Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-02-10
BALLOON men
REACH POINT
ON ATLANTIC
Two Companies Of Fort Omaha
Flyers Arrive Safely at Sea-
port on First Lap
Of Trip. -. -

The Eleventh and Twelfth balloon
companies, formerly the Fourth
squadron, stationed at Fort Omaha,
have arrived safely at an Atlantic
seaport and may be on sllipboard en-
route for France.
Wednesday they quietly entered
street cars at the fort and were taken
to the Union station, where two spe-
cial trains awaited to carry them
east.
Fifteen minutes after the arrival of
the men at the station the trains de-
parted and as they passed over the
Missouri river bridge the strains of
Were Going Over" were heard
floating back. The soldiers were
happy.
Cooks Preceded Men.
At daybreak heavily loaded trucks
began transferring equipment and
personal belongings from the fort to
the trains and at the appointed hour
all was in readiness. Company cooks
were early upon the ground and had
field ranges set up in the baggage cars
and at the hour of departure dinner
was being prepared. Efficiency was
demonstrated in every move.
The balloon men were anxious to
see active service, and as they bade
their friends farewell 1t was with ex-
pressed hopes that thy would soon
be at the trent. Many expressions
were heard of how the barrage fire of
the American troops would be i'm
proved when they reached France to
direct it.
Mothers, fathers, wives and sweet
hearts of the Omaha men in the COM
panies were at the station to wish
them bon voyage. Many Of them
were hiding tears behind smiles as
they watched their loved ones 60 off
into the mist-the mist of war, Of
danger, of doubt.
Citizens Cheer Soldiers.
| Passengers at the station and on
passing trains were profuse in their
we'll wishes and frequently various
groups would cheer as the men passed
by.
These men were the nearest
physically perfect of any that have
left the FORT" said Colonel Hersey,
commandant. They were the best
testimonial l know of for Omaha as
a winter resort. For the last two
months all of these men have lived in
tents and a few days before leaving
was informed by one OF the officers
that for two weeks previous none Of
the men had visited the doctors. They
did not evenhave a cold or any minor
ailmcnt that doctor could remedy.
They were in unusual good health
and | am firmly convinced that this
was largely due to the fact that they
slept in tents where there was plenty
of fresh air. They remained in the
tents all of the time, evcl when the
temperature was around 20 degrees
below sero."
Colonel Hersey Pleased.
Colonel Hersey is highly pleased
with the training of the men during
the winter months. He expressed sur-
prise that as many days would prove
suitable for flying during the months
OF December and January. The big
sausage observation balloons made
flights l9 days in December and in
January flights were made III p days.
The two companies were under the
command OF Major Hardin. The COM
pany commanders were lieutenants
acting as captains until the troops
1reach the battle front. Captains will
be appointed after the troops have
reached France and all opportunity is
given to select the men best suited Tor
this position in actual warfare.