‘Four of our machines were lost, that is to say, that they were compelled to descend in German territory, a strong westerly wind drifting the battle as it raged more and more over enemy’s soil. In the ships which came home, one brought a dead observer, and two others, with wounded pilots, had difficulty in beating up against the wind and landing in our lines. Of the enemy we know that six machines were sent to earth, of which three are known to have crashed. What happened to the other three, beyond that they were falling out of control, is not known. In yet another the pilot was seen to be shot dead. What further casualties the enemy suffered he only is aware; but the best evidence that the victory was ours lies in the fact that the whole enemy formation was broken and scattered. The Germans fled for safety in all directions, leaving us in possession of the sky. Then we went upon our business; we punctually dropped our bombs on the stores and ammunition depots of Vaulx-Vraucourt, and then came home proudly flying in regular formation, no German daring to interfere.’ Again and again the Germans have made desperate efforts to snatch the control of the air from the firm grasp of the Allies, but without the desired result. The Allies’ aviators are not to be beaten. Their enterprise, their courage, above all their heroic bearing, are proof against all attacks. CHAPTER XXXIII A GENERAL VIEW ‘Any unbeliever in the reality of the command of the air being in the hands of Britain and her Allies,’ writes the editor of _Flight_, ‘must indeed be despaired of, after the daily records of the wonderful work of our pilots which are issued officially, combined with the unstinted paeans of praise emanating from every imaginable source upon this and the other side of the world. Quite recently again, Mr. H. G. Wells repeated his admiration of the Allies’ air-work; at the same time he entered the lists with General Brussiloff as prophet as to the duration of the war, Mr. Wells putting it at June, 1917. Mr. Wells’ reasons for his prophecy are as follows: ‘I think so for a hundred reasons, but above all for these: The marvellous organization of the French front, the mastery of the air which is assured to our aviators—I was witness of it, and I should rather say the exclusive possession of the air. Then the photographic marking by aeroplanes, in which the French take first rank. Lastly, by your artillery fire, which demolishes, methodically and mathematically the enemy batteries without fear of reprisals.’