FIGHTERS OF THE AIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 207, 2 September 1938, Page 6

FIGHTERS OF THE AIR.

"H.F." is under a misapprehension if he identifies Colonel llishop. Y. 0.. of air with the Lieut.-Colonel Bishop. V.C.. whom he mentions in his Jetter. The famous British aee, now dead, was a full colonel and was killed in 1017 when taking off from the aerodrome of the 63rd Squadron. He was succeeded by Major Mail nock. Y.C., as P.O. of that famous group of air heroes. Hall and Spring, the two noted American writers, both pave detailed accounts of how he met his death, and their stories immediately take us back to the days when these men were kings of their demesne—th© air. Man nock, the king of air fiitliters. had a record unrivalled by anyone on either ride. He it was who introduced really organised and systematic fight in? in the air. No general ever devoted, more time in the tedious work of making certain that every member of the squadron understood perfectly what was expected of him on each r-ingle patrol. The results he achieved are sufficient praise for the methods he iutroduced into the R.A.F. Bishop, the courageous individualist who led his men like the warrior kings of history, was alwavs in the thick of the battle, no matter what the odds. Ball, the schoolboy whose fame flashed from end to end of the front in a week, was still 19 years ol«l when death claimed him. the death he sought with the odds at seven to one and a laugh on hi* lips. Bored by the inactivity of his opponents, he circled over their 'drome and challenged one and all to a "merry little dog-fight." He shot four to their death when thev had barclv left the tarmac. Ten came up to do battle.* Three dropped in flames and in a single-handed combat he held seven at bay. He swooped too near the lines and a bullet ended for ever the meteoric career of one of England's, air fighters. Xew Zealand had two sons in that famous fi.lrd. The late Captain MacGregor and another whose nickname was "Grid." He is still alive and to-day is a very prominent man at all ex-K.F.C. and R.S.A. gatherings in Auckland. EX-R.F.C.