A GALLANT AIRMAN

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 27 July 1916, Page 5

A GALLANT AIRMAN

I KILLED WHILE FIGHTING FIVE I | FOKKEES. According to a recent cable received (from Paris, Georges Boillot, the famous French racing car driver, was killed (during an air fight. Boillot had, since the autumn of last yean year, beeu acting as an aeroplane pilot at the French front. In March last he was mentioned in despatches of the day, and awarded the Military Cross for meritorious services. On 15th May he was given the Legion of Honour for his air exploits at Verdun. - > Although -officially reported as missing, the French press have published the following account of his death:— While flying at the front he was attacked by five Fokkers. The Frenelijman’s machine was faster than any j enemy aeroplane, but Boillot, disdainling flight boldly bore down on Ms nearest opponent. A minute later the Fokiker fell to the ground and the Frenchjman prepared to give battle to his four ■ether opponents. At that moment a : bullet from one of the German airmen struck the gallant French pilot in the chest, and he dropped to the earth. The (death of Georges Boillot in the service [of his country removes perhaps the cleverest road racen ever known in the historv of autoraobilisxn. He was a most

dashing driver, but very cool-headed j —exercising remarkable judgment at all -

times