The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-12
Fighting in the Air

James H. Hare in Leslie's.
 The night before last I saw in the distance to the northwest of SalonIKl, as the sun was sinking, two aeroplanes ex- ecuting some very exciting maneuvers, among other things, looping the loop. As this was in very sparsely populated section, away from any enthusiastic crowd, I was impressed with the enthusi- asm of the aviators. in performing such daring feats with no spectators to be thrilled Yesterday on visiting the French aviation camp the captain in charge told me that he had been engaged in fight with a "Bosche'' the previous evening and that he had fired at him with a mitrailleuse and while he did not succeed in bringing him down, yet believed he had hit him. On comparing notes as to time and place, discovered that the two planes that I had seen cavorting in what looked like a friendly game were i; readily two aviators in fierce fight each one trying to get position which would enable him to destroy the other
 And so you have permission to make flight with us,'' said the captain. "Too bad it's such windy day. Still if you are willing we will take you up." A short time ago I should have considered anybody foolhardy to attempt to fly with the wind blowing from S5 to 40 miles an hour but today with the improvement in the speed and power of the engine it is very different story. They told me that it was quite safe today, if reason able care was used, yet in the next breath also said that out of corps of 5000 men, 15GO had been killed. Last Septen- Der they told me in Paris that they were turning out new air pilots at the rate of 100 a month. Certainly, you may make photographs from the plane; that is, if you can hold the camera steady enough, V and that seemed improbable, although
 . : o1yo ,ft 1r,f Vn11 Y,1y1c ct wear casque as that is one of the inlpera tive orderst of the aviation com manders With that exception you can dress as you like.
 After the assistants had wheeled the machine around into position against the wind, the pilot leaned forward and shout ed to me in French, Shall we go?" evil dently giving me an opportunity to change my mind if T. desired to. As I have made upwards of 40 flights in vari- ous makes and styles of planes had no hesitat tion,s so I nodded affirmatively. and immediately the engine increased it's volume of speed and as it roared and sputtered amused myself by leaning over the side and watching the wheels of the chassis revolving as they raced over the ground and, counting the sec onds, discovered that in exactly 10 sec onds they had left the ground and we were in the air. I leaned over little bit to make photograph of the road beneath us, with it's transports trundling along, when the aeroplane gave sudden dip. I thought the pilot had done it pur- posely for joke, but my friends, John T. TIcCutcheon and w G. Shepherd. told me afterwards that as they watched us they saw the aeroplane make many sud- den dips. The captain. who was also watching. remarked the cross currents were very strong and that caused the aeroplane to fall as 1t met holes in the air. In point of fact I was surprised at the steadiness of the machine side- ways, notwithstanding the strength of the wind blowing. It hardly lurched at all and this was easily the steadiest flight I have ever experienced.