Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-05-16
HUNTING DOWN HUNS
Lloyd Hamilton Writes II Some Excite
ing Experiences

h08 Experiences
The story OF an avintors sport OF
hunting down Huns on the western
front Is WILDLY told in q letter from
Lloyd A. Hamilton to his father. the
Rev. John A. Hamilton Of this city.
Young Hamilton on the day he wrote
the last letter had brought down his
| first individual Hun. although previous
to that no had FABRICATED in fights
| when the Huns had gone down but
his entire flight" Of six machines
had Clipped in to do the trick. The
fight was on April IL. during the last
great battle. and in this fight Hamil-
| tons flight" Of six machines accounted
for at least four Hun machines in the
space Of two hours and all returned
| safely
In the letter to his father Hamilton
wrote from time to time during the
day. At Sis he tells that he is going
out at $40 and hopes that he can get
sumes writing and has won his victory.
The flight OF six machines Of the
Royal Flying Corps. to which Hamilton
was assigned, was ordered out Of the
aerodome and they went far over the
German lines When they were re-
turning they pounced on five German
albatrosses which seem to be the fav-
orite German machine at present
Hamilton was flying below the rest Of
the formation when he saw what he
describes as "a beautiful black and
white machine with spots on It," The
Hun tried flight but Hamilton was ION
his tall" a position all aviators try to
get The American poured 400 rounds
Of ammunition as fast as he could
work his machine guns. He saw flames
burst out in the cock pit Of the Ger
mans machine and saw him dive for
the earth. They were then up in the
air 5000 feet and Hamilton followed
him down a mile to about 1000 feet
and saw him crash to the earth in a
burst Of flames. which covered him.
The Hun was later declared officially
dead and was credited to Hamilton.
The rest Of the flight was meanwhile
engaged in battle with other members
OF the Hun flight and Hamilton turned
to the right to climb back up to their
assistance when another Hun machine
flashed by him and dashed to the ground.
; The machine turned out to be the VIC
tim of the captain Of the English flight.
Hamilton was then SO near the ground
that he was plainly visible and four
Hun machines started after him while
the anti aircraft guns opened up hot
fire. He got away. however, and with
the rest Of the night returned safely.
They were sure they had accounted for
four and possibly five machines.
The work in which Hamilton is mainly
engaged. with others Of his kind. is TO
fly low and pour shots into troops. a
rather hazardous job. His is single
scatter, equipped with two machine guns.
He Is now with the Royal Flying Corps,
which has the record for successful bat
ties. Later, however, he will be COM
missioned a captain In the American
Flying Corps.
He was attached to the Royal Flying
Corps March 16. He got his commission
in England on March u. As soon as he
was assigned he was sent to France and
almost directly to the front. On the
frst day he was at the front. q shell
burst through the roof OF the aero
drome in which he and his comrades
were. The only thing which saved their
lives was that 1t was q dead shell. Al
drive was at its worst and they were
waiting for the fog to lift SO they might
Join in the battle.
They waited four hours and then things
go, SO hot they took their machines out
} anyway. On the first day the six went
out they secured large observation
balloon and a wo-seater observation
machine.
Hamilton was graduated from the
Plattsburgh school last summer and
made the aviation branch. He was sent
to the Massachusetts, Institute of Tech.
nology ard was one Of l5O selected to &c
70 Italy. This order was afterward,
, changed and he was sent with the rest
to England Here he studied until hi
got his commission and was appointed
to the Royal Flying Corps. He will gel
into ar American OUTFIT as soon as pos.
sible.