New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-05-12
Another, Chased by Six
German Airmen, Downs
One and Escapes
Enemy Lines Bombed
Tons of Explosives Dropped
on Massed Troops and
Ammunition Dumps

WITH THE BRITISH ARMY IN
FRANCE, May 11.-Thcre has been
much air fighting during the last few
days, and the British airmen have fully
sustained the great reputation they
established early in the war. Scores of
| battles might be recounted in which
the British triumphed over greater
numbers of the adversary. All of these
stories vary only as to details.
Several days ago near Ypres one
British machine attacked five Germans
single handed. The Britisher engaged
one of the enemy and fought him until
he turned tail and ned. The English
and pressed the attack SO hard that the
enemy was forced into a nose spin in
an attempt to escape. The ruse was
futile, however, for the Britisher fol-
lowed him down, firing steadily at the
helpless German with his machine gun
until the latter finally turned on its
hack and fell plummet-like.
Attacked by Six Filters
Another British plane was attacked
by six enemy machines which came at
1T from below and behind. The British
observer opened fire at close range,
e.
which dived and then burst into flames.
This finished the work of the British
pilot, who got away cafely.
But lighting planes are not the only
ones that have been busy. The British
bombing squadrons have been doing
wonderful work destroying railroads.
billets, ammunition dumps and bomb
ing enemy troops and transports. Tons
OF nigh explosives have been dropped
among masses of the enemy at night,
causing heavy casualties. The British
machines also have been employed con-
stantly in attacking the infantry from
low attitudes with machine guns. and
IN many cases veritable slaughter has
resulted. The artillery planes also
have been doing invaluable service d.
recting the fire of British guns, and
this represents one Of the most impor-
tant phases of the duties of the all
corps, for the pilots are the eyes OF
the gunners.
Fought Odds of Ten to One
=, IN addition to destroying eight of
the twenty German airplanes, which.
as related yesterday, were engaged SO
successfully on Tuesday by two Brit
lsh machines. the British aviators sent
down five others damaged. The battle
began when the British aviators at
seAS>SU ocVeA NcIIHun planes. Two
other enemy formations came up, rails
ing the total of German machines to
twenty, but instead of retiring the
British fighters pressed the attack.
In and out among the large enemy
force. these two planes, with their gal
liant little crews, swilled and CHARGED.
working their rapid-frers like mad.
One Of the Britishers got on the tail
OF big German machine and riddled
it with bullets. The enemy airplana
hung quivering in the air for a moment.
and then, turning its nose toward the
earth, crashed down with sheets Of
flame bursting from It.
Seven Others Shot Down
The seven other German machines
were shot to pieces in rapid succession
ana took the final plunge, three of
them leaving wake of fire and black
smoke to tell the story of the terrible
fate suffered by the men strapped in
their seats. The five other enemy ma.
chimes, forced to abandon the fight be-
cause Of their crippled condition, were
seen to dive away in the hope of reach
ing the ground safely.
Thirty minutes had sufficed for the
two British machines to accomplish all
this. Only seven of the twenty enemy
planes remained in the air. The Brit
ish had used up all their ammunition
in the furious melee, however. and
there was nothing left to do but to
withdraw, which they did in safety