The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-07-02
AIRMEN OF ALLIES
LOOK TO AMERICA
British and French Flyers Would
Welcome Aviators From
This Side.
WOULD PROVIDE MACHINES

Believe Service Would Appeal 70
Sporting and Adventurous Spirit
Of Young Men Here-HoW
America Could Help.
British Headquarters in France
Wholly informal but decidedly inter
esting conversations between British
and French flying corps officers as re-
CARDS the possibility Of early Ameri-
can participation in this fascinating
phase Of the war have been going on
behind the lines here. 1t is generally
agreed that, apart from naval activity,
the flying service offers the quickest
opportunity for effective military help
from America against the common foe,
and the expectation is that just as
the aviation branch Of the service
proved so attractive to the young men
of both England and France. the youth
of America will be drawn toward it.
Already plans are making to in
crease the number of Americans now
flying for France, while all the MEM
bers Of the British Royal Flying corps
are ready to welcome and aid in the
training Of Americans in all the arts
of war flying. 1t is realized that the
United States army is not on war
basis regarding machines, but it is uH-
derstood that both the British and
French services are prepared to fur
nish them temporarily, just as these
two services now exchange machines
as necessity demands.
Latest Type in Service.
America, Of course, is expected to
throw her organizing and manufacture
ing ability into. supplying their own
machines to her flyers, but the modern
airplane, with its tremendous power
housed in very compact, very light
engine, with delicate instruments, I'm.
erring balance and sensitive controls.
is an extremely complicated affair and
its construction is a matter Of months
Just now the single seat fighting
scout Is the machine Of the hour. Such
machines must stand the terrific strain
of fighting tactics-rolling, looping
nose-diving, side-slipping. 1t is no un.
usual thing nowadays to see pilot
seemingly fall out Of control 1000 feet
or more and then flatten out and sail
serenely away. The strain of this
maneuver is tremendous.
The correspondent has talked with
many British flying officers Of distinc
ton and all agreed that the only way
to train men for war flying is in &C.
:tual fighting. They frankly say that
in this way many men may be lost, but
that those who survive are worth their
weight in gold.
Officers Of the British Flying corps
say that America must. be prepared
to pay such a price; that she must re
member this when the losses begin tt
mount up. She must understand, they
point out, that out Of these losses will
come men who will reflect glory upon
her colors and lend brilliance to the
brighter pages Of her history.
Work In War the Test.
It is, Of course, possible to train mer
far from the battlefield. They may
become proficient in every trick Of
flying. Their real service, however
only begins after they have pr0vec
themselves lover the line" The Brit
ish have developed brilliant fliers al
the training grounds in England, mer
who have mastered every technical
point of aviation and who stand clear
ly as potential leaders. But each one
of them upon reaching France must b.
attached to a squadron as an ordinary
fighter and win his way upward
through the soul-searching shock Of &C |
tual battle. Some Of these men sue |
cumb, but the survivors more than re
pay the cost.
America, 1t Is said, can render
great service to the allies by sending
over pilots at the earliest possible mo
ment. They can join the British corps
at once, and as they prove themselves
can be reclaimed by America for or
ganizing and training her squadrons as
these become available.
The care and maintenance Of air
planes requires the constant attention
Of skilled men. If America would rem
der an immediate service, according to
the view here, she might send over
5000 flyers, riggers and mechanicians
to take up this branch Of the service
now and learn every phase of the work
Of grooming and handling the delicate
machines.
Their service does not stand still
Almost each day brings changes. II
Is the feeling here that America should
lose no time in getting machines under
way and men in training. The allies
hold the hard fought mastery Of the
air; but they must be in a position
always absolutely to overwhelm the
enemy and keep him on the ground
The youth Of America and Britain, IL
Is thought behind the lines here.
should with their common ideals, COM
mon language, common love of sport
md common courage, skill and daring
ind ideal companionship in this haz.
ardous but romantic war in the air.
Il