THRILLING DUEL IN THE AIR

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 68, 20 March 1915, Page 6

THRILLING DUEL IN THE AIR

HIGH GERMAN OFFICER'S SON KILLED. DEADLY RIFLE FIRE. _ ■ A thrilling account of an aerial duel that resulted in the forced descent of a Taubc near Amiens has been received. Last month one of the most experienced French pilots was carrying out a recon-1 naissance over the enemy's lines in the north, accompanied by a young lieutenant. The uviators' mission had been accomplished, and they were returning to their own lines, when, 12 miles from Lille, they sighted a Taubc spying out I the French positions. Without a moment's hesitation it was decided to give chase, and the French pilot increased speed accordingly, while his observer made the necessary arrangements for a fight. The pursuit lasted fully an hour, until the two machines were over the outskirts of Amiens, and was carried out with such skill and cunning that the German aviator was quite sure that he was clear of bis pertinacious pursuers. He discovered his mistake too late. When .within come fifteen yards of hie advareary the French pilot ranged Ha machine up beside the Taube, and hie observer took careful aim with a rifle loaded with four cartridges. Just aa ■iSie German observer tunned Tound in their direction four shots raiig out at regular intervale. The ftrat shot struck tbe observer-officer in the heart. It was BDbaeqnentiy discovered that he m a captain, and, m fact, no other than the eon of General yon Falken hayn. who succeeded Count yon Moltke as Chief of the General Staff. The second ehot smashed the German pilot's upper arm, the third penetrated. the back of his neck, while the fourth found a mark in the radiator of the acropaane. The Taubc at once began to <£eEcend, but ifche pilot remained sufficiently master of hie machine to be able to bring it saicly down to earth in tihc middle of the French lines. The Frencih machine came down gracefully almost at the some moment only a few yards from Hβ vanquished opponent. A. touching scene was then witnessed. The (two pilots, one French and the other German, advanced elowiy towards each other, and the German, holding out hie uninjured hand to the Frenchman, showed hie admiration of hie adversary in the following words, spoken in good French: "Despite the result of the fight, monsieur, I am proud to bave had a man of your valour ac adversary." Captain yon Falkenhayn wee killed on the spot. No papens were found on him, with the exception of a mote from hie general declaring in i&ontow>hat bitter terme that hie flying squadron had not for Eome time past aahieved the rasuMe which tbe general had the right to expect of it.