THE BIG AIR RACE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 43, 14 November 1919, Page 7

THE BIG AIR RACE

ANOTHER ENTRANT STARTS. London, November 12. Captain Ross-Smith etar.ted on his flight to Australia, in a Viokers-Vimy aeroplane at 9.15 this niorning.--Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AN ICY TRIP TO LYONS. (Roc. November li, 1,5 aan.) ; London, November 12. Captain Ross-Smith, en route to Aubtralia, has arrived at Lyons, after an Icy journey. His instruments and food wero frozon.—United Service.

Captain Ross-Smith, who will pilot'the Vickers-Vimy machine, left.Australia in Mi with the Ist Australian Jfoohinogim Squadron, and eervcd with the unit on the Peninsula. After leaving the Peninsula (snj-s the Sydney "Sun") ho was recorded to- the G7th Australian Squadron, of the B.F.C. as an observer at Miistahig, where he did ouo of the first reconnaissances made from Egypt to Jerusalem. He remained with the 67th Squadron as observer for six or feven months, until ho went to Rafa to tho Flying School at Cairo. Here he was one of the best pupils, and after qualifying as fighting pilot, ho returned to hia squadron. Numerous engagements with enemy 'planes were fought by Captain Ross-Smith, in the course of which he won tho Military Cross (with bar) and tho D.P.C (with bar). His tally when the war ended was over a. dozen enemy maoliines. Ho won the M.C. for holding off a paTtyi of Turks with his revolver while I'light-Licutonant Baillieu, of Melbourne, whose observor he was, rosoued an English pilot who had been forced to laml iii Diitniy territory. Captain EossSmith actually opened the final big stunt in Palestine by bombing; the enemy at Afuleh from the Handley-Pago machine in whioh ho later flew with General frilmond from Cairo to Delhi. After that' long flight lie accompanied General Borton on is survey of tho route from Calcutta to Port 'D.u'win.