Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-21
AeropIane Rips Open Gas Bag
of Austrian DiriqibIe 1900
Feet From Earth.
GREAT CROWD WITNESSES
SHAM BATTLE IN SKIES
Catastrophe Is Vivid Indication of
Horrors Likely to Attend
Aerial Warfare.

| VIENNA. June 2o.-Nine terribly burn
ed and mutilated bodies. the splintered
fragments of an aeroplane and the char
RED remains of big dirigible balloon
are the mute records of one of the most
tragic, certainly the most sensational
disasters which have occurred since man
learned to fly.
The catastrophe, which resulted in the
death OF all concerned. followed a mimic
attack by the aeroplane on the dirigibe
at great height during the Austrian
army maneuvers, and it serves to show
more vlvidly than any previous acci-
dents to flying machines the horrors that
would be likely to attend aerial war
fare.
The dirigible military balloon Koert-
ling, left Fischamend, eleven miles from
Vienna, at o'clock this morning. She
was manned by Capt Johann Hrs
Wirth. In commando Lieut. Ernst Hofstet-
ter. Lieut.. Bruer. Lieut.. Haidinger,
Corp. Hadima, Corp. Weber and Engineer
kammerer
Starts in Pursuit.
Half an hour later a military aero
plane of the biplane type, with Lieut..
f1atz and Lieut. Hoosta aboard. started
IN pursuit 1t was the intention of Capt.
fdlrswirth to take photographs of the
movements of the troops below, and then
to join in the maneuvers. At the same
time he was to keep out of range of any
or the mosquito craft which might seek
to attack him
The news had gone abroad that some
thlng in the nature of sham areial
nght would take place, and at Koenigs-
berg, the scene of the engagement, a
Dig crowd had gathered. Very quickly
tne smaller craft overlook the big air
ship. and then the spectators witnessed
a thrilling sight
Like wasp bent on attacking some
clumsy enemy, the aeroplane circled sew
eral times around the balloon. now dart
ing close to her. and then away, always
apparently steering off just in time to
avoid an actual collision.
Made Miscalculation.
Meanwhile the balloon. continued to
rise until 1t was about 100 feet from
the ground. The aeroplane. at a still
greater height, msneNEered until 1t ap-
peared to be nearly over the airship
Then 1t began it's descent. 1t was the
evident intention of the pilot of the aero
plane to take up position directly above
the dirigible, within striking distance.
but owing either to a miscalculation of
the distance separating the two craft, or
of speed, the nose of the biplane struck
the envelope Of the airship and ripped
1t wide open.
balloon burst into flames. which en-
veloped the biplane, and In a moment the
wreckage began to drop, crashing to the
slope of a hill.
Almost at the same moment the wife
of Lieut.. Hofstetter. who had been mar
a a n q
car.
The envelope of the balloon was still
burning when it struck the ground.
Lieut.. F1atz, when extricated from the
signs of life. but almost Immediately he
expired. All the other aviators were
killed instantly.
Was Sham Battle.
Military officers, who witnessed the
disaster said that the maneuvers had
been undertaken with instructions to
carry out as far as possible actual war
conditions. in which an aeroplane was at
tacking a dirigible, the latter trying to
repel the assault.
The occupants of both craft had been
ordered to conduct themselves as they
would in actual combat.
According to some experts, the cataS-
trophe seemingly was caused by the
aerOplane being caught In the eddles
from the balloon. They attribute the ac-
cident to a species of whirlwind caused
by the airship's propeller, which drew In
the smaller machine.
Loses Daring Aviators.
The Austrian army has lost several
of its most intrepid and experienced
aviators by todays accident, as well as
its only dirigible.
The start of the dirigible was made
without difficulty, but. it Is said, short
ly afterward the spectators noticed that
the balloon was not flying as well as
usual. but was seemingly carried by
the wind. Lieut.. Flatz, who was at
tached to the navy. Is reported also to
have remarked that the machinery OF
the balloon was not in order, and that
he would ascertain what the trouble
was.
way men who witnessed the accident.
the aeroplane was within less than the
officially prescribed distance Of ten
meters from the balloon when suddenly
a gust of wind depressed the left wing
of the balloon. tearing the net covering.
Peasants who were also near at hand
report hearing despairing shrieks OF the
occupants of the gondola as the wreck
of the balloon descended. Assistance
came speedily from all sides. Officers
and men in automobiles hastened from
Fischamend. but it was difficult to To-
cate the spot until the pilot of an aero
plane made an ascent to reconnoiter.
Rescuers Are Horrified.
The rescuers were Mortified at the sight
Of the Koertling. Nothing remained but
twisted mass Of half-melted metal
framework in which the bodies were in
extricably entangled. Just beside it lay
the wrecked aeroplane with the bodies of
the officers firmly lashed in. The motor of
the aeroplane had stopped and was buried
deep In the ground. The dirigible motor
continued in motion.
Identification Of the victims was ex-
ceedingly difficult. So fierce had been the
! flames that all watches and rings were
melted. but singularly. the pocketbooks of
Hofstetter and Bruer were almost intact.
Lieut. Bachner, who was to have made
the trip. arrived too late to do So An
other similarly fortunate man was Fire
man Gaiswinkler. who was called back
| just as he was entering the gondola