British air squadrons carried out successful raids in Germany on
May 31. Long-distance bombing machines crossed the Rhine and, in
spite of strong opposition from enemy aircraft, dropped over a ton
of bombs on the station and workshops at Karlsruhe. Another group of
British airplanes dropped a ton of bombs on the railway triangle of
Metz-Sablons with good effect and without losses. During the course
of the day thirty-one tons of bombs were dropped on different targets
behind the enemy lines. Twenty German machines were destroyed in air
fighting, and six were driven out of control. During the night sixteen
tons of bombs were dropped on targets in enemy territory. Six tons
were dropped on the Bruges docks and on the Zeebrugge-Bruges Canal. In
addition, four tons were dropped on railway junctions and the stations
at Metz-Sablons, Karthaus, and Thionville.
Another typical day's work of the British aviators was that described
in the official report issued on June 6. On the previous night
long-distance bombing machines again attacked the Metz-Sablons station
triangle and also the railway sidings at Thionville, dropping five tons
of bombs with good results, although the visibility was indifferent.
Next morning (June 6) the railway station at Coblenz was heavily
attacked. The fine weather of June 5 enabled the British airmen to
carry out much photographic, reconnoissance, and artillery work. Twenty
tons of bombs were dropped on different targets, including hostile
dumps and railway billets, the Armentières and Roye stations, and the
Zeebrugge seaplane base. In addition long-distance day bombing machines
heavily attacked the railway station and barracks at Treves, and the
Metz-Sablons railway station, and the railways at Karthaus, returning
without loss. Seven hostile machines and three German observation
balloons were shot down during the day, and three hostile airplanes
were driven down out of control. Four of the British machines are
missing. On the night of June 5 thirteen tons of bombs were dropped on
the St. Quentin, Boesinghe, Cambrai, and Armentières stations.