The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-11-19
CAPTURED Yep IS
A WONDER CRAFT
French and American Officers
Make Thorough Investigation
of Machine.
WHEEL WOUNDED TO SCENE
Several Hundred Americans, Com
manded by an Aviation Officer, Are
Learning AirpIane Construc-
ton 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
I was 60 feet in diameter.
French and American officers made
| thorough examination of the great
craft, but the civilians were held
back by ropes that were stretched
around the dirigible.
The gondolas are connected by a
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 wireless outfit.
Gun in Each GondoIa.
The machinery is highly compli-
Gated and the driving motors were
equipped with - cylinders. There
was 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 Il dull gray. On one side
was painted a small iron cross.
There were no bullet holes visible
in the craft, but the forward gOndola
ho6 -,
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 Zeppelin's prison
cred crew was being transported
through the crowded streets.
The commanding lieutenant looked
downhearted and disguised. Another
officer was a typical old Prussian
non-com with a scar on his nose as
though made by sword welt. The
men were well built and wore leath-
or jackets.
1t was reported here that another
Zeppelin was captured several kilo-
meters away when the forward gOn-
lola crashed into q tree. dumping
part of the crew to the ground. The
Zeppelin, relieved of this load, then
'ose, tilted unsteadily and caught !
ire.
The Zeppelin brought down intact |
lear here carried only incendiary
combs, apparently for the purpose of
elf-destruction in the event Of cup
ure. All the explosives evidently
lad been dropped in England
The French evidenced the greatest
interest in the prize, and many
q chairs.
Learn to Make Planes.
Several hundred Americans, COM
handed by an aviation officer, are
afrpIane construction in
he most practical way possible at
French camp a few hours ride
'Om General Billiards. student avi-
ton school. +.
French planes of all types wrecked
. damaged at the front are shipped
, this camp and are taken apart
Y the Americans under French in
ructors. They are learning how to
AXE repairs and to build new mo-
RS as well. Each student spends
alf day learning the theory Of
rplane construction and the other
ilf in actual shop practice taking
'wn motors of all types and rebuild
g them.
The French instructors frequently
move piece of the mechanism and
en- ask the American what is miss
g. Similar instruction is given in. l
sembling machines. When this
ucational training is completed the
en- enter the factory, where ma :
ines are built until they are ex-
rts in all lines of airplane con- Il
ruction and repair. S