AIR DESERTER.
GERMAN AVIATOR WHO FLED TO
SWITZERLAND.
GENWA, Feb. 20. There has been a dramatic sequel to th© bringing down of a German aeroplane by Swiss troops at Otterbach, near Basle. As already cabled, the machine was fired on as it was violating Swiss territory, and the- petrol tank having been pierced by four bullets, the aeroplane, was forced to descend and the pilot was taken prisoner. It now appears from a, statement made to the Journal d© Geneve that the airman is a deserter. He is a sub-lieu-tenant m the German air service, and \^hen at Freiburg- was ordered to proceed to the Western front to take part m the aerial operations against the Allies. He decided t6 desert, and havincr obtained a good machine for a trial flight he headed directly southward to Switzerland. He landed at Efringen, believing that he had crossed the, frontier, but discovering his mistake, resumed his flight until ho was brought down.
In confirmation of the. story of .his desertion, it appears that the machine earned no bombs, nor any maps or other equipment for hostile flights.
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Bibliographic details
Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14593, 1 May 1918, Page 6
Word Count
185AIR DESERTER. Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14593, 1 May 1918, Page 6
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