Transcriber’s notes Changes made are noted at the end of the book. HEROIC AIRMEN AND THEIR EXPLOITS [Illustration: Flight-Commander W. L. Robinson, V. C. By Dudley Tennant. _Reproduced by special permission from the plate in ‘Answers.’_] HEROIC AIRMEN AND THEIR EXPLOITS BY E. W. WALTERS _Author of ‘The Souls of the Brave,’ ‘Heroines of the World War,’ &c._ LONDON CHARLES H. KELLY 25-35 CITY ROAD, AND 26 PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. _First Edition, 1917_ TO THE MEMORY OF THE HEROIC AIRMEN WHO HAVE LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY AUTHOR’S NOTE Acknowledgement is due in many directions, to various friends for supplying interesting information, and to the authors of various books and articles. These pages, however, are far from being of a technical nature. The chief aim is to awaken the interest of the reader and throw fresh light on heroic deeds. E. W. W. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION 11 II. THE BIRTH OF THE AIRSHIP 14 III. THE PIONEER WORK OF M. SANTOS DUMONT 18 IV. FURTHER LINES OF PROGRESS 22 V. THE BIRTH AND GROWTH OF THE AEROPLANE 30 VI. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS AND CERTAIN ENEMY MACHINES 37 VII. THE ZEPPELIN AND OTHER MODERN AIRSHIPS 44 VIII. CONTROLLING AN AEROPLANE 53 IX. FLIGHT-COMMANDER WILLIAM LEAFE ROBINSON, V.C. 61 X. LIEUT. F. SOWREY, D.S.O., AND LIEUT. A. BRANDON, D.S.O. 75 XI. THE CAPTIVE ZEPPELIN 89 XII. LIEUT. W. L. TEMPEST, D.S.O. 94 XIII. LIEUT. WARNEFORD, V.C. 104 XIV. THE NEW ARM IN WARFARE 108 XV. FROM VICTORY TO VICTORY 117 XVI. AIR SUPREMACY 123 XVII. FLIGHT-COMMANDER ALBERT BALL, D.S.O., M.C. 127 XVIII. LIEUT. ALLAN BOTT, M.C. 130 XIX. FLIGHT-LIEUT. GUYNEMER 134 XX. LIEUT. STEWART GORDON RIDLEY 137 XXI. SOUS-LIEUT. LOUIS NOËL 142 XXII. FLIGHT-LIEUT. HAROLD ROSHER, R.N.A.S. 147 XXIII. AN OBSERVER IN THE R.N.A.S. 152 XXIV. HEROES OF THE ROYAL NAVAL AIR SERVICE 157 XXV. TOLD BY THE ADMIRALTY 162 XXVI. HEROES OF FRANCE 168 XXVII. AWARDS AND DECORATIONS 191 XXVIII. FRENCH APPRECIATION 202