FOKKER VICTIM'S LETTER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 183, 16 June 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOKKER VICTIM'S LETTER.

IMMFL MANX'S COURTESY A PTE if A WIN. Graphic details of the manner in wiiicli the tokker "star," Lieutenant Inimelniann. attacks Ins adversaries, have reached England in a letter from Lieut. R. .J. Slade, an observer of the Royal Flying Corps, now a prisoner of war at Furstcnberg. Lieut. Slade and his pilot, Captain Darlev, R.F.C., were flying over tho German lines in a French machine who" suddenly Iminelmann "came up behind it 1 -,' savs Lieut. S'ade, "and opened lire with his machine gun before wo were aware ol his presence." The first, stream ol lead riddled the petrol tank. Captain Darlev tried t° escape the bullets by "shoving her down." but Inimelniann followed, hardly once getting olt his target. Fortunately, tho Englishmen's machine did not" catch lire with the escaping petrol but Capt. Darby was idiot, through th,> right ami, the thumb of h;s left hand was pounded to a jelly, and there, in midair, Lieut. Slade had to lean over and amputate it with his penknife.

All this time Inimelniann was maintaining a steady fire. Lieut. Slade's clothing was riddled with bullets, but lie escaped injury. The pilot was struck again in the left, hand, but with bis right, he held control of the machine and brought it safely to earth, per forming a "stunt landing." Tmnielman. who, when it was obvious that the British aeroplane could not escape, bad apparently drawn off, seeing that the Englishmen were alive, planed down and alighted to give them what assistance he cou'd. He behaved in such a kindly manner when once his work was done, that Lieut. Slado writes: "Ho is a gentleman, and U we ever capture him I hope he .vill be treated as such."