ALLIED AIRMEN RESUME ACTIVE PART IN BATTLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16824, 15 April 1918, Page 5

ALLIED AIRMEN RESUME ACTIVE PART IN BATTLE.

ENEMY MASSES IN FLANiTERS SEVERELY HANDLED. STEADY RAIN OF PROJECTILES ON STRATEGIC POINTS. Australian and N.Z. and Eeuter. (Reed. 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, April 13. Atmospheric conditions being favourable, there was a 'great concentration of our aeroplanes on the battlefront. Large numbers of low-flying machines were employed bombing and using machine-guns in the roads packed with enemy troops. Thirty-six tons of bombs were dropped, and over 110,000 rounds of ammunition were fired. Other formations, flying at a greater height, engaged the enemy's aeroplanes, which were extremely active on this sector. Forty hostile aeroplanes were brought down, and twenty driven down out of control. In addition, two*were shot down by anti-aircraft guns, and three hostile balloons destroyed. Twelve of our machines are missing. There was incessant bombing all night. Over 22 tons of bombs were dropped on different targets, including Don and Douai, important railway junctions between Mezieres and Itheims, and roaas leading to the battlefront in the neighbourhood of Estaires. A French communique reports: Our aviators have been most active, in the fine weather on the whole front. Our battleplanes made 350 trips and fought 160 combats. Eight enemy aeroplanes were brought down and 23 fell in their lines damaged. Five German captive balloons " were destroyed. Our bombing machines, including Italian aeroplanes, -' dropped 48 tons of projectiles on various stations, cantonments an*---convoys. Several fires and explosions were observed. .. ■ icollii " ' ' ' ' ; ;>'"^';!Kis l :