Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-11-13
.. S. FLYERS N
DARING ESCAPE
Encounter Superior Enemy Force
In Raid on Port Of
Pola.
One Machine Drops Into Sea When
Plane Is Punctured-Piiot Is Res
cued by comrade With Great
Difficulty and Dangers.

An American Adriatic Seaplane
Base.-Upon the American squadron
Mt this station has fallen the duty OF
dropping propaganda leaflets over the
port of Pola, explaining TO the Aus
Vians why America Is fighting.
A patrol composed Of fast machines
and clasers started from this station
at 1890 a. m. one day recently. The
operation involved a flight Of about an
hour. Arriving at Pola, they encoun-
tered strong patrol Of five enemy
land machines which considerably out
numbered and heavily outgunned the
Americans.
The American light planes were at
an altitude Of $3.50 meters when the
enemy was sighted. The decision to
attack was made Mt once, and the sig.
nal was given to the chaser machines
to drop to lower altitude and engage
the enemy. The heavier and slower
American machines were ordered to
escape.
Gun Jams; Flyer Quits.
Outnumbered at the start, the Amer.
lean chnsers were soon in even worse
positions and the plane Of FIR sign Jo-
hni1nsen, after a short flight, vas con.
PEELED TO retire. His gun iammed, and
n far as fighting was concerned the
battle was over for him.
Meanwhile Ens1n Ludlow, who had
engaged two enemy machines single
handed, had apparently perforated the
radiator Of one of his opponents ma
Chimes. and this Alhatross pulled out Of
teA night. Another Albatross closed in.
Ludlow's right magnetic was shot OF,
~ propeller was struck and apparent
~ splintered and the engine crank case
WIS iit.
While he stuck 10 the fight his motor
caught FIRE In the air. He set of and
tDeah deliberate nose spin. This
rdAheuver put out the flames Just be-
fore they could reach the gasoline tank
Of wings. Strengthening, he landed on
the water five miles from Pola.
QuAftermaster Charles Hammaf,
Swing that Ludlow had descended In
close proximity to Pola. simulated a
disaster Of his own. Hamman went
down ID nose dive, permitting his
assallants to conclude he had been put
out Of action. but at the end Of the
dive ne Strengthened out and maneuv-
cred his plane to within haling dis
tance Of Ludlow.
Sinks Piahe; Then Escapes.
ludlow ~ once opened the camera
slot In the bottom Of the boat In order
to'flll 1t with water, at the same time
kicking holes in the side and slashing
the cover of the wings. Then, az Ham.
Nan brought the plane closer, Ludlow
cakt himself adrlft from the sinking
plane and swan through the choppy
sea to his companion. Hannah fired
into the wrecked plane hundred
rounds from his machine gun, assur-
ing It's sinking and then turned to the
rescue ~ his superior officer.
The carrying capacity Of chaser
machine does not permit the transport
Of passengers, especially when the
planes are loaded with shot holes.
Ludlow conld merely hang on, lying
fiat under the engine. This so altered
the balance Of the machine that there
was doubt about its getting on the wa
ter. The power was turned on, but
the dangerous, choppy seas were sew
crAl feet high, and at the first attempt
tn rise Hannah smashed the bow Of
his boat. Tie kent on and in n mo-
Inent cleared the water.
Once safe In the air he headed FOR
the Adrlatlc searlane station. All this
time there had been the possibility OF
his being attacked both from the air
ly the Albatross and from Poln. where
the gallant rescue Of his commander
must have been easily visible.
Ludlow, hanging on underneath the
engine. never lost hts sense OF humor
As he few over the inland waters to.
wnrd the base on the last mile Of the
flight, he waved his hand to some
amazed italians.