FRENCH AIRMAN'S RECORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1917, Page 9

FRENCH AIRMAN'S RECORD.

MANY DARING FEATS. THIRTY MACHINES DESTROYED. French communiques proudly tell of Lieutenant Guynemer's exploits as an aviator. He has excelled, all Germans, and has few equals amongst his British comrades. Thirty German aeroplanes are now tn his credit. He shot five to the earth in one week. His colleagues claim that in reality, though thirty is the official figure, he has brought down many more, which are not recognised by the French Flying Corps code as victims, because they did not fall in French territory, and could not be inspected. Guvnemer is a resourceful, active little Frenchman, with a genius for shooting straight in the air. His first flight was in July, 1915, when he fought a duel over Soissons. Guynemer took his machine to within 50 yards pf the Germans, and the machine-guns fired 115 bullets. Guynemer's observer was wounded in the hand, and Quynemer had to take control of a gun as well as the machine. Suddenly the German pilot «ank forward, either killed or unconscious, and his observer threw up bt» hands in a gesture of despair. A second later the German machine Mirst into flames and plunged to the earth. Guvnemer has no secret. He has no*, like linmelman, introduced new method's, lie has not improved the type of French machine. He lias simply fought with skill and courage according to the best French teachings, and put all the fire of his nature into his flights. The. Getmans have learned to fear him. He ! himself has no false about his , chances. "You have now," he was told, "the Legion of Honor, the Military Medal, and the War Cro?s. Why, what other decoration can you win?" "The wooden cross," he said.