The Palatka news and advertiser., 1915-07-23
BRITISH Av|ATORS.
They Saved Gen. French's s
Army and Have Per-
formed Many Brilliant
Deeds in the
War.

British military aviatorS had un-
doubtedly attained greater degree
of organization before the war broke
out than at one time appeared posi-
bic, or indeed than was realized by the
British public. Like every other de-
partment, of course, its personnel and
equipment were not based upon a
scale in any sense, commensurate with
the magnitude of the gigantic war
with which the nation was suddenly
confronted, but nevertheless were
ready and complete enough TO as
found, by their effective work, every
man who was not already aware of
their inspiring capabilities. At the
very outset of the campaign they
saved the British expeditionary force
from extinction, for if his aviators
had not warned him in time, Gen. Sir
John French would not have known of
the oncoming of immense German
hordes charged with the Kaiser's ex-
press command to wipe out the "con-
temptible little army" writes l.. Free
ston in Scribner's. As everyone
knows, the memorable retreat from
Mons was strenuous enough as it was,
and ranks as one of the greatest of
military achievements; but in his his
toric dispatch Sir John French could
not conceal his satisfaction with the
services which his gallant flying men
had rendered, while Gen. Joffre |
awarded the British flying corps the
decoration Of the Legion of Honor
forthwith.
Many Gallant Deeds.
AS the British aviators began, so
they continued, and the history of
their achievements is one long record
of deeds of gallantry and daring.
Fired by these exploits, large num-
bers of young men passed through
the schools and were enrolled as pi-
lots, while the manufacture of aero
planes was pushed forward in everv
available factory. The efficiency of
the flying contingents at the front
has not only been increased accord
lngly from month to month, but the
outstanding feature of the aerial war
fare has unquestionably been centered
in its scientific no less than its mill
tary value. Whether voluntarily or
under orders, flights have been made
and with conspicuous success, of
kind which had never been attempted
A Marvellous Escape.
Volumes might be written, if all
he facts were known, as to the innu
nerable thrilling adventures and mar
'ow escapes which have been inciden-
al to this aerial warfare throughout.
\ certain number have found their
way into the worlds press, and others
me hears Of privately, but it is safe
o say that many will never be rec
'rded. In the second category may
'e mentioned the remarkable expert
nee of an English aviator named {
lapplebeck. A fragment of shell
ntered his right hip, struck five .
ranc piece in his pocket, and the
plinters of each ploughed across his
ody to his left hip. By all the laws !
+ surgery he ought to have bled to '
cath. He retained consciousness, I
owever, until he alighted, and was {
hen, after temporary attention, dis (
atched to base hospital, where the |
urgeons found that though an ar I
erv had actually been pierced it had
cen automatically plugged by a sew
red muscle. Verrier the French ex
ert, also effected a descent under
conditions. One leg l
'as completely paralyzed by the en- G
mv's fire, while the observer on f
oard was even more seriously t
rounded, and Verrier had to guide his a
lachine earthward not only when all ?
ut disabled himself, but with the i
hole weight of his passenger lean d
lg on the control levers. >