A DARING AIR FIGHTER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2889, 29 September 1916, Page 5

A DARING AIR FIGHTER

THREE DECORATIONS FOR VALOUR Australian-lfow Zealand Cable Association. London, September 27. 1 • Lieut., Ball has gained tho MilitaryCross, the D.5.0., and a special bar for an extraordinary series of air exploits. _ Observing seven enemy machines in formation, he attacked and shot down one at fifteen yards' range, and) the remaining machines fled. Seeing five others directly after, Ball; attacked one at ton yaMs' range, and 6ho't it down aflame. He attacked' a second, which was firing at him', and shot it down over .a village, where it landed on tho top of a house. He'then went back to the aerodrome for ammunition. and then returned and attacked three machines, causing all to dive, not under control. Being short of petrol;-Ball then returned home, his own machine being badly damaged. Later, when escorting a bombing raid party, .lie saw four enemy machines. He dived upon them, broke their formation, and.-shot the nearest, which fell. He observed twelve enemy machines in formation. He dived amongst them, and firefl a drum "of ammunition (50 round's) at the nearest machine, which fell, out of control. Several other hostile machines then approached, and Ball fired three drums 'of ammunition, driving another machine down out of control. Ho then returned to the: British lines. His aeroplane was much riddled.