Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-08-09

SIrlke Ine ground DeTOre CROSSING Ille
line, but there was a slight wind in
my favor, and it carried me two miles
behind our lines. There the balloons
1 had gone out to get had the satisfac-,
tion of "pin-pointing" me. Through
the directions which they were able to
give to their artillery they commenced
my machine where it lay.
This particular work is to direct the
fire of their artillery, and they are
used just as the artillery observation
airplanes are. Usually two men are
in each balloon. They ascend
to a height of several thousand feet
about five miles behind their own lines
and are equipped with wireless and
signaling apparatus. They watch the
burst of their own artillery, check up
the position, get the range, and direct
the next shot.
When conditions are favorable they
are able to direct the shots so accu-
rately that it is quick work destroying
the object of their attack. 1t was such
a balloon as this that got my position,
marked me out, called for an artillery
shot. and they commenced shelling my
machine where it lay. If l had got
the two balloons instead of the air
plane, | probably would not have lost
my machine, for he would in all proba-
bility have gone on home and not both
cred about getting my range and caus-
ing the destruction of my machine.
| landed in a part of the country
that was literally covered with shell
holes. Fortunately my machine was
not badly damaged by the forced land
ing. leisurely got out, walked around
it to see what the damage was. and
concluded that it could be easily re-
paired. In fact, ] thought if / could
find space long enough between shell
holes to get a start before leaving the
ground that.I would be able to fly on
from there.
l was still examining my plane and
considering the matter of a few slight
repairs. without any particular thought
for my own safety in that unprotected
NBVls NiiNA a. Ndlllt w
through the air, knocked me to the
ground and landed a few feet away.
1t had no sooner struck than / made
n run for cover and crawled into a
shell hole. / would have liked to get
farther away, but l didn't know where
the next shell would burst, and ]
thought l was fairly safe there, so ]
sQuatted down and let them blaze
away.
The only damage 1 suffered was
from the mud which splattered up in
my face and over my clothes. That
was my introduction to a shell hole
and resolved right there that the in
fantry could have all the shell-hole
fighting they wanted, but it did moi
appeal to me, though they live in then
through many n long night and 1 hat
only sought shelter there for a few
minutes.
After the Germans had completely
demolished my machine and ceased
firing, l waited there a short time
fearing perhaps they might send owe
lucky shot, hoping to get me afte
all. But evidently they concluded
enough shells had been wasted on on
man. / crawled out cautiously, shool
the mud off, and 1 looked over in til
direction where my machine had one
been There wasn't enough left for
decent souvenir, but nevertheless 1 60
a few, "such as they werc," and read
lily observing that nothing could b
done with what was left, / made m
way back to infantry headquarter!
where l was able to telephone in
report.
A little later one of our automc
biles came out after Inc and took IN
back TO our airdrome. Most of m
squadron thought l was lost beyon
doubt, and never expected to see IN
again but my friend, Paul Raney. ha
held out that l was all right, and {
was afterwards told, said, don
send for another pilot; that Irishma
will be back. If he has to walk" Ar
he knew that the only thing that kel
/ me from walking was the fact that OF
, own automobile had been sent out
, bring me home.
5 | had lots to think about that IN
3 and / had learned many things: OF
( was not to have too much confiden
I in my own ability. One Of the men
: the squadron told me that l had b,
ter not take those chances; that
$ was going to be a long war and
o would have plenty of opportunities
r be killed without deliberately "wishi
il them on myself. Later l was to lea
the truth of his statement.
+ That night my "flight''-each suus
+ ron is divided into three flights. &C
# sisting Of six men each-got ready
h go out again. AS l started to put
l my tunic l noticed that 1 was I
e marked up for duty as usual.
IS asked the commanding officer,
Ie major, what the reason for that w
8. and he replied that ne thought 1 h
t done enough for one day. Howev
n l knew that If did not go, someC
re else from another "flight" would hf
W to take my place, and 1 insisted uI
is going up with my patrol as usual, @
10 the major reluctantly consented. L
O. he known what was in store for m,
n am sure he wouldn't have changed
I'd mind so readily.
to AS it was we had only five machi
Ie, for this patrol, anyway, because as
he crossed the lines one of. them had
drop out on account OF motor trou
IT. Our patrol was up at p. M, and
1T to within ten minutes of that hou
nd had been entirely uneventful.
he At 1850 p. m, however, while
We were flying at height of 1900 f
ed we observed three other English
q chimes which were about 5000 :
on below us pick a fight with nine
machines.
It'll l knew right then that we were
nd for it, because l could see over tow
ly, the ocean a whole flock of Hun
on chines which evidently had ese0