Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 200, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1918 — Excel Enemy in Air [ARTICLE]

Excel Enemy in Air

British Air Force Headquarters in France—There have been many signs recently of extreme uneasiness by the German high command regarding the increasing ascendancy of the allied airmen on the western front. This has been especially evident since the AmeiS lean airmen have begun to appear in force and have proved themselves of the same mettle as the French and British flyers. Perhaps thq most striking evidence of German official anxiety regarding the allied superiority in the air is to be found in the official German wireless news. In an effort to counteract the depressing effect of the real facts of the situation, the German wireless editors make the wildest statements, bordering almost on humor. Thus a recent copy of the German wireless report says: “Superior methods of flying and greater skill have secured for the German air force suc-

cesses on a scale such as were never known before." "If Germany is really pleased with her air record for the last few months," remarked a British squadron leader to the correspondent, “there is no reason for us to complain. We ask nothing -better than that Germany should go on having the same kind of success in future months." He took as an example the report for May, which lay open on his desk. “This report," he explained, “deals with the British air fighting alone, and has no reference to the fine air work of the "French, Italians and Americans. During the month the British brought down 398 German machines In aerial combat, and twenty by Are from the ground, while 100 more were driven down out of control and probably destroyed. During the same period 128 British machines failed to return to their airdromes.**