Gilpin observer., 1915-09-09
Old Spirit of Knighthood Main,
tanned Among Aviators.
British and German Air Raiders No
tify Enemy of Fate Of Rival Avl-
ators-Flyers Are Type With
Marked Characteristics.
BY FREDERICK PALMER.
international News Service.)

not apply to the British and German
individualism of our work and its nov
city, or whatever 1t is that is respon-
sible, something of the old spirit OF
knighthood maintains among the
flyers OF the air. When a British avi-
ator has to descend in the German
lines, whether from engine trouble or
because his engine or his plane has
been damaged by antiaircraft gunfire.
the next day the Germans report to
us his name and whether he survived,
and If so, whether he is wounded. We
always do the same. 1t has come to
be a custom"
The reports are made in a manner
worthy of airmen and they are the
only communications that ever pass
between the two foes, which watch
for heads to snipe at from their
trenches. What is called message
bag" is dropped over the British lines
by German or over the German lines
by British aviator-sometimes when
he is in the midst of bursting shells
from the antiaircraft guns. Long
streamers are attached to the little
cloth bag. These, as they pirouette
down to the earth from height OF
sever or eight thousand feet attract
the attention of soldiers in the neigh
borhood and they run out to get the
prize when 1t lands.
1t is taken to battalion headquar-
ters, which wires the fact on to the
aviation headquarters, where the fate
of a comrade may be known few
hours after he has left his home aero
drome; and. in another few hours
someone in England may know the
fate of a relative.
That is one Of the advantages OF
belonging to the flying corps" say the
British aviators. 1T may be weeks
before his relatives and comrades
know whether a man who is missing
after a trench attack or counter-attack
is prisoner or dead. Such little kind
nesses as this don't interfere with
you fighting your best for your
cause; at the same time they take
a little of the savagery out of war.
OF course. the rule could not apply to
prisoners taken in trench fighting
only to airmen. There are relatively
few airmen on either side and only
| an occasional one ever comes Gown
to the enemys lines"
With the first flush of dawn the
British planes rise from the aviation
grounds. All day they are coming
and going, and in the dusk of evening
~ hn
tances OF the heavens returning home
to roost.
The flyers become type with Ger.
I tain marked characteristics. No nerv-
Gus man is wanted: and it is time for
any man who shows any sign OF
| nerves to take a rest. They seem
shy, diffident. men of the kind given
| to observation rather than talking;
men who are used to using their eyes
rather than their hands. 1t is little
difficult to realize that some quiet
young fellow who is pointed out has
had so many hairbreadth escapes.
What tales worthy of Arabian
Nights" heroes WHO were borne away
on magic carpets they bring home. re-
lating them as matter-of-factly as II
they had broken shoe lace. Up in
their seats. a whirr Of the motor, and
they are away on another adventure.
They shy at the mention of their
names In print; for that is not con-
sidered good for the spirit of this. the
newest branch OF the service of war.
Anonymity is absolute Everything
is done by the corps for the corps.
Some members have luck. as they put
1t. and some do not. LIS name may
not be given. but his Is the most dra-
matte of recent experiences.
He was pilot flying in Belgium.
far away from the British lines. when
an antiaircraft shell mashed his leg.
which was hit by fifty bullets and
fragments, the doctor estimated. as
the story was told to the correspond
ent. He collapsed in his seat uncon.
scious His machine dropped at right
angles to the line Of fight. with the
concussion. The observer who was
with him managed to hold on by
clutching at the machine gun.
They we're careening down to the
earth. with the observer helpless from
his position to do anything. when
l. recovered consciousness and
mustered strength and presence OF
mind enough to right the machine and
to turn It round in the midst Of
cloud of shrapnel smoke. He was not
going to be taken prisoner, despite his
shattered leg. when he found that
the shell which had SO nearly done for
him had not injured the engine or
the plane. So he made for the near
est aerodrome.
There he managed to land safely.
But, as he said. he did not dare to get
out of his seat until the doctor came.
for fear that his leg would fall of.
He will get we'll.