NEW ZEALAND "ACE."

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1919, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND "ACE."

BROUGHT DOWN 24 GERMANS"The New Zealand Ace" is the title gained by Major lveith L. Caldwell, M.C., D.F.C. and Bar, the only sun ot Mr I). R. Caldwell, of Auckland. Major Caldwell has had many thrilling adventures at the front. He gained his M.C. for bringing down the first five enemy machines, and altogether is officially credited with the destruction of 21 machines, while three others were seen descending out of control, but were not officially recognised as bagged. He had a rather exciting experience a few weeKs before the signing of tho armistice, ana it was only by a narrow margin lie escaped death. He was llying over No Man's Land when he met in collision Flight-Commander Carlin, whose machine's tail was torn oil, Carlin landed behind the lines safely, but Major Caldwell was not so fortunate, for the wing of his machine, was torn off, and it was only his quick resource which saved his life. He managed to get off his seat and balance himself on the remaining struts of. the wing in an atempt to maintain the aeroplane's equilibrium. He was rushed earthward at the rate of about HO miles an hour, and he finally landed just behind the British lines, his machine being dashed to pieces, while he himself only avoided disaster by jumping to earth ,at an opportune moment. During his service he had been six times shot down by hostile machines, but on each occasion managed to land' within the lines, and escape practically unhurt.

On one occasion bis aggressor was a German named Voss, a crack airman, who was born in Australia. On a later occasion he had the satisfaction of seeing his victor brought down in flames. One of his most perilous adventures was when, with five comrades, he was engaged by 21 Germans ten miles behind the enemy lines. The fight began at a height of 17,000 ft, and concluded at GOOO feet.

. On this occasion Carl in, after doing some particularly fine fighting, was sent crashing to the earth, where he was made captive. Several enemy machines were destroyed, and the four remaining intrepid Britishers, after a nerve-racking fight against overwhelming odds, mai> aged to reach the British lines with tlitir machines practically in ribbons. I

Again ho was in" a fight iu whitii five liritish machines tackled eight enemv planes, of which they accounted for seven.

Major Caldwell arrived in Sydney by the Bremen last Saturday, anil is' w'w awaiting transport to New Zealand, ]l ( . was one of the first, pupils to grp/iimte at the New Zealand Flying at ivominararna.