Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-24

could see the burst of gaseous smoke from
, the Taube and almost instantly one of the
British machines tilted sideways, crumpled
up in one wing and plunged headlong to the
earth 1t struck in patch of woodland half
a mile away.
From the aviation headquarters an auto
mobile leaped down the road, flying the white
flag of the Red Cross. None of us felt like
going over to that wood. A little later the
auto came back and two limp, khaki figures
were carried into one of the tents
Meanwhile the Taube had dashed bach
over the town. This time 1t presented
fair and square mark for the antl-aircraft
gunners. The white, cottonwood she'll puffs
bloomed all about the intrepid airman. 1t
seemed as though he could not escape being
hit. But he bore a charmed life, apparently,
for not only did he pass over half of the
town before he swung away to the east
ward. but he dropped three more bombs,
each, as we saw afterward, with serious
effect
The three remaining pursuers were close
on the Germans trail, however, as he sped
over the city. The two Frenchmen were
flying at double the Germans altitude,
slanting down toward him in converging
lines, and owing to their downward course
making two feet to his one. The Britlsher
plane of altitude and flying at about an
equal speed
The Germans course, as he swung away
from the town for the second time, brought
him across the further end of our aviation
field.
AS he neared the field the German swung
in his course again and steered directly
overhead. Behind and above him came the
Frenchmen, swooping down like great
hawks The Taube screamed by overhead
like an angry bird of prey
The Soldiers Are Terrified
AS the big flyer buzzed over the drill
ground, scarcely 1900 feet above 1t, one of
the airmen tossed something overheard, q
round, dark object that fell swiftly toward
! the very centre of the grouped masses of
British troops, great shout arose, and
men scattered in every direction A big
circle of empty drill ground was cleared in
less time than it takes to tell it. circle
! fringed with leaping PROSTATE figures, all
| bent on escaping the dread little black OBJ
! ject that fell so swiftly toward the earth.
Into the very centre OF that widening cir
Gle the falling object struck with a soft
thud, bounced bit and lay still. There fol-
lowed a moment of tense silence, then there
burst from those thousands of British Tom
mics shout OF JOY shrek of appreciative
glee that completely drowned out the hum
of the Frenchmen's motors as they flew by
overhead closing in the already distant
German. The bomb" was the black leather
helmet OF an aviator. tossed over the side
by way OF Joke
Meanwhile the pursuing Frenchmen had
made their last stroke at the lone German
machine. Closing in on each side they had
dived past the Taube and showered it with
rifle FIRE. Whether or not either of the Ger
mans was hit we never knew. but their ma
chine never wavered. only swung sharply 10
the right and headed straight for the dis
tant battle line.
Then the Frenchmen swung Off toward
Bethune to return TO their own field, and
the Britisher spiraled down TO us, coming
to halt within ten yards OF where stood.
As'he climbed from the machine he asked a
sergeant some question. caught the words:
Both killed. sir"
The casual young Engllshman was light
ing cigarette as the answer came. He
finished the Job without batting an eyeash.
Thanks" he drawled. and strolled off
toward one OF the tents
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