AVIATOR SERGEANT'S EXPLOITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16205, 15 April 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

AVIATOR SERGEANT'S EXPLOITS.

Seiigeaxt GnYNKiiEn, the aviator who, as recorded in the French official note, aboard his little biplane, has brought down his fifth German aeroplane, is only 21 years of age and wng still at college when the war bioko out. He promptly engaged in the air service, and in April, 1915, obtained his pilot's certificate. Tall, well set up, and dark-complexioned, with a budding moustache, he looks the typical collego student. Ho has had but one machine, a small biplane, which now bears many patches over bullet holes. He has affectionately nicknamed his aeroplane "Old Charlie." Five nails driven into the butt of his machine gun bear witness to his irophies. Despite his youth, Sergeant Guynemer already wears the Cross of the Legion of Honour, the Medaillo Militaire, and the Croix de Guerre with six palms. His first three exploits wore accomplished on September 5 and December 8 and 11 last year. On December 14 Sergeant Guynemer added a Fokker to his record, The fight was a dramatic one. The two aeroplanes circled round one another for several minutes, firing at pointblank range. Then youni; Guynemer rose suddenly above his antagonist and by a superb feat of airmanship emptied ' his machine-gun at the enemy monoplane. The German tell headlong to the ground while the Frenchman returned to camp badly winged.