A QUICK FIGHT IN THE AIR.

Bruce Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 73, 23 September 1918, Page 5

A QUICK FIGHT IN THE AIR.

(■By "Lieutenant Oh W. Elderkin.)

We left 'the ground about 9 a.m. on a sunny morning in 'April for the pur' pose of taking photographs a couple of ■miles over the other side of the line. It was a perfect day for Hying, and as we left our aerodrome 'behind, it was difficult to realise that we were taking part in the greatest and most deadly of all wars till the gradual appearance of disused trenches, half-ruined houses and shell-pitted ground served to remind us that we were not "up" for pleasure. We had reached our height, about 6000 feet, 'and were well across "No Man's Land" and rapidly 'approaching our objective, somewhat surprised at the absence of the 'customary "woof," "woof," of the anti-aircraft shells which usually act as a reminder that onto is no longer flying over friendly soil. A gentle tap on the shoulder caused <me to turn my head. (My observer pointed, and I followed the direction of his finger. 'A good 2000 feet above and some. 1000 fe'et to the cast were three Small black clouds. were obviously Hun "Archie" bursts. 'Now, 'Archie's reputation as an efficient shot does not stand high in the estimation of the Air Service. Nevertheless, we respected 'him 1 sufficiently to believe that these particular shots were not directed at us. We slightly altered our course, keeping all the 'time a keen look-out in the direction of tho suspected area. Anti-aircraft guns arc frequently em'ployed to warn one machine of the presence of another. 'Ours was a heavy typo of aeroplane employed for photographic work, so it was for us to be upon the defensive.

Our suspicions were finally and quickly justified. Suddenly from the direction of the sun, which had been momentarily obscured by a cloud, we caught a glimpse of the shining planes of 'an enemy scout diving towards us. A' mombnt later he opened fire, and we could hear the 'deadened pop, pop, pop, of his .machine l gun. But 'he had not succeeded in taking us by surprise as he had intended, and we were too quick for him. By a sharp kick of the rudder bar and a steep bank to one side I had quickly changed direction. My observer's eyes were out of the dazzling

rays of the sun, and the enemy machine at right angles to onr line of flight. My friend was thus enabled to get in a short "burst" before the Hun passed below and to our rear apparently undamaged. We could give him no further attention, for my observer bad noticed a second Hun diving towards our tail. By a prearranged signal he communicated the information to me. I adopted my usual tactics, and our machine was mov-

ing rapidly across Ms front almost before he- -had opened fire. I looked round at my friend. With his eyes to his sights and his "head" on the enemy, he was oblivious to all other things. I could sec his "tracers" jumping about the 'Hun pilot's head while the latter vainly •endeavoured to out-manoeuvre us by getting "behind and under our tail. Suddenly, with a slight lurch to one side, 'the Hun dived still more sharply, appeared for one moment to retain control, and then, to our delight, literally broke into pieces and crashed to the ground. We looked round for No. 1, expecting him to renew the attack. To our surprise, we could see him. gliding very low well behind his lines and just about to land. Evidently the pilot was wounded or the machine badly damaged. The -whole encounter lasted little more than 45 seconds. Our machine appeared to be untouched, so, picking up our bearings, we continued our course, obtained'the required photographs with very little interruption from ATehieand returned to our aerodrome proud to be a!ble to add yet another Hun to our squadron's records.