He had paid for his imprudence
by a severe cold. But now, comfortable-looking wooden houses stood along
the shore, and Guynemer was himself again.
On July 27, while patrolling with Lieutenant Deullin, his chum of Somme
and of Aisne days--in fact, his friend of much older times--he brought
down in flames, between Langemarck and Roulers, a very powerful
Albatros, apparently a 220 H.P. of the latest model. This fell far
within the enemy lines, but enthusiastic British soldiers witnessed the
scene. Guynemer had chosen this Albatros for his victim among eight
other machines, and had pulverized it at a distance of a few yards.
This victory was his forty-ninth. He secured his fiftieth the very next
day, bringing down a D.F.W. in flames over Westrobeke, the enemy showing
fight, for Guynemer's magic airplane was hit in the tail, in one of the
longitudinal spars, the exhaust pipe, and the hood, and had to be
repaired. This day of glory was also one of mourning for the Storks.
Captain Auger who, trusting his star after seven triumphs, had gone
scouting alone, was shot in the head, and, after mustering energy enough
to bring his machine back to the landing-ground, died almost
immediately.
Pages:
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249