HIS FIFTH CAPTURE IN THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2717, 11 March 1916, Page 12

HIS FIFTH CAPTURE IN THE AIR

$ —.— EXPLOrrS OF THF, lone FRENCHr . MAN. Paris, . February 7.—Sergeant' Pilot Giiynemcr, tiventy-ono years old. of the trench Flying Corps, Las just brought ■town his fifth German adversary, and has been mentioned for liis exploit in an official communication. Previously hs had been decorated with the cross of .the Legion of Honour, Clio war cross, and tile military medal for other feats. Uuynemer was a lad in college when the war began, and enlisted at once. Me had niiver been in an aeroplane, but at tlio end of seven days of training ha made- his trial flight for a pilot's license. Six weeks' training usually is "equireil. His work' at the front began m April of last 5-ear. It was not until December 5 that he began to make his record by hunting German aeroplanes At that time he brought down, singlehanded, a large German biplane. _ -Suvgeant Ciuynemer -flies alone, as did Garros ajid Pegoud, but instead of i luouoplano he uses a great biplane, «n which he makes ninety miles an hour. He accounted for four machines incline days. In Dccetnher the young sergeant fought a spectacular duel directly above the French lines, with bis mniradcs-in-arms cheering him enthusiastically below.' He was engaged with one of the famous Fokker aeroplanes, and though thero were two men aboard the Fokker he manoeuvred skilfully until ho brought his gun in range. At « distance of fifteen yards ho delivered a mortal blow, "The Old Charlen" is tho name given in the biplane which Sergeant Guyncmer manipulates. It is armed with » weapon which it is not permitted to describe. Ho handles it with Remarkable- facility and deadly precision, at. thirty yards, his gun became nnusplauc with great skill. Between I.hu times of his fourth and fifth successful duel Gnynemer had a narrow escape in a fight with a Fokker. At the moment of firing, at a distance of thirty yards, his gun became uouseI'.hle, the oil having frozen. attempted a quick turn, but, car-ri-.d on by the momentum, struck tho German machine with his upper piano and began to deseend abruptly. After Falling very rapidly for 500 yards the b'plann righted, itself, (hiynemor returned to the headquarters of his flotilla, hut had missed his fifth ma nhinc. which ho accounted for only a Tew day.-, later. His. antagonist went lo earth in flames after a short combat. I ..Guynemor'is of Scotch extraction.