Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-19
Fonck Do,D.s Six
German A;rplanes
in Too Hours Time

Correspondence Associated Press.1
Paris, May 13.-Lleut. Rene Fonck,
theNyoung French "ace Of aces fought
three distinct battles in the air when,
on May 8. he brought down six Ger
man airplanes In one day. His record
never has been euualled In aviation.
All three engagements were fought
within two hours. In all Fonck fred
only fifty-six shots, an average OF
little more than nine bullets for each
enemy brought down; an extraordin-
airy record In view Of the fact that
avfators often fire hundreds Of rounds
without Gripping their opponent.
Tho first fight, In which lieutenant
Fonck, brought down three German
machines, lasted only minute and
half and the young Frenchman fired
only twenty-five shots.
Attic Lieutenant Fonck IS OFFICIALLY
credited with bringing Gown forty-two
enemy airplanes In , all, military,
av,ators believe. that he has sent down
at least sixty machines. He is "a years
old, IL cool In battle and handles both
machine-gun and airplane with great
skill.
SA'Sss was AGdOiH9e Two OLner COM
panions on a patrol in the Moreull-
Montdidier sector on May when the
French squadron met three German
two -seater airplanes coming toward
them In arrow formation. Signalling
to his companions. Lieutenant Fonck
dived at the leading German plane and.
with a few shots, sent 1t down in
flames. Fonck turned to the left and
the second Hun followed in an effort
to attack him from behind. but Sthe
Frenchman made quick turn above
him and with five shots sent the
, second Hun down to death. Ten sec.
onds had barely elapsed between the
two victories.
The third Hun headed for home but
when Lieutenant Fonck apparently
gave up the chase and turned back
towards the French lines the German
went after him and was flying parallel
and a little below. when Fbnck made a
quick turn, drove straight at him and
sent him down within half a. mile Of
the spot where his two comrades hit
the earth. ', -.
This ended the first engagement.
Several German observation balloons
had been brought down by French
aviators. Lieutenant Fonck returned
to his camp and waited three quarters
Of an hour for the Germans TO learn Of
that fact and send their chaser planes
to the scene Of action Then he, With
two companions, went out Is meet
them. Above Montdidier he came upon
German plane which was regulating
the enemy artillery fire, Owed 1000
feet and sent the German plane to
earth with few shots. Taking refuge
in cloud Fonck lost his two COM
panions. Emerging from the mist to
start for his own lines, Lieutenant
Fonck saw. before him four single
scatter Pfalz airplanes protected. at
1900 feet above, by five German Alba
trosses, making for the French
trenches with the conveying planes
leading. In a second fight, Fonck
overlook the rear Pfalz machine, fired
and saw it fall.
At the sound Of his gun, the two
Pfalz machines in the center Of the
German group turned. one to the right
and the other to the left, to attack the
daring Frenchman but Fonck drove
his airplane swiftly ahead and over
took the fourth Pfalz machine. A few
shots under It's tan sent II down In
flames and the victor flew on to safety
leaving the two other Pfalzs and FIVE
Albatrosses wondering what had struck
the squadron.
The air fights were staged from $500
to 5000 feet up. The first German fell
lat 4:05 p. m. and the last at 6:65 p. m.
Lieutenant Fonck used an ordinary
Spad machine equipped with two rapid
| fire guns. He has been pilot since
1915, passing into chaser squadron
| about year ago. On the day follow
| ing his six victories he was made an
officer Of the Legion or Honor and sub
sequently was promoted first heuten .
ant.
ChamberIain's Tablets.
People everywhere speak well OF
Chamberlain's Tablets. II you are
troubled with indigestion or constipa-
| tiOn give them a trial Won a 70 20 ri a 4 r,