The Washington times., 1914-11-23
Lone Aviator Battle an
Army With His Pistol

Lieutenant BrlSgS, OF tne brltlSn
royal naval air service, who was one
of three aviators who tried to destroy
the great Zeppelin sheds at Frfedrichs-
hafen. A dispatch just received here
by way of Berlin and The Hague
from Friedrichshafen states that
Lieutenant Briggs. with his she'll
pierced gasolens tank k,.aa on hrs: Gsonv;na VOL
many bombs as he glided to the earth.
Then. with his pistol. he fought sin
gle handed until he was felled by a
head wound and made a prisoner.
The three British airmen. whose
starting point is not announced. sud-
denly appeared to the Germans at 2
O'Clock Saturday afternoon while fly
at q great height over Lake Con-
stance. Great precautions, which the
Germans have taken to protect the
dirigibies at Friedrichshafen were
responsible for the detection of the
aeroplanes. Word was telephoned
ahead to Friedrichshafen, and when the
three aviators approached the Yep
peIin plant the Germans were ready
for them.
Bombardment From Sky.
A bombardment high into the sky
was begun bv the numerous high pow
cred Krupp guns that have been mount
ed on the roofs and in wios, area sur
rounding the Zeppelin plant. These
guns specially designed to fire at high
angles, sent scores of shells into the
sky, the shells exploding near the aero
planes.
Two of the aeroplanes discreetly kept
high enough to be out Of range Of the
shrapnel shells. All three circled about
the town and dropped six powerful
bombs. These came so close to hitting
the Zeppelin sheds that tremor Of ap-
prehension spread through the thou
sands Of persons who were watching the
combat. Two other bombs were drop
ped into the town, severely damaging
several houses and killing woman and
a man.
The craftsmanship of the British air.
men was exceptionally good, consid-
ering the great height at which they
were flying. and after the two bombs
had dropped into the streets many per-
sons fed to cellars and other places
where they fancied they would be safer
than in the streets.
Swoops Above Hangars.
One of the aifmen. Lieutenant Briggs.
apparently realized that not much could
be accomplished by dropping bombs
from such a height. and the German
report gives him credit for making
"a fearless attempt to cross the hangers
at a height Of only a quarter Of q
mile"
They considered this fearless, as they
knew that It would mean almost GER
tain death to the aviator. But Lieu
tenant Briggs bravely took the chance.
After circling down like a hawk about
to seize its prey his aeroplane glided
across the hangers within easy range
Of the powerful aeroplane guns mount
ed on the hangers and on buildings
near them.
A storm of shells was hurled at him.
They burst all about him. each ex-
plosion rocking the wings of his ma
chine. But he fearlessly continued. and
as he vas above the hangers he drop
ped two or three bombs.
The heart Of every German was in
his throat. expecting to see the giant
Zeppelins. being made ready for an
invasion of England. blown to pieces |
But the speed Of Lieutenant Briggs
aeroplane was so great that the bombs !
missed their mark and exnloded q dis !
tance from the sheds. doing small dam
age.
Shell Fires Gasclene.
While his aeroplane was over the
hangers and as 1t was being rocked and |
dipped by the explosion nf shells near
it. a fragment of a shrapnel shell
IUe bTlllSI al HldIl 6dSOiCflC
tank. The spilling gasolene caught fire.
possibly from other shells bursting near
it. and Lieutenant Briggs. with his !
aeroplane on fire. realized that he could
not escape.
With his power thus cut off he could
do nothing but volplane. end as he
glided down to the eartn he unstrapped
his heavy revolver. As the wounded
and burning aeroplane landed. only 800
feet from the Zeppelin hall. Lieutenant
Briggs hoped out and prepared to fight
to the death.
He was alone and his enemy Was the !
German army The two other airmen,
after dropping all the bombs they car
ried. had flown away across Lake Con-
stance and toward the lines rf the
allies. =.
Soldiers ran from the Zeppelin wharf
toward Lieutenant Briggs. He waited
calmly until they We're within range OF
his pistol. and then he opened fire. The
German report fails to state what jam Il
age he did with his pistol. but they |
give him full credit for his valor. 4
Only when German bullet had hit
his head and knocked him senselcss was
ne taken prisoner. Those who know
him best believe that every cartridge !
IN his revolver was discharged before he !
fell The officer was carried by Ger
mans to n hospital, and so great was
rhe admiration of the enemy for his !,
ysIor and his heroic and hopeless de- Il
tense that it is understood the best of 1
treatment Is being accorded to him.