Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-06-23
Stories of the War
American Aviators in France.


American aviators in the service of
France. now stationed at the French |
front, are subject to the same disci-
pline as the French soldiers and the !
same promotions and recompenses are
open to them, while their duties are in |
every way as onerous and hazardous.
The only difference in their treatment
is an obvious Difference that originates
in French courteous hospitality. They
are at home everywhere.
When they are in Paris they have
comfortable accommodations at 10
Avenue des Champs Elysees, the
headquarters of the Franco-American
flying hotilla, and are entertained as
friends as much as they can stand
When they were training at Pau they
were housed like good paying tourists
and Toasted as much as was good for
them. In their new training camp at
Avord, near Bourges, there is more
business than feasting, but they are
quite content with the bungalow life
such as appeals to adventurous spirits
Here in the field, at a. point that
must remain anonymous, they have
post OF honor: that is to say where
flights, they enjoy the comforts of
home with the luxury of hot spring
baths to which the cohorts of Caesar
gave the first publicity.
Little advantages of this sort that
the Americans enjoy are typical of the
present feeling of cordialIty toward
the United States in France France
has no need of foreign aviators and
! the first offers from abroad were re-
fused Americans are accepted, there
FORE. purely as a courteous exception
to the rule, taking the places of just
so many disappointed French appli-
cants.
Another important discrimination in
favor of the American volunteer is
that, if he is found inapt for service in
the flying corps, his enlistment is can
celled.
The waiting period for the American
volunteer is not long, for he is an apt
pupil and gets through the eight diff
ferent classes Of instruction in
months time.
He begins training on 25-horse
power machine with shortened wings
and which cannot rise from the
| ground; he learns the use of the mo-
tor, control of the levers, etc, as one
| learns to drive a motor car. Then he
passes to a 35-horse power machine
| before trying a straigSltaway flight in
a machine that is just able to lift IT.
self from the earth. Next the pupil
begins more serious work with straight
! flights in q high-power six cylinder
machine that can rise a hundred feet
Then come circular flights around the
| aerodrome itself.
The pupil begins to take greater
heights and enlarges his circuits on
a 50-horse power machine in the
sixth class, and in the seventh he
takes cross-country flights with an
/ S0-horse power motor and at a, height
of 500 yards
! Tie eighth class is really what may
! be called the pupils graduating ex-
J yards, crosS-country triangular
fight with two landings at different
points, returning to the aerodrome
within 48 hours; then three direct
flights to different points and return.
1t is only at the front in actual
| warfare, however, that THE airman
can give the finishing touches to his
preparation and show whether he is
equal to the supreme test. Here the
flights may be pre- arranged but can
| not always be carried out according
| to schedule. The pilot must Do ready
i plish tasks with known and unknown
dangers always awaiting him. and
here Is where the American ready in
itiatiye and coolheadedness come out
strong.
None of the Americans has ao-
counted for as many adversaIies as
4 Garros Gilbert, Pegoud, Guynenier. or
II Navarro, but their services are none
the less appreciabIe. Their recon-
tpense and citations in the orders of
formances but, for courage" cool
ness" "audacity,'' presence of mind
and generally excellent qualities as
pilots" and efficient regular work in
bounbarding expeditions
Lieutenant William Thaw, OF Pitts
burgh. earned his stripes by particu-
laF1y good observation work while the
efficiency Of Elliott Cowdin, Of New
| York, has been shown in bombard-
ing expeditions in the course OF which
he has accounted for two German
. machines. earning two citations In the
I orders Of the army and two palms or
the ribbon Of Gads war cross.
Sergeant Norman Prince, of Prfdes
: Crossing. Mass, also earned a cfta-
! ton for carrying out bonbardang mis-.
sfons with g, stubborn disregard fol
German shrapnel. Corporal Vlctos
Chapman, OF New York; Corporal j
"a. Mcconnell, OF Carthage, N. c., and
Sergeant Hall, Of Galveston, Tex.
have seen less service and had less
l.