Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-12-28

ETC., garages for motor transports
and plane trucks, and officers cars;
so you may imagine that each camp
is quite layout.
Describing his personal experiences
Darby writes:
I am in the 83rd Squadron, just
posted today December 15). In
this squadron, which is higher
training, 1 send wireless from the
air; do bomb dropping, photogra-
ply, ground strips, panneau board
signals, and carry on pre-arranged
shoots with battery-all of which
you will probably not understand,
but l may be able to explain later.
have finished up all the work in
the 81st Squadron and have over
21 solo hours to my credit now.
I did cross-country Wednesday;
went to Hicks, just about 80 miles,
in 20 minutes chad a little wind
with me). I had very unpleasant
experience; while l was circling the
aerodrome at Hicks, preparatory
to landing, a fellow was flying
about 500 feet under me; just tax
ing off, l believe; I was probably
1,500 feet, Just at the corner of
the field, l swerved to right and
left in order TO see him; I had lost
him under my wings, but l failed
to locate him; l spiraled down then,
and as l turned to glide into the
aerodrome l saw the poor fellow
crash and the ambulance and men
running out to it. l thought it was
funny when I lost him so quick, for
was close on top of him. Of
course he was killed, for he dived
down for 1000 feet or more.
1 stayed at Hicks for about half
an hour, then went around Fort
Worth to Everman; at Everman
got filled up with petrol, so on my
way back here, as it is only 10
miles, had little time to kill, so
l went over Camp Bowie at about
5000 feet and did my first Loop
the Loop got away with it fine;
so l thought I'd go over the aero
drome and throw one for the boys,
but this time l didn't get away with
it; got upon my back and fell out
sideways; l recovered, however, be-
fore l lost much altitude.-This
made me a little sore, so 1 went
up again and threw a good one. I've
done several since; only have fallen
out of one more. It's quite some
sensation to be twisting around in
mid-air.
Had been intending to try loop
ing for some time, but the initia
attempt took a good bit of time
to decide on. They encourage
"stunting" in the 81st Squadron
(R. F. c.. Thursday 1 went VI
for altitude but l only got up g.,
600 feet, because my engine wen
bad, so l tried it again Friday ant
got up to $500 feet, not high a
all, but higher than I'd ever beel
before. 1t was quite a clear day
too, so there was a good view
when l was up there l thought
would be a good chance to try tn
famous spinning nose dive, used
great deal at the front to camou
tiage your fall out of control; tn
enemy think they've got you; so
got into one, but pulled her out be
fore l had lost much altitude-Yo
do these initial stunts more or les
"gingerly," believe me! Then
looped a couple of times and trie
to get into another one, but sh
wouldn't go, so l looped again, fel
out and got into one accidentally
It gives one a great deal Of con
fdence after getting in and out o
spins; for a great many men hav
been killed by getting into ther
accidentally and not knowing hoy
to get out. was up for an hou
today; it was cold and misty, S
didn't get anything done; | wa
supposed to take panneau.
Quarantine is still on, but we ca
get weekend passes for any plac
except Fort Worth. We haven
been paid yet for November, so
pass wouldn't do me an awful lot c
good.
Sunday, p. m.
l hardly feel able to add yer
much to this letter tonight; 1 al
feeling terribly lazy. Today ha
been rotten cold, foggy, damp an
misty. Flying was washed out tn
morning, so | tinkered around til
hangar. This afternoon l busie
myself about my quarters, doin
little odd jobs, and took a nap. Hay
just now come from mess and a.
so full l can hardly wiggle. "
have a nice fire and it makes n
sleepy.
L The old Fourth Ohio Regiment. no