Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-04

headlong to the earth and the. other
waited for no more but hurried off for
home with us hot on his trail. /
couldn't catch him though, and the
anti-air craft gunners on the ground
saw his plight and turned their guns
on me. and, as they began to put them
a bit too close for comfort, gave up
the chase and went on with my origi-
nal task, which l finished.
"Just at present the people Of Eng
land are doing considerable worrying
because our flying corps casualties Of
late has been rather heavy. They
seem to think the Huns are getting
the advantage of us in better ma
chimes. They don't seem to consider
that for every Hun machine that
crosses our lines dozen Of ours
cross theirs. In fact, have yet to see
a Hun attack one of our machines on
our side. They try to get US alone on
must say that they have succeeded in
doing for several Of our boys in this
way. But as long as they continue to
show that wholesome respect that they
show at present, we don't fear them
individually and we know we have the
upper hand Of any single Hun. We
know we have only to keep our eyes
open and not let them approach from
behind unnoticed."
A Favorite Maneuver.
Young Goodrich says this maneuver
is favorite of the German airmen,
and questions Of the craftsmanship of
it. He says, rather bitterly:
while the pilot is busy navigating,
and the attention of the observer is
riveted on the ground beneath, this
brave Germans dives from above and
behind and tries to kill them before
they know he is anywhere near, and
can train their guns upon him. On the
instant, however, he realizes he Is
seen, he wheels off and makes for the
safety of his own aerodrome. like
frightened rabbit. We are wise to his
little game now and we will get him
one of these days, mark me-
One German airman, the Halloween
boy declares. has earned all his fame
in this war by his cleverness in this
"out -f1anking' movement, and this
man is the particular one Goodrich is
anxious to meet at close quarters. or
him the British airnan says:
Il was out day or two ago and
tried to lead him into thinking we
hadn't sen him, and kept on but ready
to turn and met him, but he suspected
us and would not come closer, so
turned to chase him and you should
have seen him go, the brave boy.
Goodrich declares the German ma
chimes are much faster than the En-
tente Allies: consequently, it is futile
to chase them.
He gives an interesting sketch OF
visit by automobile tC a site where
big gun is pounding away at the Ger
man defenses, and says he enjoyed be-
ing again near the scene of real action
the trenches.
He closes his letter with descrlp-
ton of the clock which he is having
made from his smashed aeroplane pro
pellor and encloses sketch, giving
an idea Of how it will look when mn
ished. He hopes to send it within
week or two when he expects TO Vlslt
England on a short leave Of absence.
The letter is written on the official
stationery of the Flying Corps. In the
upper left hand corner Of each sheet Is
an embossed design with crown
above two wings, between which are
the letters, r. f. c." and. underneath,
tha Latin. phrase, Per ardua ad
Astra." (By difficulties to Heaven)