The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-06-21
AERIAL TRAGEDY
. BY SHAM ATTACK
BALLOON PUNCTURED HIGH
IN AIR BY AN AERO
PLANE.
CLAIMED NINE MEN
Mimic Warfare in the Sky at vi
emma Resulted in Thrilling
ing Disaster
CLAIMED NINE MEN
(By Associated Press.)

Vienna. June 20.-Nine burned and
mutilated bodies. the cplintered frag-
ments OF an aeroplanc and the char
red IcmaiusO big dirigible balloon
are the mute records of one OF the
mast sensational disasters which has
occurred since man learned to fly.
The catastrophe, which resulted in the
death of all concerned, nine officers
anu men, followed mimic attack BY
the aeroplane on the dirigible at a
great height during the Austrian man
oeuvers and seryed to show. more than
any previous accidents to flying ma
chimes have done, the horrors that
would likely to attend aerial warfare.
The military Girigiblc balloon,
kocr.iing. early today left Flscha-
mend. IL miles from Vienna, manned
ny Captain Johann Hauswirth. in COM
mand: Lieutenant Ernest Hofstetter,
Lieutenant Breur. Lieutenant itaidin-
ger. Corporal Hadima, Corporal Weber
and Engineer kammerer
At the elapse of an hour a military
biplane, with Lieutenant Flatz and
Lieutenant HOosta aboard, started in
purCuit. g.
1t was the intention of Captain
Hauswirth 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 the
range of any OF the mosquito craft.
which might seek to attack him.
Crowd Gathered
The news had gone abroad that
something in thss nature of an aerial
Eham fight would, take place and at
kdentgEbeTg the tene. OF }the engage;
smsnts e sshtgscr6 lhad gat atbersd: Very
fHslic @ihas speed
: SisrFcraf q. :. overlook the big rship, and,
then She spectators Witnessed a thrill.
ing eight.
AS might wRsp. bent on attacking
sOIriec iumcy enemy. the aeropIane cir
cied several time around the balloon
now darting clo:c to her, and then
away. always apparently steering off
just In time to avoid actual collision.
Meanwhile the. BALLOON continued to
rise until 1t was about 1900 feet from
the ground. The aeroplane at a still
greater height, maneuvcred until II
appeared to be nearly over. the air
chip. then began its descent. It was
the evident intention of the pilot of,
the eeroplane to take up q position
directly above the dirigible, within
striking distance. but owing either to
fatal miscalculation of distance or
cpeed. the nose OF the biplane struck
the envelope OF the airship and rip
ped 1t wide open.
Balloon Exploded.
: A tremendous explosion followed.
the balloon bursting into flames. which
length like lead to the slope of hill.
Almost at the same moment tile wifo
OF Lieutenant Hofstetter. who,,had
been married only q month, arrived In
q motor car.
Tho envelope Of the balloon still was
burning when 1t struck the ground.
Lieutenant Flatz, when extricated
from the wreckage OF the aero
plane. showed faint signs of life. but
almost Immediately expired. All
the others were killed.
Military officers who Witnessed the
disaster said that the maneuvers had
ben undertaken with instructions to
carry out as far tas possible, the actual
war conditions In which an aeroplane
was attacking dirigible, the latter
trying to reDel the assault. The oc-
tcupants OF both crafts had been or
dered to conduct Themselves as they
would In actual combat
According to some experts, tie ca
tastrophe seemingly was caused by
the aeroplane being caught in the. ed
dies from the balloon. They attribute
the accident to3a species OF whirlwind |
caused by Ehe atTship's propeller,
which drew In the smalier machine.
Archduke Francis and several offic..l
cials Of the ministry arrived shortly on
the scene and an; aide de camp of the |
Ern peror also proceeded to seek infor-
nation for His Majesty and express
the EEfperor's Eympathv 1.5-SgA |
The Austrian army lost seveful srf
ttspmost intrepid and experienced apit