The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1915-01-07
PHANTOM BATTLE
IN AIR MARKS
D|R|G|BLE'S END
How "Republique' Went to Her
End Graphically Described
by Writer.
BOMBS DROP FROM CLOUDS
ferror-otrieksn Citizens See French
Machine Burst Into Flames After
Spectacular Fight Then 90
Out In Darkness and Night.

Out IN OarNnooo ana NiOnt.
The following word picture portraytng
. phantom night battle between airshiPs,
and the terror OF municipality unoer
an aerial bomb attack. comes from Ber-
lin although II was written on the scene
described herein. Owing 10 the strict Eu-
ropean censorship. however. the corre-
name OF the town about which he writes
20 graphically.
BerlIn.-The little French town is
lying asleep. II can do 30 In safety.
because the patrols are awake. But
ON the other side OF the mountain
there IL no sleep. The place Is hum
ming like beehive. But there is per-
feet order. Every one Is at his place.
They are preparing for the march.
Patrols have returned with the re-
port that the plain h free from the
enemy. The little town is the place
they mean to march to. They think
the town is empty. The fact that the
French had come In had not been
made known. They came out OF the
forest. through which they marched
during the night; and early In the
morning they marched In, hidden by
the vineyards.
Now the town is a. small camp.
Every house fortress. The superior
oncers have taken up their quarters
in the city hall All lights are out
The mayor asks: Why"
He 10 told
because the Germans have air
ships."
The mayor makes the sign Of the
cross He has heard OF the Zeppelin.
But we also have airships," the
mayor says.
The French captain mods:
zone OF them will go up this night.
II will fly over the hills to visit them
over there"
| At night the ofrcers are entertained
ton are present. The notary makes
. passionate speech about the brave
] army. The colonel thanks him In the
name OF his comrades. He speaks
highly OF the town and its hospitality.
Two hours later. only the men on
guard are still on their legs. But the
mayor did not go to bed; also. the
.clergymen and notary are waiting.
What for? For the Republique.
This Is the famous aeroplane of
which the captain spoke.
Night Dark and Windy.
The sky is dark and overcast with
thick clouds Only from time to time
he dim light of the moon steals
through these dense masses. But
quickly II grows dark again. The wind
whistles through the forest and
through the vineyards into the town.
banging shutters and doors.
Where is the Republlque?
The townsfolk have been waiting
now for an hour. with their eyes fixed |
on the dark sky-but nothing-noth- |
ing.
Now they hear a peculiar noise re- |
sounding through the darkness from
above. They stretch their necks. But |
their eyes are unable to penetrate the
darkness. They listen intently.
The humming and buzzing become
more distinct. II sounds as IL gigan-
tic bird were rapidly moving forward
on HIS wings. Now they see some
thing-or do they only believe they
see officiating through the air like
a torpedo. The French mayor would
like TO shout for Joy. "Yive la Re
Now the buzzing has turned into
rafting and cracking. II seems to
the mayor as II he saw small lights,
Pickering. extinguishing and haring
up again. Now all has disappeared
again In the darkness; only the buzz
King still is heard-the heavy stroke
Of the wings OF the gigantic bird.
But behind the mountain the Ger ]
mans are on the lookout. The guards {
At the aviation post don't know sleep. |
The eyes OF the officer at the tele- !
graph are as bright now as at noon. I
Now spark and the writing lever
splutters dashes--dots.
Repabllque 10 Sighted.
He has sighted the Republique, A
thrill whistled signal gives the alarm
n the station. !
Ahc RSPupiAquc must not pass over
he mountain. They will try to
latch her or drive her back at least. I
Brief commands are given--precise !
A few minutes later a
leavy biplane stands ready to start
A short examination OF the wires
ind supports. then the pilot and OBJ
server take their places. The motor J
= started. the apparatus staggers in !
vide jumps over the ground. and sud
ienly IT shoots up with last power
ul pull. II disappears into the dark.
Fhe compass needle shows the way.
They fly higher and higher; the
idges OF the mountain become visl- :
lie as long, dark strip. Now the
,iplane passes over them in smooth
light. 1t keeps in the dark. The
vind blows against II. The apparatus
cOeg still higher Now the moon