Two Gallant Airmen.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 12 January 1918, Page 4

Two Gallant Airmen.

FIGHT AGAINST GREAT ODDS. AUSTRALIANS' LAST MESSAGE.

LONDON, Dec. 22.

Some days ago an observing machine belonging to one of the Australian flying squadrons was out doing a normal afternoon's work for a heavy battery, and had just given the word to the battery to begin shooting when six- German aeroplanes appeared overhead, writes Mr C. E. W. Bean, Commonwealth official correspondent. These were of the fast fighting type Albatross, and immediately attacked the Australian. The Australian machine was not of the fighting type, being slower, and not intended for battle, but those looking on from below noticed that the pilot never gave way, but turned and fought the Germans. A British artillery officer j looking on said afterwards it was one of the bravest things he had ever seen. ( There was a short engagement in the j air, then one German 'plane began to i glide earthwards, and landed behind the 1 British line, shot through the petrol tank. It was captured intact. The Australian turned slowly northwards, and those looking on from the ground reported that he was going on with his work. A second Australian observing the machine, and seeing its danger, came up, and the Germans went off homewards. The second machine then circled round the first in order to see its markings and ascertain which machine it was. He noticed the machine flying well, but the pilot seemed a little lost. The second machine returned for more ammunition, but the first machine did not return. Hour after hour went by. A full report of the fight was received, but there was no sign of the brave men nor of the 'plane. Moreover, though casual observers said the aeroplane went on with its day's work, no further messages came therefrom after the first one asking the battery to begin firing. Twenty hours later, from a point behind the British line 30 miles southward, came a telegram that there was found in a field an aeroplane containing two Australians, the pilot and the observer, both dead. They had not been injured by the fall, but the 'plane had 16 bullet holes through it, and one bullet had pierced the observer's chest from side to side, then issued therefrom and struck the pilot in the head, breaking the base of the skull. It was the 'plane which made that magnificent fight with the six Germans the day before. Its pilot had certainly been killed instantly, and the observer, if he continued conscious, never attempted to Sly the 'plane, for the controls were untouched. That steady British machine aad flown itself in wide circles, gradullly drifting with the wind, which was from the north-east, till after about two lours petrol began to be exhausted, when the dive bccame steeper. The Jeld shows where the machine hit it :hat it steeply bounced and flew 60yds. When the tip of the 'plane hit the ground the propeller broke, and the machine swung round to a standstill, 'with :he two splendid men still in their seats, ;vhere they were not found till 18 hours ater. The Australian authorities are isking that the German machine bo alocated to one of the Australian mueums of the war. It will always be issociated with the magnificent tale or he fight which it commemorates.