8 October 1917: battle in the sky

"Oberleutnant Gerhardt Felmy poses with Lieutenant C.H. Vautin of No. 1 Squadron. Vautin was taken prisoner, having crash- landed in July 1917. Two days later Felmy dropped this photo over Vautin's aerodrome to prove the Australian was all right. A member of No. 1 squadron then flew over Felmy's aerodrome to drop Vautin's clothes, kit, and some letters from home. AWM P02097.002" Source: www.awm.gov.au/articles/first-world-war-flying

Four enemy planes and two of ours engaged in battle over our lines. 
A most thrilling sight. Three Germans were beaten off and the fourth plane fought for three quarters of an hour and was finally driven to earth at Tel-el-Fara.
He is a famous Airman and a most dangerous opponent. His name is Felimy, I think, and was pleased to hear he wasn’t hurt. He has done our airman so many a good turn by looking after any of them who were unfortunate enough to get captured and dropping notes. Telling us of any men falling into their hands. 
He was a sport and here’s an instance. One of our men in a light machine engaged him and another and fought them for sometime until something went wrong with his plane and he had to descend. Felimy came over our lines and dropped a message saying his opponent was a brave man and that he’d like to shake hands with him after the war, but before the war ended he would like another go at him singlehanded. 
He is now a guest of the AFC and I hope they give him a good time. I salute him as a soldier, a sport and a gentleman. 
J. A. Graham