AIRMAN’S LAST BATTLE.

Taihape Daily Times, 4 May 1918, Page 6

AIRMAN’S LAST BATTLE.

DEATH OF VON RICHTHOFEN. LONDON; April 23. A friendly, but lively, controversy is in progress as to whether an Australian Lewis-gunner in the Ancre Valley brought down the German aviator Richthofen, or a British aviator who was pursuing him. Richthofen was near the Australian lines. M. Clemen. ceau credits the deed to the British aviator. Richthofen was one of the most celebrated airmen of the war. He was the idol of Germany and was patronised by the German Emperor. He was the victor in 79 aeroplane combats.

Richthofen was shot down while flying low inside the Australian lines. Richthofen fell at the end of a severe fight between British and German squadrons. He was flying in a triplane, and was shot down while flying near the ground, while he himself was chasing a British scout. It was a dramatic end to a great air fight. The German champion crashed to the ground, smashing the machine to smithereens. Only one bullet found his body, and that went straight through his heart. When the fight began two Australian aeroplanes, which were well out behind the" German lines, suddenly met sis enemy machines above them.: The Germans dived imediately to attack. The Australians, turning, fired over the tails, and caused one of the enemy triplanes to fall, apparently out of control. The Australians themselves went down in order to escape. Eventually recovering they found themselves on! of the battle, which was proceeding over the Somme, between 15 aeroplanes on each side. A British squadron of fighting scouts engaged the enemy squadron, of which the Australians evidently only met part. Four German triplanes are believed to have been shot down, but no British. It was not recognised till Richthofen’s dead body was identified that this squadron was his famous “circ' His identification was clear from his papers and watch.