The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-11-23
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and the adaptation of the flying machine to the
needs of the army and the navy in time of war.
These officer students have gone into the work
With that spirit of professional devotion which is
OF the utmost value to the promotion of helpful
knowledge. and they have generally avoided
those hair-raising performances which are VAL
liable only asset for the Snowman.
These calm-minded devotees-the term en-
rhusiasts might be misleading-have earnestly
striven to make the most out of the instruments
placed in their hands, but in doing this they
have made more than one fatal stumble despite
their caution. The use of the aeroplane In re-
cent military maneuvers has exacted its doleful
price, and 1t is time that due thought was given
some of these many accidents. Strange as 1t
may SEEM the recent mishaps which have been !
most SUCCESSFULLY Illuminating have been those
that were generally not fatal in their conse
quences. although some have exacted the lives
OF the participants.
On March 10 at Johannisthal. just outside OF
Berlin, a flying machine driven by Schade and
an aeropane handled by Rettinger came to-
Eether while in the air short distance above
the ground. The machines were instantly smash
ed and sent crashing to the earth Neither OF
the aviators was injured. but passenger was
hurt. Unquestionably. this collision was brought
about by the mutual effect Of the disturbed air
between the two machines. The next mishap CT
a kindred character occurred at Dousi. France.
on June 10. but with disastrous results. Captain
Dubois and Lieutenant Megnan. both OF the
army, were operating aeroplanes during dense
fog. ard drove into each other while going at
high speed. Lieutenant Meignan was killed al
most instantly. and Captain Dubois died In the
hospital few hours later. The machines were
splintered by the collision. Here We have
counterpart OF conditions which have SO often
caused trouble upon the water. but conditions
which may be even more frequent aloft under
atmospheric circumstances of common occur
renee. OF course. the gravity OF a collision In
the air is unfortunately increased by the neces-
ssarily high speed at which the flying machine
must advance In order to sustain itself In flight
On June 90 at AixJes- Banes Mile. Helene
Dutrieu, while aloft, fell upon two ascending
monoplanes. and all three machines dropped to
the ground I'm heap. The two neither aviators
were pretty seriously bruised but Mile Dutrieu
was uninjured. fortunately falling upon the I'M
.derIying machines and thus having the force OF
her drop greatly lessened Undoubtedly. Mile.
Dutrieu hit hole In the air." and her mono
plaue started earthward before she could check
or control its descent by gliding volpane. The
question is What caused that hole in tire air?
Did the movement of the two ascending aero
ulaues create the disturbance which narrowly
escaped causing serious CATASTROPHE This has
been answered by subsequent accidents
Two French army officers. Iieutenants criez
and Buriez on July started for Belfort cu the
eastern frontier leaving the aeronautic station
at villa Coublay just outside Of Paris. Lieuten-
ant Briez had the start Of his associate. and was