THE CHALLENGE FROM THE SKY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 53, 26 November 1917, Page 7

THE CHALLENGE FROM THE SKY

THRILUNG AIR DUEL BETWEEN BRITON AND HUN MASTER AIRMEN FIGHT (By Second Lieutenant F.. J. Sleath.) [Authorised by the War Office for publication, per medium of-the Royal Colonial Institute.]. There is a greater sporting spirit in the German Flying Corps than in any other branch of the German Army, and the result is that individual German fliers on occasion, outstep the bounds of regulation and engage in little, adventures on their own initiative. Some, times they even carry their individuality to the extent of accepting the ■challenges which British pilots frequently drop into their aerodromes. ■One such incident arose out of a squadron flight somo time ago over the Somme area. 'Four British machines were engaged on tho one side against about twenty German aeroplanes. Owing to tho excellence of tho British 'planes the pilots were able to put a splendid fight in spito of tho odds against them, and tho appearanoe of a IVench squadron on the way home from a bombing raid completed the rout of the Huns. They hurriedly broke off the fight and dived for home. One British pilot throughout the whole fight had been engaged with the same adversary, a German flying a large black machine. Both had proved themselves masterairmen. Each had pitted his best skill against the other, climbing and diving, "stalling" and looping, with such excellence of craftsmanship that neither one nor the other could claim the slightest advantage. The Challenge and tho Fight. When the German flight commander called off his machines tho two had ■perforce to separate. But the British pilot was far from satisfied; He wrote out a note challenging tho German to meet him at a certain time" and place in order to finish the fight. The British machines had been bombing an aerodrome when they were attacked, so the pilot was able to drop his chalilentje when he was', reasonably certain of it being picked up. and delivered. The message reached the person intended, for when, our pilot approached the rendezvous on the moming'.he had fixed for the fight the black aeroplane was waiting for him. He had been doubtful as to whether the German would accept the'challenge, but when he saw his adversary.coming to meet him he realised that a worthy antagonist was confronting him—a man as sportsmanlike as himself. The fight which followed 1 is still spoken of appreciatively by the infantry who were lucky enough to observe it. Every trick of airmanship was tried, all tho usual and unusual "stunts" reproduced' in rapid succession. "The mists' of the morning were wreathing the ridg'o tops.- -The-line was bathed in the calm of the early day. And these' two' aeroplanes, like giant mayflies, called by the dawn to a life which would clasp with the twilight, danced the'dance of death, together in the rays of the rising sun. The German gained an early advantage. The first encounter left the Briton with a bullet wound in the shoulder, his chin and throat sprayed with glass fragments from a.broken instrument, But he was' unconscious of.. his wounds. He grimly countered every move, of his adversary and waited for the chances which he knew would come to him. The possibility of defeat never entered into his mind. Yet he was steadily weakening from the loss of blood. He did not realise this himself: But the German quickly recognised the"signs, and began to take liberties with the Britain. His swerves became less incisive. -He grew careless about the distance he allowed his opponent. A Spray of bullets through his planes taught him that his adversary was still dangerous, and he determined to bring the fight to a speedy end.; The Dramatic Ending. Gaining altitude he dived down on his enemy. The Briton saw him coming and side looped into the rear position. The German flattened but and turned, but ere he could get away our pilot had checked his dive and "stalled" his machine right underneath. For a moment the British aeroplane seemed to stand on its tail, while the Gorman passed overhead. Then the ma-chine-nun rattled out. The bullets slashed into tho heart of. the 'plane and the fight was over. Tho black machine lurched as if struck by a,blow, .recovered, and lurched again. Down went its nose. Like the bladed seed of the plane tree detached by an autumn gale, the dived, whirling to tho \ earth. In an almost fainting condition, the Briton wore his •. machine I round and flew painfully homeward. J Bit* '