AIR FIGHTING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10114, 23 October 1917, Page 2

AIR FIGHTING.

GUYNEMER'S GALLANT END. ATTACKS HUN SQUADRON. SHOT DOWN INTO SKA. LONDON, Oct. 1. Router's correspondent at Paris states that the brilliant French airmail. Captain Giiyiiemoi', wont, off on the morning of September 11. on an expeditioll. He socui encountered it tt'ltolc squadron of chasing aeroplanes. He mi;;lit have avoided combat, but he dived straight al the enemy and shot down two. Subsequently lie was overwhelmed l),v numbers and fell into the sea. He had brought down 53 German machines. A recent cable message gives some details of this super-airman. He shot live enemy planes to the earth in one week. His colleagues claim that ill reality, though S3 is the official figure, lie has brought down many more, which arc not recognised by the French Flying Corps code as victims, because they did not fall in French territory and could not be inspected. 'Guynemer is a resourceful, fiercely-hating, active little Frenchman, with a genius for shooting straight in the air. His first fight was in July, 1915, when he fought a duel over Soissons. Guynemer took his machine to within .50 yards of the Boche, and the machine-gun fired 115 bullets. Guynemer','; observer was wounded in the band, and Guynemer had to take control of gun as well as machine. Suddenly the German pilot sank forward, either killed or unconscious, and his observer threw up his hands in a gesturo of despair. A second later the German machine burst into ilarnos, and plunged to the earth. , Guynemer has no secret. He has not - , like Immelmann, introduced new methods. He has not improved the type of French machine. He has simply fought with skill and courage according to the best French teachings, and put all the fire of his nature into his flights. The Germans have learnt to fear him. He himself has no false idea about his chances. "You have now," he was told, "tho Legion of Honour, the Military Medal, and the War Cross. Why, what other decoration can you win?" "Tho wooden cross," he said. This, it may be, he has now won.

HUN SUPER-AIRMAN. HOW HE "WENT WEST." THRILLING BATTLES.ON THE SKY. . LONDON, Oct. 3. I Renter's correspondent at British Headquarters, in giving instances of the feats of British airmen, tells how the famous German airman Voss was killed. Two British aeroplanes saw Voss's triplane, and another. aeroplane, engaging a British machine. They hastened to their comrade's assistance. One of the British machines was piloted by a crack airman, and the combat resolved itself into a duel between- hini and Voss. For a while they made it a running fight, maintaining a stream of bullets from the machine-guns .and manoeuvring for position, so that the wings of the aeroplanes were frequently within a few feet of each other. When the Englishman had replaced his ammunition drum for the third time, he had succeeded in getting above Voss, who shut off his engine and dived westwards. The Englishman followed, and got a good burst of fire right upon Voss. whose machine glided down until it bumped the ground. It was evident that Voss was killed in his seat. An airman who crossed the enemy line at Zonnebeke had an exciting experience.' He dived from 2000 feet, machine-gunned and scattered a party of Huns, and bombed a munition-dump. He was attacked by superior forces, but be dived through their barrage into the. British lines. His aeroplane was crippled, and he was wounded in the leg. Two stretcher-bearers were carrying him in when a shell killed one and "wounded the other. The airman rose to assist the injured man, when a second shell again wounded him, whereupon he limped to cover. Four British attacked nine German aeroplanes. They sent down five, one on lire. All of ours returned safely.

REPRISALS. RAIDING PLANES ORDERED. GERMANY GETTING READY. LONDON, Oct. 1. It is stated that the Government- has ordered a greatly increased production ol special raiding aeroplanes. The* Times says that the announcement on the strength of the Premier • roadside remark that the Government has decided on air reprisals is somewhat misleading. That there is no sudden change of policy is apparent. Delay has been caused by the necessities of construction for the requirements of the army. Construction has, however, reached a point at which reprisals can be undertaken without interfering with army supplies. The reorganisation of the air service has been long considered. Projected reforms will settle the Government policy without regard to the results of recent raids, nor with a desire to triumph over the sentimental objections to aerial offensives. The whole question is the selection of the best objects for attack to gain a military victory, viz., attacks on Germany and an extension of the operations which have long been carried out behind ,the German lines. General S'muts has been engaged on behalf of the Cabinet in supervising the progress of wuv aviation.

The effectiveness of the official decision in favour of air reprisals is indicated by telegram received at Amsterdam from Wilbehnsliaven and elsewhere stating that the cities of Germany arc in total darkness, with theatres and cafes clo.ed at H p.m. Air defences have been doubled, and will shortly be trebled. Similar precautions are contemplated in all the leading harbours.