Ripley County democrat., 1917-12-14
CAPTURED 'zEP' IS
A WONDER CRAFT
French and American Officers
Make Thorough Investigation
of Machine.
wheel WOUNDED TO SCENE
Several Hundred Americans, Com
nanded by an Aviation Officer, Are
Learning AlrpIane construc-
tlon In Practical Way.

Field Headquarters Of the Ameri-
can Army In France.-The stray Yep
pelin, Lao, that was downed by the
French near -Bains,
while trying to get back to Its base,
was 600 feet long and the envelope
was 90 feet In diameter.
French and American officers made
a thorough examination Of the great
craft, but the civilians were held
back by ropes that were stretched
around the dirlgible.
The gondolas are connected by q
cleated cock-walk and the whole con-
struction Of the craft was said by
her examiners to be wonderful. The
outer cover is Of delicate texture.
double riveted and soldered. She was
equipped with a wireless outfit.
Gun In Each 0ondoIa.
The machinery is highly compli-
Gated and the driving motors were
equipped with 12 cylinders. There
was a machine gun in each of the
gondolas and the rear one was
equipped with hammocks for the
crew. Apparently, however. the for
ward gondola was fitted up as
cabin for the commander. The lower
portion was painted black and the
upper part a duh gray. On one side
was painted small iron cross
There were no bullet holes visible
in the craft, but the forward gondola
had been wrecked in descent.
1t has already been suggested that
the craft be sent to the Invalides
Palace In Paris.
After inspecting the balloon the
American officers were returning to
town just as the Zeppelln's prison
cred crew was being transported
through the crowded streets.
The commanding lieutenant looked
downhearted and disguised. Another
officer was typical old Prussien
non-com with scar on his nose as
though made by q sword welt. The
men were well built and wore leath-
er jackets.
1t was reported here that another
Zeppelin was captured several lkilo-
meters away when the forward gon-
dola crashed into tree, dumping
part of the crew to the ground. The
Zeppelin. relieved of this load, then
rose, tilted unsteadlly and caught
fire.
The Zeppelin brought down intact
near here carried only incendiary
bombs, apparently for the purpose of
self-destruction IN the event Of cap
ture. All the explosives evidently
had been dropped in England.
The French evidenced the greatest
interest In the prize, and many
wounded were wheeled to the scene
In chairs.
Learn to Make Planes.
Several hundred Americans, COM
manded by an aviation officer, are
learning alrplane construction In
the most practical way possible at
French camp few hours ride
from General Billiards. student avi-
alton school.
French planes of all types wrecked
or damaged at the front are shipped
to this camp and are taken apart
by the Americans under French In
structors. They are learning how to
make repairs and to build new mo-
tors as well. Each student spends
half O day learning the theory of
airplane construction and the other
half IN actual shop practice taking
down motors Of all types and rebuild
ing them.
The French instructors frequently
remove piece of the mechanism and
then ask the American what is miss
ing. Similar instruction is given in
assembling machines. When this
educational training is completed the
men enter the factory, where ma
chimes are built until they are ex-
perts In all lines Of airplane con-
49, "a