THE FOKKER SCARE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16600, 25 January 1916, Page 5

THE FOKKER SCARE.

BRITISH SUPREMACY MAINTASKED. BATTLEPLANES MORE THAN A MATCH. PAHIS, January 24. (Received Jan. 24, at 9.5 p.m.) Renter's correspondent here reports: " Owing to the Fokker scare I visited the lieadqnarters v of the Flying Corps in France, and returned in a mood of buoyant reassurance, convinced that the British are maintaining the aerial initiative they have held since the earli est days. The British flights are five times as many as those of Germany. The Fohker's radius of action is less than 150 miles, and it is only used for defence. In the British reconnais> sances, which are made daily, we are establishing the principle of the con» voy. Newly invented battleplanes now escort reconnoitring aeroplanes. Recently one of these escorting battleplanes was 2000 feet above the German . trenches when two Fokkers appeared. The Biitish aviator directed a furious end-on fire and the leading Fokker dived erratically earthwards. The second Fokker was then above the British aeroplane, which swiftly climbed and opened fire 100 feet above the Fokker." (Received Jan. 24, at 9.15 p.m.) " Within 30 seconds the Fokker plunged into a ploughed field. The victor climbed to a height of 10,500 feet, met and attacked an Albatross, which fluttered down amongst some trees. The British aviator, satisfied with his day's work, was returning when he saw a third Fokker among several of our scouts. Swooping within 70 feet he pumped in a volley, and the Fokker dived from a height of 3000 feet.