PEGOUD'S LAST FIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16013, 3 September 1915, Page 5

PEGOUD'S LAST FIGHT.

DUEL ABOVE? 'CEENCHES.

KILLED BY A '*■ BULLET. • (Eeceived September 2, 9.40 > p.m.) ''i : > ' * Pabis,' September 2- . An official account of the death of Adolphe Pegoud states that the famous airman met a glorious death during a plucky fight over Petitcroix. Alone, he daringly attacked a German machine, emptying several belts of machine-gun ammunition. A bullet killed him instantaneously, and his machine fell m the French lines. It is unofficially stated that soldiers -watched the fight with growing anxiety, while occasionally when the positions of the aeroplanes allowed it* the German and French guns joined in the duel and sent shrapnel bursting around the combatants. Suddenly a shunt of rage came from the French trenches and Pegoud's machine dipped ; and then fell headlong. The body of the airman was extricated from the debris. ' . ■•£:.- . .

Another report- states that- Pegoud & was shot dead at a height- of ;K;

6000 ft. The Germans r had ; for a ~ -■ long time awaited an opportunity to kill Pegoud. Shortly before his ■"'.>• death Pegoud said: "The? Germans -; have sworn to have my blood, but v it will cost them dear." F - c; --y : ;S

Pegoud at_ the outbreak -of' -war" acted as aerial guard to General Joffre. Later on he - was a constant source of terror to the Crown Prince's army in the Argonne and in Alsace. *#- ...

He brought down his sixth aviatik on July 11 la.st. His looping The loop and angle gliding baffled his opponents. Pegoud was also the hero of innumerable daring -bombing feats. '.