The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1918-09-19
How the British Royal Flying
Force Conducts Bombing
Expedition.
AIRMEN TAKE MANY Chances
6ritons Prefer Daylight Work While
Germans Favor Night Operations
-Aerodromes Favorite Target
for British Flyers.

LOndOu.-Nigi,t raids of the royal
air force usually have concentrations
of German troops, billetS and the like
moral and personal, than at material
damage. Daylight raids have the pur-
pose of damaging specific objects, such
as railroads, lines of communication.
dumps of stores and ammunition and
aerOdrOmeS.
The daylight raiding ma chineS fly in
formation, accompanied and protected
by other machines. The bombing ma
chimes meet at a prearranged rendez-
vOus, we'll on fhe British side of the
lines, where they maneuver into cor
rect formation.
Once over the target, the fighters
scatter and patrol the neighborhoOd
while the bombers discharge their mis-
sles on the detectives. Unless anti
aircraft fire is exceptionally. heavy.
they generally dive a few thousand
feet to make sure of the target and
when their work is completed rise
again to the level of the escort.
German aerodromes are a favored
target and great is the delight OF
pilot when he can report that hos
tile machine surrounded by mechanics
was about to ascend, but that he OBJ
tanned direct hit and the German
Misunderstanding the personnel
appeared to be severely damaged"
On one occasion q British pilot in
bombing raid descended TO 400 feet I'M
der intense rifle fire, successfully
bombed a German airplane just emerg-
ing from its hangar and then tried to
make off. At that moment his engine.
possibly by reason of the German fire,
failed. and he had to descend. BY
Skillful gliding he managed to land
of a mile away. though
in full view Of the Germans. Instead
Of firing his machine at once. he
Jumped out and quite unperturbed pro-
ceeded to overhaul his engine. Luckily
he found the cause OF the trouble at
once, put it right, adjusted the con-
trolls and swung the propeller. The
engine STARVED, he jumped in with the
nearest German only hundred yards
off and opening his throttle raced
over the ground and into the air amid
a fusillade of bullets. The sequel in
Guided q safe return and-a we'll
earned military cross.
When all the bombs have been
dropped and the formation resumed
he machines head for home. 1t is on
he homeward journey that events may
10 expected, time enough having
,lapsed for the Germans to detail a
machines.
Sometimes an enterprising German
pilot will wait alone for the hOming ,
convoy. hiding himself thousands or /
.eet M in the clouds until he sees his !
moment, then. singing out machlne' !
will dive at it, pouring out stream or
outlets as he dives. He may achleVe !
,is object, and send British ma
.hine crashing to earth, but whatever
no res,,lt the Germans method is the !
anne. He dives clean through the Tor
nation down many thousands or feet'
nlv "hattening out" when close to the
round.
The whole affair is so sw1ft-Just
ne. lightning dive-that long De1Ore n I:
British fighter can reach the German
% is thousands Of feet below, headlhg
or home and safety. Inc SURPRISE
i've is his one chance.
Sometimes German squadron inter
ents returning British formation.
he British fighting machines spread
ut in a screen to allow the bombers
nance TO escape, and then attack tine
,ermans as they arrive. Battle Is
,ined in the air, 1t may be that "one
Z the British machines Is missing
is more likely that German ma
hives u,ere seen to crash" Meanwhile t.
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