Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-09-08

coming modesty but when draw
out" reveal. through implication,
surprising lack Of self-hansd and
remarkable appreciation Of their abil
tiles and courage. And yet we for
give those things in man who ha'
achieved TO daring and unusua
heights OF bravery.
Eddie Riekenbacker--the man o
this story--is distinctly disappoint
ing in the role. The record OF hi
newest achievement, and daring as at
aviator is we'll under way. but hi:
letters from France--the only avail
able gauge--to H. c. Bradheid, his
ex-manager and bosom friend, are
devoid OF even the rcmotest sugges'
ton OF ego, which his work over the
American sectors would well Justify
In its place is only the happy en-
thusiasm that characterizes the youth
of this fighting country.
The letters to his beloved Brad
are for the most part empty Of things
OF war and flying warfare, They
want to know how Bill Pickens is
getting along How is
George This, and what is Jack That
doingf He asks about Ralph De
Palma and Barney Oldheld, but most
Of himself is a missing quantity in
his correspondence.
With Pershing.
II was most discouraging. But
mining carefully, one found an oc-
casional nugget.
Before Verdun, while he was yet
with General Pershing as personal
driver for that officer. he wrote:
II bad the rare opportunity to be
with him on his inspection OF the
different sectors OF the front, from
Verdun TO Switzerland. We could
see the entire artillery preparations,
as we were just two and one-half
miles from the front-line trenches.
We were continually in danger OF
being shelled by the Germans. We
remained there until one o'clock Sat-
urday night, when the boys went over
the top. Words are really INSULT
cient to express the horrors of the
whole affair; that thunder
ng, the damage from the shells. Pm
only from the point of view
Of one who has witnessed it. Imag-
ne the feelings of those participating.
I Is beyond human conception.
AS we came to Rheims we stopped
Q visit the worlds famous cathedral.
Through the courtesy of~the bishop
We were guided through the entire
obstruction. Even as we were there,
shell which had failed to explode
vas unearthed from beneath the
loor. 1t was 3s0-mm. she'll.
Shells Expected.
I'VE were told that the Germans
vere expected to shell the cathedral
very day at o'clock. Everybody
,oked at his watch. II was then
40. ] don't think you have to
Iretch your imagination any to real
e what my speed was for the next
venty minutes. | had time enough
accept some pieces of glass from
le shattered windows and have en-
osed piece. 1t will make a
honorable souvenir If made into a
ng. If possible | will send you a
erman helmet and cap"
In the same letter he voiced keen
ABSTRACTION in his appointment to the
section, his pilots license
nd his commission as first lieuten-
Mt, stating that he was working
cry hard to equal the honor"
On flying, observation and enemy
lane hunting he wrote: Believe
le, Bard, it is great sport. Have
cen flying with a Baby Newport for
lie last three weeks and can do the
OPP he-loop, ninety-degree turns,
,irals, taispins and land very we'll.
lying is far more fascinating than
on the ground. / can
'ok down on old Mother Earth
'om far above with Mr.. Moon man.
Gets Fighting Plane.
Early in April the embryo ace, in
is typical. joyful way, told that he
ad at last been presented with his
lghting plane. No grim purpose or
eroic pose pervades his letter of that
ime.
He writes, in his simple way, az
m just as happy as can be. | am in
pursuit squadron as a pursuit pilot,
With pretty Baby Newport, which
las about l3S miles per hour under
Ter bonnet. Made a trip the other
lay with the wind behind me and
overed distance of eighty miles at
IN average of over $50 miles per
Jour-" And concludes, with his re-
reshing exuberance, ooh, boy! It's
he life"
Rickenbacker never possessed that
quality properly attributed to MANY
,.acing drivers in the sobriquet "dare-
ievil." Rccklessness, the lucky star,
vas too unstable satellite for him.
It was too much the symbol of the
gambler. When he drove, the eff
,iency born of experience, GOODNESS
and a sort OF flexible steel nerve
which bent to suit any emergency
we're always present, always at his
Instant command.
Has Quick Judgment.
He Is quick to accept unalterabie
circumstances and in such crises
never loses poise. His judgment at
hose moments merely pulls on its
'even-league boots and leaps to his
lid.
This same capacity for instantly
Judging, for determining in a sec
ond's fraction what must be done.
will make him one of tine wars great
est pilots. It win bring him forth
'riumphantly safe in combat against
enemy odds. Indeed il has already
done so, for the press dispatches,
which have Landed his work, prove
that he has applied it to his lofty en-
deavors against the boche.
Shortly before leaving the French
sector for the American lines he
mentioned an unusual experience a
few days ago while flying over Ger
m arxr xx,ha. tba,.