CHAPTER XXVIII
FRENCH APPRECIATION
The _Matin_ has published a most appreciative article on the heroic deeds of British aviators. ‘The English aviators,’ says the writer, ‘are entrusted with the same mission as the French. The same halo of brilliancy encircles them, they obtain the same glorious results, and yet there is an indefinable something which distinguished them from their French colleagues. What is this elusive quality which enables one to distinguish the nationality of the aviator on merely hearing the details of an aerial exploit? I think it is because our Allies carry on aerial warfare in a more sporting than military spirit. They regard an encounter in the air with their abhorred enemies as an exciting and thrilling experience.’
The writer goes on to observe that the English mode of action, while permitting the British remarkable results, has also the inconvenience of augmenting the losses. ‘The combat in the air is often unequal, the Englishman will not hesitate to attack single-handed ten or twelve Germans. He brings down several, but is often beaten himself in the long run by force of numbers. The English, with perfect loyalty, state in their official communiqués the number of their aeroplanes which do not return to their base. In September they lost forty-eight airmen, brought down fifty-three enemy machines, and damaged about one hundred. The French during this month brought down fifty-six, damaged fifty-seven, but their losses were very much less.
‘But marvellous,’ the article continues, ‘are the deeds of heroism inscribed each day in the annals of the Royal Flying Corps. I will cite a few of them. During a reconnaissance in Egypt an aeroplane was attacked by two enemy machines. A bullet broke the English pilot’s jaw, another pierced his shoulder, a third found a resting-place in his left leg, and finally his left hand was also wounded. He fainted, regaining consciousness when only 150 metres above the earth. He was over his own lines. He brought his machine safely to land, and then found that his observer was wounded in the chest and shoulder. With difficulty he made his report and fainted and died.’
Another case cited is that of the heroic aviator Lieutenant Albert Ball, who during a bombing mission noticed twenty enemy aeroplanes, divided into three groups. He advanced towards the first group, which contained seven machines, and fired on them at a distance of ten yards. The first German wavered, wheeled, and fell. He then threw himself upon the others, firing two volleys at them. The first took fire and fell. The others attempted to escape, but Lieutenant Ball immediately started in pursuit and followed them until he had discharged his last cartridge, one of the enemy machines falling on a house in a village. Ball then returned for more ammunition, came back to the charge, and attacked three more aeroplanes, which he put out of action, then, having no more petrol, was obliged to return to his base with his machine disabled.
In another part of the article the writer observes that attacks on trains are very popular with the R.F.C. ‘In spite of the bad weather Lieutenant Owen Tudor Boyd one day descended to within 350 metres in order to drop bombs on a passing train. Lieutenant Gordon Kidd descended from 2,200 metres to 300 for the pleasure of dropping a bomb on a munition train, which caught fire and blocked the line with wreckage. Lieutenant Taylor derailed a troop train. Lieutenant Gordon Gould, attacked during a reconnaissance, was wounded in the leg. In spite of the intense pain, he brought down one enemy machine, severely damaged another, and then calmly continued his appointed work.’
Special reference is also made to Captain Gerald Speim, who, one day, observed four enemy machines. He attacked three, one after the other, and put them to flight, the fourth in the meantime being engaged by another Englishman. The following day he fought two enemy machines, brought one down, forced the other to recede, and continued his successful career by again bringing down a German machine the next day. Other British airmen referred to in the article are Lieutenant Evans and Lieutenant MacLaren. Lieutenant Evans, during one flight, conquered four German machines, crashing them to earth. A remarkable feat was accomplished by MacLaren. Flying over an enemy aerodrome, he noticed a machine about to rise. Pilot and observer were in their places, mechanicians held the wings. MacLaren came gently down to within thirty yards and dropped a bomb. Aeroplane, pilot, observer, and mechanicians were vanquished. Then MacLaren went serenely on his bombing way, set fire to a hangar, and destroyed the Fokkers it contained.
The French writer of the article concludes by saying that among the many heroic deeds performed by British aviators there is one which would have inspired the admiration of Edgar Poe: ‘An English aeroplane was soaring 3,000 metres above German territory on reconnoitring work. Suddenly a shell burst near it, killing the pilot instantly, severely damaging the machine, but not injuring the observer, Lieutenant Howey, in any way. The aeroplane tipped nose downwards, and fell 2,000 yards. Howey, during this terrific fall, performed a veritable gymnastic feat. He succeeded in slipping from his place to that of his comrade, unclasped his dead hands, sat upon his knees, and, in spite of the appalling situation, seized the control-lever, and in a miraculous manner righted his machine just at the moment it reached the earth after a seeming plunge to death. Howey was taken prisoner, but he was uninjured.’