EPIC OF THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 21 June 1917, Page 2

EPIC OF THE AIR.

B'RILLIANT MAIDEN FIGHT

Correspondents continue to send thrilling stores of aerial warfare. Mr. Beach Thomas (Daily Mail) states that a British airman in his maiden fight engaged a number of enemy machines. At a crisis he spun down 8000 feet. After straightening out he was amazed to see two enemy 'planes tumbling past him. Rising with the intention of re-engaging fee enemy he almost collided with a third machine, also falling. The youngster's machine iff the "duel received a bullet and owing to the loss of petrol it was possible to fly only a short time. He knew that if he flew down the Germans would pump lead into him, so with the last kick of his engine he drove his machine's head at the enemy, both firing. The German dipped, and the Englishman dived for home, expecting pursuit. Nearing the ground he looked up and saw his opponent's machine in flames. It crashed near by a few seconds later. He then saw that the German's body '•was pierced with five bullets. He must have been dead when he dipped.