Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-09-30

But little willie" seemed to be
| wide awake that morning and wasted
no time in turning his plane so that
| his machine-gunner was in position
to fire. Seeing this. our leader
quickly did ight-about-face and
I started back for the lines. 1t was
Just little too much to expect the
Boche not to see him. as his machine
is painted bright red with white
nose and white tail for trimming. A
very beautiful sight. indeed, but not
the best camoufiage in the world.
Air Trip Into Germany
! Anyway, when he turned for home
l let several shots go also and then,
quickly followed for we were some
seven miles in Germany, which is a
very unhealthy distance to meet a
bunch of Tokkers (Boches' new
plane) high overhead. Seeing that
we were in that far though made
me wish l was flying my own plane
armed with the balloon gun, because
one was swinging gently in the
breeze far below, and as Dad would
say, very tempting shot, indeed.
! But with the two guns loadedkwith
solid balls only, it was Sss OF the
question, besides the lieutenant
whose plane 1 was using, did not
want his plane all shot up, so he
jokingly told me anyway. after had
come back from several balloon
hunting expeditions, somewhat pune
tured but none the worse for wear.
Twas well we came back when we
did, because we had no more than
reached the lines when six Tokkers
hove in sight There being only
three of us our leader decided not
to attack, so that ended my morning
| flight Gee! 1t sure felt good to
= spread my wings again, to feel the
wind go roaring past and hear the
hum of the motor as she sang me
up to 5000 meters, for l had been
on the ground all of two days. Real
ly, so good did l feel that I tried
acrobatics when I came home from
the second patrol-but l am getting
ahead of myself.
We went out again in the evening,
the red and white "ace." another
Frenchman, and 1 just about the
time you sit down to supper-6:30
p. m.-when the sun was setting
and the ground somewhat blurred
| by the twilight haze. This haze was
| about 1000 meters thick, spread
over the earth like a black blanket.
Only by looking straight down or
getting the sun at ones back could
one see anything. AS for seeing
anything while facing the sun it was
an impossibility.
/ ought to know, because the lead
er was above me and the only way
could find him was by tipping one
wing down a little so as to cut out
the sun. You can see what an asset
this would be in attacking. Coming
down with the sun at ones back, the
Boche wouldn't see one in a thou
sand years. Nobody knew this bet
ter than our brightly painted leader,
for we kept climbing, always climb
ing into the sun until we had
reached some $500 meters-and still
! going up.
Twilight Air Battle
It was quite a relief at this heigh
with the cool. rare air in direct con-
trast to the terrific heat below, for
it sure has been hot here of late. We
soon discovered four Boches little
lower than us and proceeded to get
the sun at our back before attacking.
We were soon in position and on our
way toward those slick-looking Huns
with their pretty white tails, our red
and white leader tearing along in
front, with me right behind and the
other Frenchman following me. 1t
looked as if we were going to SUR
prise them as we hoped: but the anti
aircraft guns got busy-must have
had a parasol or sunshade on the
field glasses-both French and Ger.
man, and put the Boches wise be-
fore we were within firing distance.
They started the usual merry-go-
round, but we got among them be-
fore it was we'll started and helped
liven it up some for my leader firing
at one and making him start down.
pulled up and turned on another.
| while l being next in line proceeded
to open fire. Only two shots regard
ed my pressure on the triggers and
then the usual jams occurred. Pull
ing out of the dive, / fixed the guns
in time to turn and be in position to
fire at the second Boche my leader
was just leaving.
The guns worked we'll this time.
but the only effect 1 could see on
the Boche was several quick turns.
| find it as hard to hit one of these
lively little Huns as hitting a swal-
low with a rifle bullet You may sit
around the library table and wonder
how in Sam Hill it is I shoot so
many bullets away and never hit
anything. 1 can only say it looks
easier than 1t really is.
After we had drawn off from the
attack we went back on our side and
flew up and down watching for an
opportunity to attack again. But
those Huns were sure the watchful
little boys and kept marching up
and down on their side of the line,
turning whenever we did; In short,
taking good care we did not start an
other surprise party, 1t would have
been amusing If 1t had not been SO
grimly earnest, seeing those two pa
trolls marching up and down. each on