DEAD MEN'S FLIGHT

Dominion, 14 March 1919, Page 5

DEAD MEN'S FLIGHT

AEROPEAXE WITH DEAD CREW 'JUAVELS PIFTY, MILES. Ono of tho largest exhibits at Ihe recent exhibition of -tar trophies at Australia House in London was a German aeroplaue of the Albatross stout type, the first to "be brought down intact bv an Australian squadron in I'rance. A curious history attaches to the iight in which it figured. On December I<, 1917, an Australian machine, which was. cooperating with a heavy battery, was attached by si.t enemy aeroplanes of this type. The pilot drove down this particular machine with a damaged engine, aiul villi U>o aid of onothov Australian aeroplane drove the onemv off ailer a hot action. This .second Australian machine returned to its acrbdrome for more ammunition. The did not return, and the following mcrht it was found in a field fifty air-line mile* from the scene of combat with both liilot and. of)sevvcv (load iu their eoats, ]3oth- niou had been killed instantaneously by a bullet, and the mat-liino hnd t flown itself in wide circles, drifting with the wind for some hours untiHhe petrol ran out, when it came down Tn a sleep glide and landed without completely wrecking itself.