY FUNERAL SUGGESTED,

(Australian and N.JS. Cnblo Association.) Received September G, at G. 55 p,m, LONDON, September 5... At the inquest on tho Zeppelin victims, tho evidence showed thai; shrapnel from the anti-aircraft; guns was seen bursting around, A few minutes later the Zeppelin buret Into flames, Imt it is staled that if the aeroplane had been absent, the Zeppelin would have escaped. Nothing was found. by which to identify the corpses! A verdict was returned that the Zeppelin was' brought clown by an aeroplane piloted by Flight-Lieu-tenant Robinson, Tho Coroner announced that the victim's would bo accorded a military funeral to the nearest cemetery. Received September 0, 0.55 p.m.. ; LONDON, September fi, Some of the newspapers protest against the "War Office ordering a military funeral for the Zeppelin crew.

RAID ON VENICE,

SEAPLANES' BOMBS HARMLESS,

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association,) Received September (i,i),5 p,m, ' LONDON, September S, An Italian .communique says: Seaplancse dropped twenty bombs on Yen ice withuut doing any damage,