Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-10
GERMAN AV|ATORS
FLY INTO PERSIA
Natives ,Awestruck at Sight of
Aeroplanes Sailing Over
Russian Lines.
EFFECTIVE WORK Is DONE
Airmen Find Conditions Entirely
Different From Those on
Other Fronts.
EFFECTIVE WORK is DONE

TU KISH HEADQUARTERS IN
MESOPOTAMIA. December o.--I.ikc the
Neld-gray soldiers. the German avi-
ators have seen good deal OF the
world in the present terrible war. The
German flyers sent to the aid of the
Turkish army In Mcsopotainia have
penetrated far into Persia, and arc the
only airmen ever seen in this far
off country.
These aviators did splendid service
in the campaign on the Tigris. After
Kut-el-Amara had been reconquered
from the British. they returned TO
Bagdad and later were scut to the
Persian frontier to assist the Turkish
counteroffensive against the Russians
In this thcatcr Of war.
In their effort to push south and
effect junction with tho English
forces held before Kut the Russians
had reached the border city. Hankin.
ll2 miles north of Bagdad. and they
were seriously threatening the Turkish
communications. To drive them back
offensive operations on large scale
were necessary. but the Turkish adj
vance DroSed extremely difficult. be-
cause The strength and the positions
OF the Russian forces were not def
nitcly known.
FLY INTO ANCIENT
WONDERLAND OF PERSIA
This handicap. however. was quickly
removed when the German aviators
arrived and flew far into the ancient
wonderland of Persia. The natives
were aweatruck when they saw the
giant steel birds sailing boldly over
the Russian lines with the speed Of
lightning.
AT first the airmen had many un-
pleasant surprises. They found the
Hight conditions far different from
those on the other fronts because they
and their machines were not adapted
to tho tropical heat and thin air Of
Persia. Motor defects and Other dis
agreeable incidents occurred con-
Stantly, but the thoroughly trained
German mechanics who accompanied
the aviation corps, mastered all difficult
ties. The nerop!an"s were rebuilt and
hnally. after tho necessary materials
had arrived. new ones were constructed
on the spot.
within u short time the aviators as
ccrtained the location and strength Of
every Russian position between Han
Kin and kasr-i- Shirin. the famous ma
eicians' castle OF the ARABIAN Nights"
The Russians wcr. put TO flight by
frontal attacks. but tho Turkish cav
airy could not keep in touch with tn.
rctrcating enemy. who found innumer-
able hiding places in the gorecs Of tn.
difficult wild mountain region.
DIRECT OPERATIONS
or TURKISH TROOPS
Again the German airmen came 10
the rescue. Flying over the snow
covered mountains, they located the
Russians and directed the operations
of the Turkish troops The enemy was
chased out OF every hiding place in
which he attempted TO make new
stand. and his retreat became a rout
The Russians believed themselves in
safety after they retrcated through the
Paital Pass and reached the plateau
OF kerind, nearly 1000 feet above the
sea level. but TO their amazcment the
German acroDlancs hunted them even
here. Five aviators made their way
up between the icc-covcrcd peaks OF
the mountains. and early In the morn
ing appeared over the inapproa cpa bic
plateau Two days later the Phitak
Pass, which had been believed uncon-
duerable. was stormcd by the Turkish
troops.
After the capture Of the plateau OF
kcrinG. the strongest strategic posi-
ton OF the Russians. the aviators eN-
tended their flights still further into
Persia. and their work enabled the
Turkish forces TO keep up the pursuit
of the enemy. Soon Kcrmanshah the
crossing point of six OF the ancient
caravan routes was reached and made
the Headquarters OF the flying corps.
y few weeks later the Turks con-
Juered IIamadan. 235 miles from the
5gOordcr of Mesopotamia, while at the
same time they advanced in a north
casterly direction to Sultanabad. east
Of Lake Grumiah.
From Hamadan the German airmcn
few over the whole northeastern part
Of Persia. They repeatedly approached
the Caspian Sea and Tchcran, and have
the field all 10 themselves. because
there are no Russian aviators to op-
pose them.