Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1917-10-25

CAPTURED
Swift Work Of French FIier
Presents Complete Spec
linen Of ''Baby Killer"

Bourbonne Les Bains, France, Sun
day, Oct. 21.-The Zeppelin LAG,
which came down at Bourbonne Les
Bains, was inspected to-day by the
Associated Press correspondent and
was found to be intact, as were
also the machinery and instruments.
This is the first time during the war
that a Zeppelin has been brought
down complete and an opportunity
was given to a number of American
officers to inspect the craft. They,
together with French flying men,
spent many hours in gaining knowl-
edge which heretofore has been jeal-
ously protected by the Germans.
The machine was driven down
with her nose resting on the edge of
the main road and the stern in the
pine trees on hill. Fully half of the
craft lay across little valley thirty
feet from the ground. So quickly did
the aviator who was responsible for
the landing of the airship land, that
the Germans had no opportunity to do
damage. The only visible break in
the structure consisted of tears in the
outer skin caused by the trees.
When the commander, who with
the crew, remained under guard of
French soldiers to-day, saw that il
was impossible to save his ship, he
destroyed the wireless apparatus and
unsuccessfuly attempted to destroy
the airship by firing his pistol at it.
The whole body of the Zeppelin is
painted black except the top, which
is silvered. There is small German
cross on either side amidsbip. II
floated the German naval ensign.
The two officers and nineteen men
who were taken prisoners, were re-
moved from the jail to-day. They
were the center Of large crowd o.
residents of the French countryside,
who, dressed in their best, walked,
drove or rode for miles around to see
the German airship and the prisoners.
The Americans were cheered by the
crowds who pointed of the disconso-
late Germans, who were dressed
and in addition wore hair helmets and
felt boots.
The commanders arm was in q
sling, as he had been injured in land.
ing. He seemed especially down
cast, for the loss of a complete Zeppe-
lin to the enemy is a serious offense.
The airmen, on the other hand,
grinned now and then and seemed
greatly surprised at seeing the Amer
lean officers.
These officers had an opportunity
TO talk with some of the airmen and
with the French youth, who like a
hawk flew over the Zeppelin, pouring
bullets from his machine guns into it,
puncturing the gas containers and
forcing the craft to land. They talked
also with the Zeppelin commander,
a slight second lieutenant, who spoke
excellent English. He said he had
flown over England and dropped all
of his bombs, and when his craft was
attacked and damaged he thought he
was descending in Holland.
The French aviator told the officers
thrilling story of the fight, how he
flew in pursuit of the Zeppelin to such
altitude that his cheeks froze, and
how he had succeeded finally in fore
ing the craft down with his machine
gun. When he saw that it was bound
to land, he dived to the earth. Other
French aviators landed nearby. At
the point of a pistol, the Germans
were prevented from damaging the
,raft and were traken prisoners. In
;endiary bombs which had been
placed under the airship were re-
moved.
Among the articles taken from the
irship to-day were medical supplies,
guns, oxygen tanks for use
t high attitudes, fire extinguishers, L
n electric stove, gas masks, para
hutes and fur coats. l.