The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-01-20
NINE AIRMEN FIGHT
SEVEN GERMANS AND TWO BEL,
CLANS HAVE HIGH RATTLE.
Dunkirk Thrilled as Defending Aero
planes Go up to Engage Bomb
Dropping Invaders.

A London dispatch says Dunkirk
was visited by German aeroplanes in
force early Sunday afternoon. It is
reported that in all thirty bombs were
dropped, and 1t is known that several
houses near the station and docks
caught fire. No one was killed in
Dunkirk itself, but the correspondent
reports that in the suburb Of Malo-
s-Bains five civilians were killed
and a few injured. There were also
few civilians injured in the city.
Tbs is the sixth visit which the Ger
man aviators have paid to Dunkirk
within the past fortnight. According
to an eyewitness seven aeroplanes
appeared over the city at about 2
O'Clock. A fairly strong wind was
blowing, and under the circumstances
their presence was not expected. The
aeroplanes were flying at height of
about $500 feet end almost in single
file. The sky was somewhat obscur-
ed and rain was falling.
AS the military authorities were
prepared, the raiders were met by a
hail of lead from mitrailleuses and
anti-air craft guns. The Germans
took leisurely survey Of fortifica-
tions and then dropped the bombs in
quick succession No damage was
done to the military works, but evil
dently incendiary bombs were issued,
as several houses speedily caught file.
Having had previous experience of
these raids the residents hid them
selves in their cellars on hearing the
first explosions After dropping their
missiles the airmen were preparing
to leave when two Belgian aeroplanes
were seen coming to the attack. A
thrilling encounter in the air was
the WITNESSED.
Although outnumbered, seven to
two, the Belgians fought gallantly
and completely outmanoeuVred their
opponents. They rose to height of
1000 feet and having gained this ad-
vantage fred at the Germans with
mitrailleuses. It was exceedingly diff
fcult and dangerous work and de-
manded the greatest skill, for the
slightest slip, resulting from the fair
iy high wind blowing at the time,
would have sent airmen and machines
to the ground.
The battle lasted only forty-fve
minutes. Then five Of the German
machines drew off, it is believed, be-
cause they were short Of ammunition.
The two remaining aviators strove
desperately to gain the 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 aeroplanes swerVed and dropped
The airman had been hit in vita!
spot and had lost control Of his ma
hine. This crashing to the ground in
a. ploughed field on the outskirts OF
the city on the road to Furnes, was
completely wrecked. The airman was
killed on the spot and was found
among the mass of twisted metal.
The seventh and last aeroplane
quickly disappeared in the direction
of Calais and appeared over that city
as dusk was gathering. There three
bombs were dropped. Two fell near
| the docks and the third into the sea-
no casualties or material damage be-
ing caused.
AS at Dunkirk the airman was i'm
mediately fred on by the anti-air
craft guns, which are ready mounted
for the purpose. After lowering
fabout the city for a few minutes the
airman swung round again in the
direction Of Dunkirk and was lost IN
the darkness