American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-01-28

AHiiinS hHNtlt AlOhB lHe IItuCH
SeacOaSt.
For the first time In the history of
the world, general sky battles have
been fought along the French-Belgian
s%easoast.
A fleet composed of from IL TO 10
German aeroplanes, the largest num-
Der of air raiders ever assembled, at
tackled the French coast town of Dun
kirk from the sky Saturday. Several
British and French aviators assembled
and at a dizzy height the first great
aerial battle in the, history of the
world was fought along the seacoast.
Twenty hours earlier a fleet of
British aeroplanes bombarded the Bel
gian port of Zeebrugge held by the
Germans. The English aviators drop
ped % bombs, aimed at two German
submarines lying in the harbor and at
guns mounted at Mole Island. One
submarine is believed to have been
damaged seriously and severe loss of
life occurred among the German gun
crews.
The United States consulate in
Dunkirk was partially wrecked by a
German shell hurled from the sky.
The bomb exploded just outside the
consulate and every window in the
building was shattered. Part of the
furniture was destroyed and attaches
suffered injuries from flying splinters.
The German air attack upon Dun
kirk, 1t is believed. was inspired by
reports that headquarters of the Brit
ish field army, General French COM
handing, were located on the French
seacoast town. Flying at a height OF
nearly 1000 feet the German bird
craft, eyading French and British
scouts along the battle line near
Newport, suddenly appeared over Dun
kirk like a flock of gigantic s~eagulls.
h city was without warning of their
coming. A terrific explosion that
wrecked a portion of the Dunkirk
dock sheds gave the first intimation of
the raid. In rapid succession the bombs
began dropping along the dock and
In the streets of Dunkirk as the Ger
mans plotted their machines in low
sweeping spirals. At least 100 explo-
sive missiles were hurled from the
sky. The admiralty makes no an
regarding the casualties.
but the censor permitted a French
that several lives were lost |
to be filed. A squadron of British avi-
ators, encamped at the outskirts OF
Dunkirk. took to the air to engage the
Germans. The British aerial forces
commanded by Richard B. Da-
vies and Flight Lieutenant Richard
Pierce.
Davies. plotting a speedy biplane.
straight toward the German
while they were still sweeping
the city I'm great circles. Clutch
ing the levers Of his machine in one
hand he unslung rifle and began firing
1t a German birdman below him. The
Germans accepted the challenge. Be
ore Davies could extricate himself.
armored aeroplanes swarmed in
ipon him. A bullet pierced one of
he wings. One bullet struck him in
he thigh and as he dipped toward
'arth to evade the encircling Germans
wo leaden missiles tore gaps in the
anvas of his planes.
Meanwhile other aviators had speed-
d to Davies rescue. The wounded
Quadron commander made an abrupt
and his comrades took up the
'ursuit OF the Germans who we're now
'eing sharpneled by anti-aircraft guns
tationed along the coast.
Northward from Dunkirk and to-
Yard the Belgian frontier. the Ger
1ans fled. hugging the coast line. As
hey passed over the lines of the allies
ear Newport they were greeted with
Of rifle, shots, the allies in
antry having been informed by tele-
raph of the thrilling battle rapidly
their way.
One of the Germans, dropping be-
ind his fellows, attempted to evade t,
ursuit by making a wide detour over
ocean. Two British aviators speed
4 around him and the bullets from
rifles forced him back to the ]
past. A well aimed shot from Lieu
,nant Pierce's rifle struck the Ger
ANS engine. His machine came
lmbling TO the sandy beach. When