GREAT AERIAL ATTACK

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13888, 14 October 1918, Page 4

GREAT AERIAL ATTACK

GERMAN CONCENTRATIONS ATTACKED. 350 'PLANKS TAKE PART. (Australian and N.Z. Calve Assn ) Received October 13, 5.5 p.m." NEW YORK, October 12. The New York Times' correspondent at the American front states that an American bombing squadron, consisting of more than 350 machines, dropped 32 tons of explosives behind the Herman lines between Warville and Damvilliers. The squadron composed 200 bombing 'planes, 100 pursuit machines and 50 triplancs. In a battle with the enemy 12 German machines were destroyed and one American. Willi the exception of the raid north of Verdun, this is the largest undertaken so far on the West front. GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACK REPELLED. (Reutcr's Telegrams.) Received October 13, 5.5 p.m. LONDON. October 11. Router's correspondent at American headquarters, writing on Friday, says that he witnessed a magnificent spectacle yesterday. The Germans were reported to be massing for a counter-attack east of the Meuse, and 200 bombing machines were dispatched with 32 tons of bombs, also 100 chasers and 50 triplanes. They covered the eptire sky in groups of a dozen, flying in V shape formation, the rays of the sun turning them into Cashes of silver, till the entire heaven sparkled with its new constellations. They crosed the river and, in the face of their bombing/the enemy counter-attack melted "away. Twelve German 'planes, which were unhappy enough to meet that mighty armada, were sent crashing to the ground. ENEMY UNMERCIFULLY BOMBED. CO-OPERATION WITH ATTACKING TROOPS. (The Times.) Received October 13, 5.5 p.m. PARIS, October 12. The 250 Franco-American aeroplanes, which participated in the battles, besides bombing thc enemy unmercifully, co-operated in regulating the gunfire, supplying ammunition to the advanced posts, dropping smoke screens to conceal thc movements of the infantry, and attacking observation balloons far behind the lines. GERMAN AIRCRAFT INACTIVE FURTHER RAIDS ON GERMAN TOWNS. Received October 13, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, October 12. Sir Douglas Haig states that despite the weather our low llyers continued to harass thc retreating enemy. German aricraft are inactive, but we destroyed two aeroplanes. Night Hying is impossible. The Press Bureau states that the independent force, on Thursday night, despite mists, attacked the railways at Thionville, Metz Sablon and Mezieres, blast furnaces at Rombach, and the aerodrome at Freeaty.

FRENCH AIRMEN ACTIVE. .NUMEROUS AIR FIGHTS. 'Australian, N.Z. and Reuter.) Received October 13, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, October 12. An aviation communique says that 35 tons of bombs were dropped in the daytime on Thursday in the Vouziers region, ammunition dumps being exploded. There were also numerous air fights. Seventeen enemy machines were brought down and eight balloons set on lire. Twenty-four tons of explosives were dropped at night on bivouacs, stations, convoys and trains. Two hundred and eleven enemy machines were brought down in September, mostly over the enemy lines. In addition 02 balloons were fired and 370 tons of projectiles dropped. HARASSING THE RETREAT. (■Australian and N.Z. and Reuter.) Received October 14, 9.15 a.m. London. October 13. Sir Douglas Haig's aviation report states that our low-fliers bombed and ■machine-gunned parties of German infantry and transport, dropping nine tons of bombs and inflicting casualties. Night Hying was impossible. THE SEPTEMBER TOLL. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 14, 9.1.5 a.m LONDON". October 13. The Press Bureau reports that 548 German aeroplanes were destroyed or disabled on the Western front in September. Fifty-nine balloons were also destroyed. Two hundred and thirty-six British machines are missing. The figures are exclusive of the heavy casualties inflicted by the independent air force and the British coastal squadrons in their raids in Germany and Belgium.