FOKKER VICTIM’S LETTER

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 129, 1 June 1916, Page 3

FOKKER VICTIM’S LETTER

j IMMELMANN’S COURTESY AFTER ! A WIN. I i j Graphic details of the manner in I which the Fokkcr " star, ” Lieutenant ; Immclmann, attacks his adversaries, i have reached England in a letter from I Lieut R. J, Slade, an observer of the ! Royal Flying Corps, now a prisoner of 1 war at Fnrstenburg,

j Lieut Slade and his pilot. Captain I Darl'cy, R.F.C., were flying over the j Gorman lines in a French machine when J suddenly Immelmann ‘came up behind ( us, ’ says Lieut Slade, "and opened lire with his machine gnu before wo

were aware of his presence.” The first stream of lead riddled the petrol tank, Captain Darley tried to escape the bullets by "shoving her nose down,” but Immclmann followed, hardly once getting off his target. Fortunately, trie Englishman’s machine did not catch fire with the escaping petrol but CanDarlcy was shot through the right arm, the thumb of In's loft hau l was pounded to a jelly, and there, in midair. Incut Slade had to lean over and amputate it with his pocket-knife. All thi p time Immelmann was maintaining a steadv fire Lieut Slade’s clothing was riddled with bullbts. but he escaped injury. The pilot was struck again in the left hand, but with his right he held control of the machine and brought it safelv to earth, performing a "stunt landing.” Immelman, who when it was obvioiw that the British aeronlane could not escape.. had apparently drawn off. seeing that the English men wore alive, planned down and flighted to give them what assistance he poidl. He behaved such a kindly manner when once hk work was done. that Lieut. Slade writes: "He is a gentleman, and if we e-cer enr.ture Inm I hope he will be treated as such.”