DARING AIR RAIDS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14689, 22 August 1918, Page 5

DARING AIR RAIDS.

DAMAGE TO ENEMY HANGARS. . INDESCRIBABLE PANIC. and N Z Calile Association.) . . (Received August 22, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, Aug.. 21. Mr. Gordon Gilmour- descrilies two daring air raids, carried out . by large squadrons Wrell behind the German lines, m which Australian fliers took a prominent part. Ho says: Th© leader on reaching tho objective, dived and almost entered the <loor^ of a. big aerodrome. He counted eight machines inside. While almost touching the gi'ound tho airman dropped a couple Of bombs, directly hitting the 'hangar. A fire broke out and quickly spread Vi adjacent canva* aeroplane sheds. Four other planes, following the leader began machine-gunning amd bombing, and an indescribable panic followed, many Germans fleeing pursued by loav-< flying machines. ' The raiders remained over the aerodrome for thirty-five minutes and soon not a sign of life remained, while -a thick smoke was rising from the burning hangars, workshops, and- airmen's quarters. Then 'the raiders scattered, following traffic along the, roads, bombing every tlning visible till; their : supplies of. bombs were, exhausted. , In a second raid, the squadron burned eight hangars. It is believed they destroyed fifty machines. The ' raiders, keeping their altitude, "fcame under the direct fire of fieldV guns at 'a range of iight hundred i eet. . "- - >A Tlie Australians " picturescjuely declare that the missiles inclutied^ ."gi'and pianos." gum boots, and every thdng moveable. . The raiders dispersed jCavjj ■ .■ .. - .^ ..-; ...-:• - -v..- „. The ... Australian' fliers declare they haye the Hups cold. , ,