THE WAR IN THE AIR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 563, 29 November 1915, Page 8

THE WAR IN THE AIR.

BRITISH FLYER'S ACHIEVEMENT.

IMPORTANT BRIDGE ATTACK.

LONDON, November 27.

Flight-Commander J. R. W. SmythPigott, of the Royal Naval Air Service, has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order. On the night of November 13 he volunteered to attack the railway bridge of Kuleli Burgas. This great bridge crosses the Maritza River, on the only railway line connecting Constantinople, Dedeagatch, and Sofia. Flight-Commander SmythPigott located the bridge by the moonlight shining on-the river. He descended within 300 ft of the bridge before releasing his bombs. .The guards fired heavily, but despite engine trouble which commenced before he reached the bridge, he returned safely after a four" hours' flight.

t Kuleli Burgas is an important station on the Maritza River, which forms the boundary between Turkey and Bulgaria, - and flows into the 1 jEgean Sea just south of Enos. Kuleli Burgas is fully 50 miles from the mouth of the river. The bridge, which has several spans, is over a mile in-length,, 'crossing three curves of the river and a wide'marshy expanse. There is a'permanent guard-house at each end of the bridge.].