DARING AERIAL WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16936, 23 August 1918, Page 5

DARING AERIAL WORK.

ENEMY HANGARS ATTACKED

HEAVY.DAMAGE INFLICTED.

A. and N.Z.

LONDON. Aug. 21.

Mr. Gordon Gilmou'r/ special correspondent of . the Australian Press .'Association, describes two daring air raids carried out by large squadrons well behind >■ the German . lines .in which Australian "" airmen took a* prominent part./ He 'says the leader, on' reaching his objective, dived and almost entered the door of an aerodrome. ;„ He counted eight machines inside. While almost touching the ground the airman dropped a couple of bombs, directly hitting the hangar.'. Fire broke out, and quickly spread to adjacent canvas aeroplane sheds. ; Four other aeroplanes, following, the leader, began attacking with machine-guns and bombs. An indescribable panic followed, many Germans fleeing, pursued by low-flying machines. .; <i vi; The raiders remained ..over the aerodrome 35 minutes. ■ Soon not a sign of life remained, while thick smoke was rising from the burning hangars, workshops and airmen's quarters. Then the raiders scattered, following traffic along the roads, and .< bombing everything visible until their supplies of bombs were exhausted. I ~'•.( v .'.'..■•..

In a second raid the squadron burned eight enemy hangars. ,It is believed they destroyed 50 machines. The raiders, keeping at a low altitude, came under the direct fire of enemy field guns' at a range, of 800 ft.