Never Sets

As usual, the sun did not set on the British Empire, last week; but during a most unusual period of 36 hours the sun never rose except to beam upon a land where Death stood waiting for some British airmen.

At Hongkong, a Fairy 3-F seaplane with three Royal Air Force officers aboard became unmanageable in the air directly above the aircraft carrier H. M. S. Hermes. Plunging down like a plummet it tore a hole in the Hermes' flying deck, burst into flames and then rolled overboard into the sea. By smart work with a boat-hook the dead body of Flying Officer A. W. Hale was recovered before it sank; but divers had to go down after what remained of Air Lieutenant J. H. Graham and Telegraphist Stanley Jackson.

Two more Royal Air Force officers crashed to meet Death, last week, in the British-mandated Kingdom of Irak. Finally Death lay shrewdly in wait while an air shambattle was staged at Colchester, England. Two daring pilots attempted to sweep low over an imaginary column of infantry. Misjudging their distance they crashed and scored for Death, last week, a total of seven.

Optimistic Royal Air Force officials pointed out that although 25 of their airmen have lost their lives this year, the number was 48 in 1927 and 85 in 1926. With a little luck 1928 will not be Death's Banner Year.