other companions on a
patrol in the Moreuil-Montdidier sector on May 8th, when the French
squadron met three German two-seater airplanes coming toward them in
arrow formation. Signaling to his companions, Lieutenant Fonck dived at
the leading German plane and, with a few shots sent it down in flames.
Fonck turned to the left, and the second enemy flier followed in an
effort to attack him from behind, but the Frenchman made a quick turn
above him and, with five shots, sent the second German to death. Ten
seconds had barely elapsed between the two victories.

The third enemy pilot headed for home, but when Lieutenant Fonck
apparently gave up the chase and turned back toward the French lines the
German went after him, and was flying parallel and a little below, when
Fonck made a quick turn, drove straight at him and sent him down within
half a mile of the spot where his two comrades hit the earth.

The German heroes were the celebrated Captain Boelke, and the no less
famous inventor of the "flying circus," Count von Richthofen. Captain
Boelke caused a great many Allied "crashes" by hiding in clouds and
diving straight at planes flying beneath him. As he came within range,
he opened up with a stream of machine-gun bullets. If he failed to get
his prey, his rush carried him past his opponent into safety. He rarely
re-attacked. Count von Richthofen was responsible for many airplane
squadron tactics that later were used on both sides. The planes under
his command were gaily painted for easy identification during the thick
of a fight. Their usual method was to cut off single planes or small
groups of Allied planes, and to circle around them in the method
employed by Admiral Dewey for the reduction of the Spanish forts and
ships in the Battle of Manila Bay.

The dangers of aerial warfare were instrumental in producing high
chivalry in all the encampments of air men. Graves of fallen aviators
were marked and decorated by their former foes, and captured aviators
received exceptionally good treatment, where foemen aviators could
procure such treatment for them.

Until the advent of America into the war, neither side had a marked
advantage in aircraft. At first Germany had a slight advantage; then the
balance swung to the Allied side; but at no time was the scale tipped
very much. American quantity production of airplanes, however, gave to
the Entente Allies an overwhelming advantage. Final standardization of
tools and design fo