Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-07-02
Escadrille NJ. S. p. 156,
Secteur Postal IL,

A1. -. AoVH
Secteur Postal IL,
May 16, 1918.
Dear Mother: Went in swimming
to-day for the first time in France.
Golly! 1t was cold and mosquitoes!
Ye gods The number of them
made me think of New Jersey. You
will get an idea how cold the water
was when l say that the mosquitoes
did not bother me after the first dive.
Afraid to make a landing on me for
fear of frost bitten feet, and good
ness knows they have enough feet
to worry them. Yes, and 1 played
some more tennis to-day, hobnailed
shoes, busted racquet and cement
court Notwithstanding. 1t sure was
hot. and that was where the swim
helped for it was cooling indeed.
Taking it all in all, had quite a
fun day, as 1 flew an hour in the
morning. Not a very satisfactory
fight to be sure but still, l was in
the air and that helped. The whole
business was an experiment all
around, for I asked permission over
the phone to use the plane. The
conversation was carried on in
French, so you will get an idea why
I said experiment as 1t was my first
pour parlant' over the phone.
The plane, you know, did not be-
long to me, but to a Frenchman
on permission, which was why per-
mission to fly 1t was necessary.
Being one of the new Moranes
with two machineguns and a new
motor, 1 was naturally delighted to
climb aboard. AS l ran swiftly along
the ground and into the air. l
was surprised to find I still knew
how to fly, as you know I haven't
flown for over a month. Wondering
if I still knew how to shoot down
we dove at the target, both guns
splitting lead with a crackle and roar
mighty pleasing to the ear. The
other Morane going with me tried
his guns also, but one not working,
landed to have 1t fixed. Not know
ing what was the matter l landed
also, but we both started away again
Immediately tried our guns again,
and finding them working. headed
for the lines.
Mixed Feelings
You can imagine my feelings when
only about miles from camp at
1000 meters, my motor slowly died
down and then stopped dead. Never
having been in this predicament,
guess you can't imagine the pilots
feelings. Mine were considerably
mixed.
First, 1 was sore because couldn't
continue to the lines, and then be-
gan to wonder whether / had enough
altitude to get me back to camp, and
began judging the distance down
and the speed at which 1 was fall
ing with a calculating eye. Re-
member, had no motor, and an air
plane to fly must have speed. Not
having any motive power l was US
ing the law of gravity to keep sum-
cient speed to stay afioat but using
Newton's law necessitates coming
down all the time, and that's what
was worrying me whether the "plste
(camp) would rise up to meet me
before 1 got down. 1t did. and stlll
had some room to spare. so l made
several SIS to prevent overshootlng
the "piste" and landed safely. LOOK
ing over the engine the mechanic
found that a little lever for giving
the motor air had been closed. 1t
being situated near my knee, may
have closed it accidentally, for L did
not even know it was there, being
nv first time in this type of plane.
on Again
Pulling open the lever, We were
soon awing again, but l had used UP
SO much time and essence around
the camp that no sooner had
reached the lines than had to come
home for flying in these little Mo-
ranes is limited only to the amount
of gasoline carried, which Is pas
beaucoup," but we go SO fast that
what we loose in time we make up
in speed.
Our new double-machine gun Mo-
ranes began arriving yesterday, and
now we are only waiting to have
the guns mounted, when we begin
working again. 1 promptly picked
one out and started my mechanic TO
working on it. incidentally, this
same plane has a history, that al
though amusing, might have proved
tragic. 1 was flown here by spe-
ciaI pilot from the Morane factory
(the Captain not letting us fly them
in because going to Paris isn't good
for us-maybe he was right, because
one does lose an awful lot or money
in Paris in a short time) and wnen
he left the field where the machines
were parked he picked up a heavy
rome with his tail skid. Whether he
didn't know 1t, or was afraid of 1t
catching onto something and up
setting him when he landed. l don't
know. Anyway, he continued on
his Journey. 1 saw him pass over
Chaions, being in the town at the
time, standing on his tail, with en-
CINE wide open. pulling this mile
long rome. I thought It was merely
trail of smoke from his engine, and
\ pretty French miss passing just
then. 1 lost interest. But when
got back to the escadrille and saw
the pile of heavy rope that he had
dragged $50 miles. my mouth open
ed in wonder for not only was 1t
half an inch thick. but over a mile
Twas indeed a wonder he didn't
hook one end onto a church steeple
as lie passed over Chalons.
The Hard Part
Speaking about singing. last night
one Frenchman go pretty well
'Iiauored up" and wanted me to
sing a duet with him. Not wishing
any champaign, humored him and