A Human Hun.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13526, 9 October 1916, Page 3

A Human Hun.

CHAPLAIN'S TOUCHING LETTER TO A BRITISH MOTHER. "WE SALUTE YOU RSON." The epic duel between Immelmann and Lieut. MacCubbin, in which the Fokker champion was sent to his doom some weeks ago, is referred to in a chivalrously-worded letter which was received recently from a German field chaplain by the'mother of Lieut. Savage, the young aviator who was mortally wounded in the fight. The story of how the renowned enemy airman met his master has been related in official communiques. Lieut. MacCubbin, together with Lieut. Savage, was out on an evening patrol when they engaged a party of Fokkers. Something went wrong with Lieut. Savage's machine, and instantly Immelmann pounced upon his victim. Before Lieut. MacCubbin could Save his chum, Immelmann's observer had sent a bullet through Lieut. Savage's heart and his machine crashed to the German lines. Describing the funeral service, the German field chaplain (says the Central News) writes to Lieut. Savage s mother: —

Dear Madam,— Yesterday morning, June 19th, we have buried in our military cemetery, with military honours, the remains of your son, Lieutenant Savage (25th Squadron of the Eoyal Lritish Flying Corps), who was killed on the 18th June, 1916, at 10 o'clock in the evening, shot through the heart. Six officers and a firing party of infantry have attended the funeral. Of the pervonal belongings found in his possession—letters, money, photos—it is not likely that anything will reach you. The observer of the machine will be able 1 to give you further particulars of his last flight when the war is over, and then it will be also possible to indicate to you the exact position of the cemetery, which is a few kilometres from the landing place of his flying machine. Should you think of asking my assistance for this. purpose I request you to make use of the address of my friend in Denmark through whose medium I am forwarding this letter. , A stone with his name -written on it will be placed over his grave as if it were one of our own men. In my address at the graveside I said that we must recognise that the deceased, although an enemy, was a hero, one who had proved himself a man, and who had fallen in flight on his machine which he had christened My Child," with one of our foremost aviators, Lieutenant Immelmann. And our thoughts and sympathies went forth to her who has now to mourn the loss of her son (her child). 1 feel madam, to be under the necessity of expressing to you personally these sentiments. We lower our weapons before a brave and a chivalrous K Field Chaplain. Lieut. Savage, it should be added comes of a grand old stock He had the courage of his breed, and accordin, to Lieut. MacCubbin, had been through many gruelling experiences before he met his death. The historic family of Savage hails from the County Down. Major Savage the airman's father is fighting in the present war, and Ins grandfatliei Sought in the South African war against the Boers in 1845, andl against the' Kaffirs in 1846 and 1848. His grandfather, General John Boscawen Savage, distinguished himself m the Peninsular war. It should be recorded that a Bn tish airman-a "deputation" from Our Flying Service-dropped a wreath t the funeral of Immelmann at considerable risk to himself. The Germans, misunderstanding his indentions, fired on him.