A VERY GALLANT AIRMAN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11906, 2 September 1919, Page 2

A VERY GALLANT AIRMAN.

‘ YOUNG BALL’S EXPLOITS. TERROR TO THE GERMANS.' A MAGNIFICENT DEATH. One hears a great deal about the marvellous “stunts” performed by individual aviators in the latter part of the war period, says an Australian aviator who recently returned to Sydney, but I question very much if Great Britain or any other country has produced a single flier to equal Ball, V. C., whose brilliant reign ended in May, 1917. I was attached to his squadron in the early days, and had ample opportunity', not only of watching him and marvelling at his wonderful daring, but of contrasting his deeds with those of other brilliant fighters who came after him, and I don’t think anything has surpassed his intrepidity. He was only a youngster, yet he was mentally equipped to grapple insthntly with almost auv problem that presented itself to him. His eye was as keen as a hawk’s, and his wits were as sharp as a needle. But he was not one of the daring, happy-go-lucky type. Pie was always terribly in earnest. The whole business to him was the most serious man was ever called upon to tackle. Even in practice “stunts” he never went up without a very definite object in view. He had great confidence in his own ability; yet he never took needless chances or exposed himself to unnecessary risks. In tbe early months of 191 G Immelmau, the great German fighter, was piling up his list of victms. No doubt the German was a clever and courageous fighter; but he met more than his match in Ball. In the most of his fights what gave the German the advantage over his opponent was his ability to turn his machine in its own length and double back in on his course when flying at over 100 miles an hour, IMMELMAN’S WATERLOO. This ‘ Tmmelman turn” was one of the most talked-of feats at that time. Ball studied it, as he did every new movement he saw, ind after hours of dogged practice he completely mastered it. He had already met Immelman. Now no decided to silence him. Three times they met, and on each occasion both their machines suffered severeij from machine-gun fire; '.but neither combatant was hurt. When the opposing squadrons met over the German lines each searched for the other, and it was apparent to all that sooner or later one of them must go “west.” On their third meeting they fought for two solid hours, each turning and twisting and diving and looping and trying to get the other at a disadvantage. So accurate was their shooting that very few bullets went wide of their mark, yet 1200 rounds by Ball and probably as many by ‘ Immelman failed to “get home.” At last, exhausted, the German was seen to raise his hand, wave farewell, and disappear towards his base. Ball returned, cool and as determined as over, with his ’bus (SE 0) absolutely riddled. That night he declared he was going up again in the morning to have another “go,” and he was confident that he would either “wipe the blighter out” or be wiped oat himself. And so it proved. Immelman was looking for him when he went up next day, and after a short, fierce encounter he drove the German to his doom. FACED EVERY’ DANGER.

Of course Immelmau was not Ball’s only victim, but ho usually found it very difficult to get anyone else to face him. As soon as his machine was recognised the Germans invariably cleared out. I remember seeing him one day, when lie was returning home after exhausting his ammunition. On the way he espied a German, and immediately went after him. The German fired, but Ball dodged about until he got to close quarters. The a he discharged his Verey light in the pilot’s face, and so blinded him that ho was able to down him. On another occasion when he was without ammunition lie dashed to ■within a tew yards of a German ’bus, shot the pilot with his revolver, and saw the machine dive headlong to the earth. I do not think any German except Immelman ever tackled him single-handed; but sometimes a whole squadron -would endeavour to cut him off. Yet he faced anything and everything that came his way in the air, and was seen repeatedly to fight, four, five, or even six opponents at a time, and seldom without bringing one or tsvo of them down. Not only that; he used actually to go out in search of groups of enemy fliers, charge into the midst of them, attack in every direction, and keep up his fire till the whole lot dispersed. THE Y.C. —AND DEATH. There was no holding him m. Hardly a day passed without his list of victims being added to. Officially his total was put down at 48; but those w r ere only the ones he was absolutely certain of. Most of us believed he could have added a round dozen to that number and still have been within the mark. He was '.the hero of the hour, and had had decorations showered upon him by Britain, France and Russia. But he had not yet won the coveted V. O. “I am going to win it or die in the attempt, ” he said one night, and the following day he did both. Bo terrified were the Germans of him that they organised a special squadron of a dozen or more machines to endeavour to capture him. On ascending Ball saw three enemy ’planes, and immediately attacked. No sooner was he busily engaged with them than the special squadron appeared and assailed him from every side. But he did not turn and flee, as lie might have done. He faced the lot, and for a time managed to hold his own, then suddenly he was seen-to descend, faster—faster—That was the glorious end of poor young Ball. A cross near Lille marks the spot where he fell.