AUSTRALIAN FLIERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 72, 18 December 1917, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN FLIERS

FINE WORK IN PALESTINE

LONG AND VALUABLE : RECONNAISSANCES Colonel Reynolds (staff officer oT the 'A.I.F. Aviation ■ Corps) says that it is doubtful if any unit was moro greatly Fesponsiblo for tho successes in Palestine and the capture of Jerusalem than iUio Australian fliers (writes tho.special representative of the "Sydney Sun"). They were entrusted with, the principal long reconnaissances, bombing, and photographing, and were frequently selected for the most dangerdhs tasks across unknown country, sometimes flying 250 miles a day. They Unfailingly achieved their objectives. Colonel Reynolds has returned from Palestine delighted with tho wonderful Imputation which tho Australians oarn<cd. "If I told you all that Allonby tond Chauvel'and other generals have Bald of tho boys you would think- I was exaggerating. It is impossible .?or words to convoy tho idea of tho appreciation in which by common con- ' Sent the Australian!) are held. They [nre the finest squadron in the camJpaicn. Many have bren there for 'Wgiiteen months practically without a Test. They aro sometimes aloft eight (hours a day. It is a groat mental and 'physical strain, yat they are never (missiiift when a dangerous job is iftbout." Wonderfully Keen Pilots. '' "The men aro drawn from the Light Horse, which supplied some of tho finest material, the work requiring coolness and judgment. Long flights across the lines often involve facing superior forces and faster machines. Tho Australians' higher skill enables them to evade the Germans, with tho result that casualties are comparatively low. I have watched several machines return freely speckled with bullets, and the officers unwounded.' The work of the present push is interesting, bombing 'aerodromes, railway stations, and bridges, pursuing and Telontlessly ma-chine-gunning Turks and not allowing . them a breathing space, thus contributing greatly to their defeat. The pilots are extraordinarily lcrsn, carrying on day and night. The squadron 'commander is perhaps the keenest of all. I saw him.fly out alow on two nights after a hard day's work. His Pal's Bag. "Tho Germans show a sporting ,/pirit, reporting our casualties and the condition of .prisoners. Recently _ a German airman reported that a missing pilot was captured, and safe. A pal collected his baggage and flew to the Turkish lines, where ho descended 'to within 70ft. of the ground, ne was heavily fired on, but saw the prisoner outsido an aerodrome, and dropped his bag at his feet. "Tho capture of the aerodrome at Beorsheba. revealed the destructive effects of the earlier bombing. A young Melbourneite hatl nn unsurpassed rfiputatlon for tiering. He flow eighty miles and searched the desert for two missing Australian Engineers, whom lie found at an oasis murdered. Tho squadron has won a V.C., a T).S.M., I and six Military Crosses brilliantly. Its supremacy is acknowledged and paid tribute , by tho R.F.C."