GALLANT FRENCH AIRMEN.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13982, 19 November 1917, Page 8

GALLANT FRENCH AIRMEN.

HEROIC.RESCUE OF A'BRITISH COMPANION.

The following account is of interest as showing how the French airmen work with the British, and also how

promptly the -French Government rewards in deserving cases:— , In April last a combined Allied attack was made on a seaport "somewhere in Flanders." A British aeroplane was hit, and fell with its-occu-pants into the sea. The position was so' dangerous, and the enemy's lire go heavy, that the French commandant forbade any attempt at relief. A French Euseigue de 'Yaisseau, however, in defiance of orders, went with ,Ins seaplane to the rescue, and succeeded in getting the British officers on to his craft. The machine being later disabled, they were all taken prisoners by the Germans. [

' The French commandant, in writing to the Enscigne's father, described the son's conduct as heroic. The fire was terrific, the young man's action was watched with the greatest anxiety, and the escape of the whole- party from wounds was miraculous. After speaking in the highest terms of the young officer's conduct, the commandant added that, as orders had been disobeyed, it would have been necessary, bad he returned, to place him under arrest. The further duty liad. remained to report his conduct, with the result shown in the order of superior authority. These included an Army Order of the day, recounting the exploit, and adding the palm to Hit-Croix de Guerre, already earned by the Euseigue, and a decree appointing him Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, An order of the Minister of Marine of a few days later promoted the Euseigue de Yaisseau lo flie rank of lieutenant as'a specially; deserving ease.

1 His services have also been recognised by the King, who has been pleased to create him a member of the D.S.O. and to confer upon his observer the D.S.M. The King has also conferred the D.S.M. on the crew of the companion seaplane. ■The young officer is Mho son of a French noWeniaii of Hie South of France, connected with a British family- well represented in the Services.