DARE-DEVILS OF THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 99, 19 January 1918, Page 7

DARE-DEVILS OF THE AIR

SURPRISING FEATS OF THE FLYING MEN. . One of the great contributory features to the brilliant success of what will perhaps be known 'as the Cambrai offensive has been the devoted heroism I'kn.im 1... +1— Wl-: ft /-i-x .1

shown by the Flying Corps- (states tho "Morning Post's" correspondent). Perhaps more than on any previous occasion have our airmen been the eyes of tho attacking troops. Their reconnaissance Work has been beyond all praise. One pilot descended in our lines with his machine literally shot to pieces and with tea bullets in his clothes. Another came into his headquarters in great glee to report that he had been brought down for the third time within two. days, and was both ready and anxious to go up again. lam certain that the •Flying Corps reports for the past months must teem with thrilling incidents. ' A few of these I have been able to gather.'. ' During the attack upon Bourlon Wood an airman flying at about 400 ft. over the naked trees dropped bombs and opened machine-gun fire upon the Germans who were _ attacking Fontaine. An.enemy machine hovered over him, but apparently did not care to essay combat. _. Just; as the intrepid ilyer was trying to release his gun from a jam a shell .burst under his machine, causing it to turn a complete somersault. He came to earth immediately ■.in-front of our own lino and scrambled in, leaving the 'plane as a mark for Hun snipers out in No Man's Land. As he was unable to continue his proper role, this gallant airman worked as a stretcher-bearer for the rest of the day. Another case of turning turtle was that of a flyer whose machine was absolutely riddled with bullets. On recovering himself from the shock of his dangerous descent ho saw another of our machines crash into a tree. Running forward he picked up the occupant and supported him back to the trenches under a sharp'fire. A very characteristic story is that of an airman who,' on being attacked by four machine-guns, planed down and 'knocked out three of them. Before attemptfinish the fourth ho raised his fingers'to his nose in what is described as a gesture of defiance. But unluckily a bullet struck the derisive hand, and he had to make his way back. Two or three days ago a pilot dropped a couple of twenty-five pound nombs plumb into a column of marching Huns, and when the stampede was over he saw a couple of considerable heaps of grey bodies around tho holes the missiles had torn in the road. Another young officer swooped to within 150 ft. of an aerodrome, completely wrecked a liangar, and pumped a couple of hundred rounds into five machines which were ranged in the open surrounded by mechanics. As if this w,ere not sufficient, lie chased three large transport wagons, causing the first to stampede, killing three horses of the second team, and leaving the third overturned in the roadside ditch. There is also the adventure of the airman who was hit just after bombi'ig some Gorman dug-outs, and who just managed to clear the wood, alighting in somo barbed wire, from which position he fired 400 rounds into the German trench opposite before walking back into his own line. Another man who was brought down with tho wings of his machine shot away when flying at a height of only 30ft. seized a German riflo which lay upon the ground and fought a successful rearguard action all upon his own as he withdrew to safety. Such men may well bo the despair of any enemy.