In recognition of their gallantry and skill Captain J. Upton Kelly and Captain A. M. Miller have been made Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. Captain Kelly when making a reconnaissance came down to 700 feet under heavy fire, and obtained valuable information. Again, in attempting to observe through clouds, he flew over the enemy lines at 500 feet, and although severely wounded and almost blind, he brought his machine back to our lines. Captain Miller on one occasion flew close to the ground along a line of hostile machine-guns, engaging them with his machine-gun, drawing their fire, and enabling the cavalry to advance. Again, when alone, he engaged five enemy machines, bringing one down, and also successfully bombed a troop train, coming down to 300 feet to make sure of hitting. Besides the names already given, the following officers have been awarded the Military Cross: Lieutenant Norman Brearley, Captain Dixon-Spain, Second-Lieutenant Spencer Reid. Each has performed remarkable feats. Lieutenant Brearley on one occasion went out to attack an enemy kite-balloon and managed to get immediately above his objective. He then pretended that he had been hit by anti-aircraft fire and side slipped down to 1,500 feet, when he suddenly dived at the balloon, which was being hauled down, and fired into it until he almost touched it. When at 300 feet from the ground, the balloon burst into flames and was entirely destroyed. Captain Dixon-Spain, with Second-Lieutenant Reid as pilot, attacked and drove back a hostile machine. A few minutes later four hostile machines were seen, three of which were attacked, one after another, and driven back, the fourth being accounted for by another patrol. Another time they attacked two hostile machines, shot one down, and drove the other back. Two days later they attacked two more machines, of which one is believed to have been destroyed, the other being pursued back to its aerodrome. Reference must also be made of the courage and fortitude of Lieutenant Eardley Harper, who has been awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous skill in many aerial combats, and notably when his machine, with two others, met six hostile aeroplanes. He at once attacked, and shot down one machine. He then attacked and drove down a second one. A thick fog came on, and in landing his machine was wrecked, and he was badly cut and shaken. He managed, however, to walk two miles to his aerodrome and to deliver his report before collapsing. Another noteworthy case is that of Lieutenant Charles M. Chapman, who has been awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous skill in action against hostile aeroplanes. On one occasion he attacked three ‘L.V.’ machines and one Fokker, shooting the latter down. Later, during an air battle with eleven enemy machines, he brought another Fokker down. CHAPTER XXVIII FRENCH APPRECIATION