AERIAL CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER ARMS IN ATTACK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16926, 12 August 1918, Page 5

AERIAL CO-OPERATION WITH OTHER ARMS IN ATTACK.

I' ' AMMUNITION DELIVERED TO ADVANCED FORCES. v ' ' HAVOC CREATED AMONG RETREATING ENEMY TROOPS. Australian and N.Z. and E«uter. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 10, T; Sir Douglas Haip's aviation report states Aeroplanes co-operated with the other arms on the battlefront throughout the day, and supplied our advanced troops with ammunition.from the air. They also dropped smoke bombs before the tanks on their line of advance, concealing their approach from the enemy. Flying low, our squadrons used machine-guns and bombs against the retreating enemy, causing havoc in masses of troops and transport, and also with trains, junctions, and bridges. We destroyed 48 aeroplanes and drove down 17 5-'-V:' ; others out of control. Fifty-one British machines are missing, most \ '" of which were shot down from the ground. The airmen continued on Friday to co-operate with the infantry, cavalry, and tanks, and heavily bombed the Somme bridges by day and night. An earlier report stated: We dropped over 17 tons of bombs in ■ . the daytime on Thursday, with good effect. Fifteen hostile machines ' were brought down and seven driven down out of control. Two British . machines are missing. Bad weather hampered the operations last if- ' night, but a ton of bombs was dropped by our 'planes. One of our • ■' nightfliers is missing. '.-.'.', The Air Ministry reports: Our aeroplanes successfully attacked ' "explosive factories at Rombach, with good results. All,returned. A total of 184 enemy aeroplanes were brought down in July, while 154 were seen to fall disabled behind the German lines. Our aeroplanes ' in July set fire to 49 enemy captive balloons. Our bombing machines in July dropped 194 tons of projectiles during the day and Wmm during the night, on the Marne bridges and enemy troops south ' of tho Aisne, and on stations in the region of Laon and Hirsin Bethel. ! ■ An Italian naval official report states: British and Italian air i; . activities since Wednesday include the bombardment of military works at Wo and Cattaro. Fires created at Durazzo were visible from * distance of 50 miles. mmmt-- -— ——"