He
was also hit once in the leg, the wound being painful though not
dangerous. He received first aid treatment and wanted to get back
into the fight, but this was not allowed, and he had to watch the
battle from the ground.
The fight was fast and stubborn, and in the end the American forces
won, for at a signal from the remaining red plane, which seemed to
bear a charmed existence, as it did not appear to be hit, the others
remaining of the Hun forces, turned tail and scooted back to safety.
But they had left a toll of five machines sent crashing to earth,
four of them each containing two men. The leading French ace was
killed, a severe loss to the Allied forces, and three of the
American machines were damaged and their operators severely wounded,
though with a chance of recovery. By American machines is meant
those assigned for use to Pershing's forces, though the craft used
up to that time were of French or English make. The real American
machines came into use a little later.
"Well, I think we can call it one to our credit," said Tom, as he
rejoined Jack after the battle.
"Yes. But you had all the luck!" complained his chum. "It went
against me, and the lad I took up. It--"
"Never mind; it'll be your turn next," replied Tom, consolingly.
And so the new American aviators received their baptism of fire,
and, to their credit, longed for more.
More credit was really due the American forces than would be
indicated by the mere citation of the losses inflicted on the German
side in this first air battle.
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