Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-05-24
u. S. NAVY AVIATOR
MEETS HIS DEATH
IN SEAPLANE FIGHT
Ensign Potter and His Com
panion Fight Gallant Battle
With Seven Enemy Machines
Over the HeIigoIand Blight

WASHINGTON, May 22.-That Amer
lean naval aviators have operated over
Heligoland blight was revealed today
when the committee on public informa-
ton announced the death of Ensign Ste
phen Potter, L. S. n. r. F.. Detroit,
Mich, in a spectacular battle with seven
enemy single-seaters.
Potter and a companion battled gall
lantly against the V-shaped flying
wedge of the Teutons and quit only
when his machine. in flames. came
crashing down on the port wing tip.
The last seen of him was on the sur
face, surrounded by the burning oil.
Suddenly a cloud of smoke obscured
him, and machine and all disapT cared
completely.
The story of Potters encounter with
the enemy says:
Potter left the North sea station in
a British seaplane and steered due east
until six miles west-southwest of north
of Hinder light Another plane accom-
panied Potter and kept position to star
board throughout the action. Two enemy
planes were sighted to port, heading
toward them, flying low. Both British
planes dived about 100 yards apart, clos
ing upon the nearest German.
Story of Fight
Fire opened from both at close
range.
"Potter's companion had emptied one
drum from the forward cockpit when
the gun damned. Two more hostile
planes then appeared overhead, attack
VEI, TD-s4
the west, pursuing one of the lower
enemy who was soon lost to view.
Three others passed astern, following a
sharp angle. Potter was close above his
companion and dove to within 100 feet
of the water.
Both machines flattened out and Pot
terS companion, being faster, throttled
down until Potter came abreast. Thus
they ran westward at full speed Close
together for several minutes under con-
tinuous volleys from the rear.
-Four more enemy machines now APP
peared in V formation. Of seven Ger
mans in action, four were attacking
Potter and the others his companion.
Potter fell behind and began to zig
gag. He first veered slightly starboard,
then turned to right angle to port.
Again his companion throttled down
to let him catch up and began climbing
to reduce Roadway. Potter lodged again.
but was then broadside to all enemy
machines and under their fire, only fifty
feet from the water. His companion.
$50 feet above, saw Potter machine
burst into flames, come down part of
the way unedr control, then crash on
the port wing tip.
Potter was last seen on the surface
amid flames, which suddenly turned tc
a huge cloud of smoke.
Two of the enemy circled over the
spot, then Joined the other side When
the pail had cleared, not even wreck
age was visible"
Bravery Commended
Potter enrolled September %, last, as
a second-class seaman in the flying
corps. He was promoted to an ensign
November 2, ordered to France, and
later sent to England.
Concerning Potter's brave conduct and
his eagerness to engage with the enc
my, the commanding officer of the Brit
ish North sea station wrote:
Potter always displayed greatest
eagerness to fly at all times. On the
long reconnaissance in which he shot
down the German seaplane, he displayed
great courage and GOODNESS. He was
very popular at this station"