Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-06

disappeared toward Metz. Saw enemy
balloon at Marieulies: destroyed IL
after three passes at. 1t. each
within a few yards OF the bal
loon. Third pass was made when
the balloon WAS very near the ground.
Both guns stopped. 20 pulled of 10
one side. FIXED left gun and turned
about 10 make one fina@ effort In burn
balloon. but saw that IL had started.
The next instant IL burst into great
flames and dropped ON the winch,
DESTROYING IT, The observer, Joseph
~. Fox. who saw the burning, said
ne thought several were Killed when
IL hurst into flames 50 close 10 The
ground. There was n good field near
our balloon line. 80 landed for con
frnalion. Left field and started
bark when my motor began cutting
out. Returned 10 same field and
there found that my motor could not
he fixed 50 returned home by motor
cvcIe. Attached you VIII find CON
frmation from Lieut.. Fox and Lieut..
Smith. Both saw burning"
The chief mechanic pointed out
the holes through the wings and fuse
iage ~ Luke's damaged plane.
II never say y bird bring IN a
ship shot up like that who didn't
get himself bumped Of soon." he
warned.
Look 81 that retoried Luke, stick
ing his finger through bullet hole
in the side he had ridden in. IF
they were going 80 get me. that one
would have done the job. They can't
get me-
Webner had played bis part IN the
! days work by guarding Luke against
attack from he rear by German
planes. During Luke's repeated al
tAckT on the balloon, Wehner had
kept hve FoLkefs engaged, 80 that
Luke had ~ deal only with the
ground batteries
The 9Th pricked up iis ears, The
uew boy il. the class had put oh II
real ,siioW. lie hsd fought itomerie
battle. Won n eIean-cut victory against
great odds and under circumstances
showing remarkable courage, Opinion
changed, and the very men who had
! refused 10 credit his "vi"tory" Of "A
month before we're the hfst 10 de
nounce their own doubts. They were
| moi 10 wait hong for additional proofs
/ ~ Luke's meitle,
Luke Scores Again.
/ Two days later, 6n the tith oi
/ September, Luke started after an
] other balloon with an akCoti of iiGhi
/ ing Planes Ia protect him against
! the German f'nkkerA. Just as they
| ~ me Into position for Iuke's attack.
! the expected FDkkefs dove on the
! sseofi. Lea wing his aona pa MONS ~
! engage the enemy planes, Luke diVed
| al The sausage" but again his first
| 8ttHsk failed. az H. had lwo days be-.
| fore, 10 did his SECOND. hammered
! Nv constant lBfnmina 1T his tnaehiIs
guns. The AriZona hoy dived through
/ be wall ~ cannon and inarhiHs gun
| FIRE six times, his last Bitank send
! log the balloon down. lie naiyeiy re.
! Lotts Thai siHce he had eayiridee go
| isft In one magazine ha attacked the
! ground batteries III close range, scat
| lefinR The gun crews.
Ills own iapse report " II vivid
| picture If his flashing attacks. Il
! reads;
| September ~, 1918
| "I,laiil. Lake rsp1tts. fsef forma
| ton at A bar DGuft and attacked an
| enemy balloon near fsoinVille. Dove
| a. n six times through fire al class
| range Had tWo EiDpraRes with ny
| left gun, WHirh carried iEeendjars
| bullets, and after Using both continued
| the attack After about ~ rounds al
ineendiaFy were t1fed Jan result n
and could moi be flAed, A few rounds