AVIATOR’S SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1929, Page 2

AVIATOR’S SERVICE

BATTLES WITH GERMAN AIRMEN. AUCKLAND, May 15. An Australian aviator with a distinguished flying record arrived from Sydney on tlio Ulimaroa this morning in the person of Captain- A. W. Saunders, D.F.C. Captain Saunders lias piloted aircraft on ninny lands and was at one time associated with Squadron-Leader Kiiigsford-Sniith. Before the war Captain Saunders earned a reputation as an amateur boxer. He joined- the colours on the declaration of war, and was at the landing on Gallipoli, emerging from the ill-fated campaign unscathed. He returned to England and soon afterwards his artillery unit was dispatched to Dublin to help to- quell the rebellion. Next lie went to France as an officer in the Royal Air Force. A determined and skilful pilot, Captain Saunders soon made a name for himself on the Somme battlefront. He forced down at least- a score of “Hun” fighters, hut his official list, that is the number of enemy ’planes officially certified was nine.

On one occasion Captain Saunders sighted three Germap ’planes flying high overhead, engaging and forcing down the loader. The other two turned to make off for the German,, lines but collided and both crashed.; As a result Captain >vas. promoted from the rank lie then held t.o capita in, anti was decorated with tin: Distinguished Flying Cross.. , ?i After the signing of the .A.rpiisticc Captain Saunders was sent,.to Berlin as Iving’s messenger, important dispatches, for the ..hiler-Allietl Commission;. ,He claims that,,,lie was the eighth British officer.joiner, Bej\I in, which, ,was, a,, -.powertv-sir i<;ken city at that time. The Allied had reduced the people to desperate-straits. Hotels wore without linen <-r :.oap, and tlio mark had fallen so low that Captain Saunders was able to purchase lor a lew shillings things worth pounds in England.

Afterwards Captain Saunders si light .further adventures in Russia, where he joined General Cmzier’s army. “We had great fun there, a sort of Gilbert and Sullivan war,” lie said, ‘‘hut wo did a fair amount of bombing j-ust to keep tilings moving.”

The north-west frontier of India lured Captain Saunders, and for a year lie saw flying service in that ruggod outpost of the British Empire. He spent two years in the Royal Air Force at other Indian stations. During his long fighting career in the a-ir Captain Saunders has thrice been reported dead. The Adolaidc-Sydney air mail service was inaugurated by Captain Saunders in company with the well-known av.ia-or, Frank Briggs. This 800 miles journey was made once a week. For a year Captain Saunders was with the West Australian Airways, Ltd., in company with Kingsfoird-Sniith and Charles Ulm. All three loft the company together, believing that better prospects were offering elsewhere. For about a year Captain Saunders has not done a great deal of flying, but he proposes to join the Auckland Aero Club, and to help that organisation in any way possible.