Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-11-14
AIRMEN OF THE ALLIES SWEEP
THE SKIES OF HOSTILE CRAFT

The gripping interest OF aerial war
fare. net the mere dropping OF bombs
by some dirigible or aeroplane, but
actual combst of flying machines in
the vast stretches OF the upper air. is
described in the following account of
a battle between airmen. printed In
the Dundee Peoples Journal OF re-
cent date:
The Allies have proved themselves
master Of the air even as Britain has
proved herself mistress OF the seas.
Hardly a day passes without the story
OF some thrilling victory won by the
British, French or Russian airmen in
those attitudes where the German di-
rfgible enee boasted her sovereignty.
Perhaps the most vivid story OF an
aerial encounter that has reached
these shores is that related by Pvt
George Carver, OF the Sd Division Roy
al Scots, who mas been invalided home
to Dundee II tells of a gallant deed
by upside down" airman Pegoud, the
little Frenchman, who was the first
aviator to give an exhibition Of loop
ing-the-loop before the British public.
Few of US who saw Pegoud's startling
feats at Herndon ever dreamt that his
theatrical Ioolhardiness. as many
then mistermed his skill, would one
day be an asset of international impor-
lance
French Hawk and German Eagle.
/ When hostile aeroplane is sight.
ed" says Pvt. Carver, -the soldiers are
ordered to lie fiat with their faces to.
wards the ground. as this makes the
location of position more difficult
besides being safer should there be
any housekeeping going forward.
/ .0n the occasion I'm going To tell
yeu Of, however. a good few OF us lay
dewn on our backs with our faces up
{ turned and we saw battle that vel
all remember till we die.
we were stationed near the vii
lage OF ST Quentin. and In the after.
noon a German plane was sighted
heading In the direction OF our troops
Imm ediateiy the order to lie aat was
given, but before obeying the com
nand, several of the men had Obsery.
ed a steadily growing speck approach.
Ing the intruder. end the news that a
French machine, driven by the re-
doubtable Pegoud, was coming to give
battle, spread like lightning through
the ranks. Steadily the two aero
| planes advanced towards each other
and 1t was noticed that each was
gradually mounting higher. The
Frenchman's ascent, however. was
made with the greater speed, and. at
ia tremendous altitude he was seen
towering like hawk above his prey.
awaiting the moment to strike. The
overhead position was, or course, ex-
tremely dangerous for the German,
who was compelled to make swift
descent and Pegoud. following re-
morselessly, kept him on the down
ward course.
Suddenly point Of flame flashed
ont from the French machine, and the
far-of crack of a revolver was waited
down to Us. In quick succession 9TH
er shots from both machines followed.
and then Pegoud commenced che Of
his amazing series of aerial evolutions
which, startling as they are in ordin.
AIRY times. must have been absolutely
demoralizing to the enemy. At terrific
speed he darted to and fro, discharg-
ing his revolver at every favorable
point, and forming ever-narrowing CIR
cles around the other machine. At
last one of his shots struck the Ger
man pilot, and men and aeroplane
went headlong to death.