New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-12
rBy Cable to TIE Tribunel

London. Jan. IA correspondent o.
The Daily Chronicle writing from
the Franco-Belgian border, gives
thrilling account of a battle IN the
clouds between German and french
eeroplanes. the end of which took place
at an altitude of 5000 feet and resulted
in the death of a German aviator. Inc
battle was in connection with the aero
raid on Dunkirk by German alrshlps.
which dropped thirty bombs on the
French city. The correspondent writes:
Early yesterday Sunday afternoon
Dunkirk was visited by German aero
planes in force. II IS reported tnat IN
all thirty bombs we're dropped, ara
is known that several houses near the
station and docks caught ire. NO one
was killed in Dunkirk itself, but near
that at the suburb of Malo-les- Bans
five civilians were killed and Few
injured. There were also few CIVIL
ians injured in the city.
This is the sixth visit the German
aviators have paid Dunkirk within the
last fortnight. According 20 an eye
witness. seven planes appeared over the
city about , o'clock. A fairly strong
wind was blowing. and in the elrcum-
stances their presence was not expect
ed. The aeroplanes were flying at
height Of about $500 feet and almost
i'm single file. The sky was somewhat
obscured and rain was falling. AS the
military authorities were prepared the
raiders were met by hail of lead from
mit-ailleuses and anti-aircraft guns.
Residents Rush TO Cellar.
"The Germans took leisurely sur
vev Of the fortifications and then
dropped the bombs in quick succession.
No damage was done TO the military
works. but evidently incendiary bombs
were used, as several houses speedily
caught fire. Having had previous eX-
perience of these raids, the residents
quickly hid themselves in their cellars
on hearing the first explosions.
after dropping their missiles the
airmen were preparing to leave, when
two Belgian aeroplanes were seen com
ing 10 the attack. A thrilling encounter
in the air was then witnessed. Al
though outnumbered seven 10 two,
the Belgans fought CALAMITY and com
pleted outmanpuvred their opponents.
They rose 20 height of 1000 feet, and
having gained this advantage they ired
at the Germans with mitrallleuses. ~
was exceedingly difficult and dangerous
work and demanded the greatest skill,
for the slightest slip resulting from
the fairly high wind blowing at the
time would have sent the airmen and
machines to the ground.
Five of German Airships Withdraw.
"The battle lasted about forty-fve
minutes. Then five of the German ma
chimes drew off. 1t is believed they
were short of ammunition. The two
remaining aviators strove desperately
TO gain an advantage, but as they rose
higher, so the Belgians rose, and held
their advantage until the final phases
Of the air combat were fought at
height of about 5000 feet. Suddenly,
the spectators say, one of the aviators
swerved and dropped. The sirman had
been hit in vital spot and had lost
control of his machine. This, crashing
I TO the ground IN "a ploughed field on the
outskirts of the town, on the road TO
, Furnes. was completely wrecked. The
airman was killed on the spot and was
found among the mass Of twisted metal.
/ Hundreds of spectators thronged 10 the
| scene.
"The seventh and last aeroplane
| ouickly disappeared in the direction of
Calais and appeared over that city as
dusk was gathering there. Three bombs
] were uIOIptu lNO l'iA hN"A Wv NNN'''
and the third into the sea, causing no
casualties or material damage. AS at
! Dunkirk, the airman was Immediately
fred on by anti-aircraft guns, which
are ready mounted for the purpose.
/ After lowering about the city for few
minutes the airman swung round again
/ in the direction Of Dunkirk and was lost
in the darkness
81 had part Of the information for
| the foregoing account of the raid from
brother of one Of the Belgian ar
men who took part in the fighc and
/ chase"
/ Dispatches to some Of the morning
papers say that another airman was
/ brought down twenty miles from Dun
| kirk.
/ Paris, Jan. 1.-Two German aero
! planes heading for Paris were sighted
I yesterday By French air patrols. which
now cruise over region considerably
to the north Of Paris. One of the
| German machines was near PoDtoise
| and the other was sighted over La
Martin. Both turned northward again
when they saw French aeroplanes driy-
ing in their direction.
The presence Of the hostile aero
IF It's Advertised in
/ Ths Tribntle
Jst. C,,,s.ck..I