Arab "Lion With Wings"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 88, 13 April 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

"Yes, dear, go ahead—l'm listening."

Arab "Lion With Wings"

LEGENDS in the bazaars of Algeria have been brought up to date. The hero now is "The Lion With Wings," or, as the official French records know him, Lieutenant Mahfouf, the only coloured officer in the French Air Force. Lieutenant Mahfouf, who is married to a pretty Breton, was recently decorated for his exploits by General Vuillemin with the Croix de Guerre, in the presence of M. Daladier. He already had the Medaille Militaire and the Colonial Medal.

I heard his story (writes an English correspondent) from Kaddour, the storyteller in the Casbali. Kaddour has been "the professional story teller nearlv all his life, as were his father and grandfather before him. In their day audiences were content with the intimate gossip of the place, wise Oriental sayings and tales of fancy.

The modern Arab needs something more. Kaddour has trained his son to read the Arab newspapers and keep him informed on the latest news (for the audiences mostly cannot read). But it is not until he had heard the tinkle of money thrown into the circle of listeners that Kaddour conies to the legend that everyone wants to hear—the 6torv of Mahfouf.

He describes with a realism that thrills his hearers the flights of the "Lion with wings," imitate* the roar of approaching enemy fighters, the rat-tat of machine-gun fire, the despairing efforts of the enemy to bring the hero down, and the final victory over great odds

Lieutenant Mahtouf himself is a modest man, and will tell nothing of

the fights which brought him his decorations. But he tolls how, during his childhood in the Arab mountain village, he used to see the "great French birds" flying overhead.

"I little thought that one day I would be flying in one myself, but chancc decreed that I should do my military service with the Air Force, not the Army."

Lieutenant Mahfouf, as observer, has made day and night reconnaissance flights deep over enemy territory, has reached home with his aeroplane bulletriddled.

"Aviation is a means of warfare in which my race can render great service," he comments. "Their character, patience and hunting instinct, their religion and conception of life are specially adapted to flying."

Lieutenant Mahfotif has lived up to his beliefs, for he has already arranged for two of his brothers to join the Air Force. One is now a sergeant. "The lion with wings'' hopes that, shortly lie will not be the only Arab officer flying for France.