DOUBLE EXPLOIT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 30, 4 February 1916, Page 7

DOUBLE EXPLOIT.

A FRENCH AIRMAN'S FEAT.

A sergeant airman who recently destroyed a German captive balloon and an aeroplane on one trip describes his double exploit in a letter:— It was our fourth attempt to attack a famous balloon which was jo well guarded that we were never able to get near it. When we got over the Boche lin«s I saw our balloon emerging from a sea of clouds fifteen miles away. Being wary, wie made a wide detour, co as to get "to windward and bear down upon it from its own lincß, whence it was certain not to expect an attack. On the way, however, we came upon a sentinel aeroplane, which, being beneath us, did not appear to see us. I signalled our pilot. He pushed bis engine to 1300 revolutions, and dropped vertically upon the enemy. My position was preca-riouß, my body hanging out over space, clinging like a strut with the left hand, my right hand on the butt of a machine gun. At 350 yards I opened fire. Instantly the Boche swerved and tried to flee, but he got across us, and I gave him a broadside. He pitched downwards into the clouds. We were then within three miles of <the balloon. We advanced crab-wise, jumping from cloud to cleud. The balloon didn't budge. We got close np, I pave the sign, and we swooped upon him. When 300 yards above it, T opened with the second gun. In twelve seconds it was all over. T leaned over and" could see the balloon, half deflated, lying on the trees. The German batteries saw nothing, and did not fire on us. We waltzed home delirious with joy, photographing each other on the way.