The daily times. [volume] (Wilson, N.C.) 1902-1936, 1918-08-03
WHILE THEENEMyCONT|NUES TO RETREAT
HARASSED BY THE ALL|EDFORCES
ments of the enemy in the valleys Of
the Andre and Vesle."
PILOT MUST BE ALERT

British Air Force Headquarters in
France.-Brains and quickness OF
thought are as necessary to the air
men as pluck, endurance and physi-
cal skill in aerial manoeuvres. The
English pilot of single-seater fight
er Of the latest type, while cruising
all over the German lines the other
day, says below him three slow, old
fashioned enemy machines flying
steadily westward, as though 10
cross the lines into British territory.
Unfortunately, the Germans were
too far off to be attacked successful
ly, and the British pilot figured that
If they realized his presence they
would fly for home and safety long
before he could get within range. He
therefore flew up into the clouds and
then turned in the direction in which
the enemy machines were moving.
Judging by this time, he pushed
the noise of his machine downward,
dived out of the clouds to the Ger
mans beneath, and when close en-
ough to be fairly sure of his mark,
pressed the trigger of his gun. A
stream of lead played about the Ger
man machines. None Of them re-
turned his fire.
Once before the pilot had heard of
a similar occurrence. This flashed
through his Minis, and pulling back
the control lever, he scared up again
into the clouds. He was only just in
time, for as he vanished into the va
por three enemy scouts appeared.
The slow machines were the bait and
the British airplane was the expect
ed prey, for its pilot was well-known
and feared by the Germans in that
part Of the line.
Once he knew what the odds were
against him, he no longer hesitated.
Down once more out of the clouds
lie came, straight at the nearest
scout. A short burst from his ma
chine-gun and the hostile machine
wavered, then slowly fell into spin,
hurting downwards and crashing fai
below.
The odds were still five to one.
True, three of the enemy machines
were slow and old-fashioned, and
taken alone might have been az
counted for one by one, but the ad-
dition of two fast-fying scouts man
oeuvred by skillful pilots gave the
matter a different aspect. The Brit
ish pilot did not wait but no sooner
had one machine fallen than he flew
at the next, banking, zooming, side
slipping, ever trying to reach the vul-
nerable spot in the enemy's armor.
All the time the second scout was
trying to secure a favorable position
to fire at the attacker and the three
old two-seaters were firing long
range bursts as opportunity afforded.
For some minutes this competition
for position continued each party fir
ing short bursts without definite re-
suits. Then suddenly the deciding
factor arrived.
Out of the sky loomed two-seat-
er British fighter of the latest type.
1t was proceeding on a special err
rand. Before the Germans had real
lied his arrival the new pilot steered
his machine into the midst of the
fight. A long Bdrst from his rear
gun caused one of the German fight
ers to stagger in its fight, then drop
its nose and leave the combat. Evil
IDENTIFY the pilot had been hit. Then
together the two British machines
charged the Germans. A short skir-
mish ensued before the enemy decid-
ed that discretion was the better
part of valor, and put their machines
into spins to evade their adversaries'
fire in the low altitude close to earth
where the aircraft batteries would
protect them.