WAR IN THE AIR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9999, 17 June 1918, Page 6

WAR IN THE AIR

COMBAT OVER NORTH SEA BRITISH FIGHT AGAINST GREAT ODDS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Juno 17, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON. Juno 15. Increased activity of German naval airmen in tho North Soa led to a number of eiciting combats ill which the British moro than hold their own. ' Details of tho fight cabled on Juno Bth show that five British seaplanes wero patrolling. Owing to a broken petrol pipe ono descended to tho sea for repairs. The others chased off fivo enemy seaplanes who declined to fight. Subsequently they chased off two more. Half-an-hour later ten German machines appeared. Our four immediately gave action and drove down two largo seaplanes riddled with shot, one bursting into flames as it reached tho water. Cue of ours was damaged and eventually landed at Vlieland, as did tho 'plane with the broken petrol pipe. Tho crows were interned. During the fight two of the enemy became detached from the main body. There was an exciting combat, in the course of which ono of our assistant pilots was shot in the head a'nd died instantaneously. The chief pilot continued to navigate his machino although attacked from the rear and below by four enemy machines on ono side and three on. the other. The British pilot nose-dived and fought a running fight from tho stern with all seven machines, and finally foiced them to break off tho pursuit.