DEAD MEN'S FLIGHT

Evening Star, Issue 16995, 18 March 1919, Page 6

DEAD MEN'S FLIGHT

\EJU)PLANE WITH DEAD CREW TRAVELS FIFTY MILES. One of the largest exhibits at the recent exhibition of war trophies at Australia Hou?e in London was a German aeroplane of ibn Albatross scout type, the first to be brought down intact by an Australian squadron in Fiance. A curious history attaches to the fight in which it figured. On December 17, 1917, an Australian machine. which was co-operating with a heavv "battery, was attacked by six enemy aeroplanes of this type. The pilot drove down this particular machine with a damaged engine, and with the aid of another , Australian aeroplane drove the enemy off : after a hot action. This second Australian j machine returned to its aerodrome for I more ammunition. The first did not return, and the followinguight it was found in a field 50 air-lino miles ironAthe scene of combat with both pilot and observer j dead in their seats. Both men had been ; killed instantaneously by a_ bullet, and the machine had Hown itself in wide circles, ‘drifting with the wind for some hours 1 until the petrol ran out, when it cams j down in a steep glide and landed without, 1 completely wxeclnqg itaelL