Guerder, who
had picked up his rifle, laid it down, executed the maneuver indicated
by Guynemer, and resumed his machine-gun fire. This episode lasted two
minutes during which Georges maintained the airplane under the Aviatik,
unwilling to change his position, as he saw that a recoil would expose
them to the Boche's gun.
Meanwhile Vedrines came in search of the victor, and piloted the machine
back to head-quarters, with Guynemer on board seated on the body and
quivering with joy.
With this very first victory Guynemer sealed his friendship with the
infantry, whom his youthful audacity had comforted in their trenches. He
received the following letter, dated July 20, 1915:
Lieutenant-colonel Maillard, commanding the 238th Infantry, to
Corporal Pilot Guynemer and Mechanician Guerder of Escadrille M.S.
3, at Vauciennes.
The Lieutenant-colonel,
The Officers,
The whole Regiment,
Having witnessed the aerial attack you made upon a German Aviatik
over their trenches, spontaneously applauded your victory which
terminated in the vertical fall of your adversary.
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