CHAPTER XXXV

CONCLUSION

In November, 1916, the famous French aviator, Lieutenant Guynemer, brought down his twenty-first enemy machine, thus establishing a new world’s record for aerial warfare. The duel was fought at an altitude of over two miles, after a chase of about forty-four miles, and was of a most dramatic nature.

Suddenly Lieutenant Guynemer, whilst flying many miles behind the German lines, sighted a German squadron of two observation aeroplanes with an escort of two fighting machines heading for the French lines. There was nothing to prevent Lieutenant Guynemer giving immediate battle, except the fact that in the event of being forced to land he would fall within the German lines and be taken prisoner. He therefore took refuge behind some friendly clouds until the German squadron passed ahead of him, and then started the pursuit from behind, closing up sufficiently so that if he should be seen by the German anti-aircraft gunners from below he would be taken for one of the escorting German aeroplanes. For several miles he kept up the pursuit, concealing himself as much as possible from the German machines by keeping behind the clouds.

Then, when the French lines at last appeared below him, he emerged in full view and began the fight. The German machine nearest him chanced to be an observation ‘plane, and, darting down on it, he opened his machine-gun fire at an altitude of about 12,000 feet, or just two miles. With unerring aim he killed the observer with his third bullet, and with the tenth the pilot likewise shot out from the machine, the ‘plane at the same time beginning its whirling giddy course down towards the French lines. Although the machine was the second one Guynemer had brought down that day, he at once started after the other three, but they, in the meantime, had all disappeared, having apparently turned back at his very first shot. Without further ado Lieutenant Guynemer started in search of his victims, and succeeded in locating the machine in the ravine of Mocourt.

Amongst British aviators who continue to add to their victories mention must again be made of Flight-Commander Ball, to whose Distinguished Service Order a second bar—the first time such an honour has been conferred—was added in November, 1916. Each passing day brings further evidence of heroic deeds.

On November 29 hostile airships again made a raid over England under the cover of night, but with dire results for the enemy. Two German airships were brought down. An official communication stated that a number of hostile airships approached the north-east coast of England between ten and eleven o’clock. Bombs were dropped on various places in Yorkshire and Durham, but the damage was slight. One airship was attacked by an aeroplane of the Royal Flying Corps and brought down in flames in the sea off the coast of Durham at 11.45 p.m. Another airship crossed into the North Midland Counties and dropped some bombs at various places. On her return journey she was repeatedly attacked by aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps and by guns. She appeared to have been damaged, for the last part of her journey was made at very slow speed, and she was unable to reach the coast before day was breaking. Near the Norfolk coast she apparently succeeded in effecting repairs, and, after passing through gunfire from the land defences, which claim to have made a hit, proceeded east at a high speed and at an altitude of over 8,000 feet, when she was attacked nine miles out at sea by four machines of the Royal Naval Air Service, while gunfire was opened from an armed trawler. The airship was brought down in flames at 6.45 a.m.

One eye-witness has stated that it was just after daybreak when from the east coast a German airship was seen, travelling slowly from the west. As she passed over the coast the sound of heavy firing was heard, and soon, over a low bank of mist some distance out to sea, a great burst of flame was seen and the stricken raider fell blazing into the sea. A little later a British airman flew in from the sea and descended on the coast. He was given a tremendous ovation. Townspeople carried him shoulder high through streets crowded with cheering people, while sirens of shipping shrieked triumphantly.

‘The defence was extraordinarily powerful,’ said an official report of the raid issued in Berlin. Such praise from the enemy speaks volumes!

At noon on the following day a German aeroplane managed to reach London and drop bombs. But the fate of this raider also was sealed. On its return journey if fell a victim to our gallant French Allies.

Who can now doubt that supremacy in the air is with the Entente? Whether in dealing with raiders by night or enemy machines on the western battle-front by day, our heroic allied aviators have proved their superiority.

The names of the heroic naval aviators who brought down the German airship in the manner described are Flight-Sub-Lieutenant E. L. Pulling, Flight-Lieutenant E. Cadbury, and Flight-Lieutenant G. W. R. Fane. The first named officer has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His age at the time of his heroic deed was twenty-six years. He was formerly in the Government wireless service, and he received his commission in the Royal Naval Air Service on August 21, 1915. Tireless energy and boundless enthusiasm, combined with great courage, mark him out as an aviator of high promise.

Flight-Lieutenant Egbert Cadbury was twenty-three years of age at the time of receiving the Distinguished Service Cross. At the outbreak of war he left Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was studying for the law, and joined the _Zarifa_ as an A.B., the vessel being a converted yacht manned mostly by Cambridge men. After nearly a year at sea he entered the R.N.A.S., gained his pilot’s certificate, and was stationed on the East Coast. He is the youngest son of Mr. George Cadbury.

Flight-Lieutenant Fane joined the Royal Naval Air Service in July, 1915, as a Flight-Sub-Lieutenant. He came straight from Charterhouse and was only nineteen years of age at the time of being decorated. His fellow-airmen speak of him as a pilot of remarkable skill and courage.

In February, 1917, whilst these pages were in proof, it was announced that the first of the officers named above, Flight-Lieutenant E. L. Pulling, D.S.O., had made the ‘supreme sacrifice.’

Another body!—Oh, new limbs are ready, Free, pure, instinct with soul through every nerve.

_Printed by Jarrold & Sons, Ltd., Norwich, England_

Transcriber’s Notes Page 72—changed contritributor to contributor Page 157—changed Decenber to December Page 217—changed achines to machines