WAR IN THE AIR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12405, 24 August 1918, Page 9

WAR IN THE AIR.

EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS.

TOWNS, RAILWAYS AND AERODROMES ATTACKED. Australian and N.it. Cable Association. (Received August 24, noon.) LONDON, August 23. Sir Douglas Haig’s aviation report states Thick mist prevented our aeroplanes participating in th 0 early stages of tho attack northward of Ancro on August 22, but when tho weather cleared their participation became active. Our airmen attacked hostile troops and transports at ,low altitudes with bombs and machine-guns, scattering ammunition waggons and marching columns, They also in several cases silenced guns firing on onr tanks by means of bombs and machine-gunning from the air.

Me dropped twelve tons of bombs during the day and destroyed twentyone aeroplanes. Eight British machines are missing. Our night bombers dropped twenty-five ami a half tons on different targets. Cnmbrai and Marcoing stations wore- heavily attacked, also a number of bridges, railway lines, aerodromes and billots. AVe broke down the Anbigny-nu-Bao bridge on tho Douni-Cambrai road.

r lhe Air Ministry reports that despite the enemy’s determined protective efforts, consisting of large numbers of aeroplanes and nu increased number of anti-aircraft guns, we heavily attacked fire important German towns and five aerodromes. M’c attacked Frankfort and Cologne on the nights of August. 22 and 23, with very good results. The bombs landed all round the stations and barracks. < AA'o also successfully attacked the 'Treves railway junction. Me heavily bombed four aerodromes, bitting many hangars. AA’e attacked chemical factories at Mannheim on the morning of August. 22. AA’e .successfully bombed the objective, and the fiercest fighting occurred on the return journey, as a result of which five British machines are missing. An American official message states: —AA’e carried out a successful raid northward of tho Amsle. Our aviators on August 21 and 22 successfully bombed the railway yards at Longayon, Audon, Lo Ronuuan and C’onflans, and secured many direct hits.