THE YPRES TIMES 181
lives in the offensive at the end of October, 1918, and of some ninety airmen who fell
over the lines during the whole period of the war. Of the airmen, three were removed
from the German military cemetery, Lauwe, near Menin. This little town, on the River
Lys, busy with its flax fields and flax factory, had been occupied by and under the heels
of the Germans since the early days of the war. But relief came to it on October 17th,
1918, a dull day, when the clouds were low and conscientious airmen, fearless in discharge
of their duties, had to take the additional risk of flying near the ground. How two of
them took this risk is well described by a Belgian lady who wrote to her sister, a refugee
in England.
It was on October 17th, a day memorable to those of Lauwe. About nine o'clock in the morning
there was a cry in all the streets of The English are here Vivent les Anglais and everyone ran out
of their houses and walked about the streets. This instant we were in the height of bliss. About eleven
o'clock we saw an aeroplane flying very lowin fact, not much higher than the chimney of the factory.
In it were two Airmen, who waved a little flag or handkerchief. Everybody waved in return, and on all
sides there were only one cry, Vivent les Anglais.' Just then I was in the Rue de Menin, returning
from the farm Debrabiendèré, where I had gone ready to welcome the Tommies. I just cried with joy,
and waved my handkerchief like everybody else to the happy warriors.'
In the meantime, we were still in great danger as the Germans were continually shelling the
village, and the police made us go indoors. The last German patrols were still quite close at Preshoek.
Two days afterwards I heard that this was the last flight of the fearless Lieutenants,andwho,
after having patrolled two or three times over the village, went off towards the railway station, and alas
it was there that the two gallant aviators were brought down by machine-gun fire.
The two brave Airmen have been buried in the German Military Cemetery. The Municipality,
in the name of the people, placed two beautiful wreaths upon their graves. The ribbons with which
they were tied bore the following inscription
The thankful population to the heroes who
delivered the town, Lauwe, October 17, 1918.'
HARLEBEKE NEW BRITISH CEMETERY IN 1929.
