Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-06-03
British Officials Uncertain as
to Cause of BrittIeness of
Enemy Machines, Noticed
for Some Weeks.
DEFECTIVE METAL IS
MOST PROBABLE CAUSE
Artillery Fire Is Growing Live
Ier; Prisoners Believed
Working Close Behind the
Front Trenches.

From a Staff Correspondent of the
Associated Press with the British
Armies in France (via London, June
Q, 1880 p. m.)--While overcast skies
have limited the aerial offensive in
the last few days British pilots con-
tinue to bring in accounts of German
airplanes breaking TO pieces in the air
shortly after being attacked. This
tendency has been notable for more
than fortnight Once shot out of
control the German planes have lost
their wings, tails, and other gear to
such an extent that when they finally
crash to the ground very little wreck
age can be seem.
A day or two ago British pilot
flew at an enemy machine headon'
maneuvering at the last moment just
in time to avoid collision. One OF
the wings of the British plane scraped
one of the German wings, whereupon
the latter began to fall. The British
pilot dived after him and was startled
to see the Germans damaged wings
fly completely off while the tail
dragged as If its back was broken.
Cause Not Known Yet.
Whether faultiness in so many Ger
man machines is due to the speed
with which the Germans have to turn
them out to meet the British often
siye, or to lack of suitable material. Is
a. matter of no concern on this side
Of the line.
Recent attempts by the Germans to
use floating clouds as screens for air.
plano raids have led to some rather
spectacular sky bombardments by
British anti-aircraft guns. These
guns have occasionally driven the
raiders from cover and forced them
to turn back over their own line.
German aviators seem especially
trained in the defensive use of clouds,
for during air battles if bit of pass
ing vapor is available they invariably
dive or sidestep into it. This Is only
another demonstration of The Ger
man passion for digging In, such as
first brought the world war to trench
fighting.
lHt ptIIIlulS III WI .iic 'o'Nt 80
the air and under the sea.
Artillery Activity Grows.
The artillery activity appears grad
ually to be growing In intensity
along most of the British front with
raids and counter raids going on first
in one sector and then in another.
These raids are the means that the
armies have of keeping in touch with
the enemy and harassing him. First
introduced in the British armies by
the Canadians, raids were taken up
by the French and Germans. The
last named were never very success
full at the art. however, although re-
Gently captured Germans asserted
their company commanders promised
them iron crosses and long leaves OF
absence if they brought back even
one British prisoner in a raid.
Strange working parties recently
have been seen just behind the Ger
man front line. They labor under
the eyes of German guards with fixed
bayonets. The workers are clad in a
sort of gray uniform but wear straw
hats, derbies, or civilian caps. such
as often are given to prisoners of
war. 1t has been reported many
times lately that the Germans are de-
liberately working British prisoners in
very close proximity to the front line.
Three British soldiers. who had