The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-05
.SQUADRONS START
GERMANu|NES
IS STIRRING SIGHT

WITH AMERICAN AVIATORS IN
FRANCE. Nov. s. Correspondence Of
the Associated Press. THE start OF
an American bombing squadron on a
raid into German territory is a spec
tacle to stir the enthusiasm Of an
American and inspire him with an APP
probation OF Americas growing
strength in the air.
The squadron already had been over
the German lines twice that day with
fair success and the aviators lounged
In shady spots, jibing n another or
Idly commenting, upon the eyolutions
OF practice airplanes overhead, when
the correspondent Of the Associated
Press visited the flying field.
Out of a concealed n camouflaged
office hut there stepped suddenly the
flight leader, Lieut.. Gunderlach, who
already had been named In the Off
cial American communique for proWess
in the air.
The aviators sprang to their feet
and gathered around their leader for
final instructions. He had not been
at all satisfied with the two perform
ances Of the day. They had shown a
tendency to struggle overmuch and had
not kept sufficiently punched"
Hot criticism poured from his lips
and the youngsters were silent In en-
barrassment. The leader did not spare
them, but iterated and reiterated that
the formation is the thing. the squad.
yon is the thing" and, finally. God
lip n s~traggler,
Then, the ordeal over, the aviators
went silently to their quarters for their
great, heavy, Arctic clothing. In the
turn of a hand they were back on the
field, swathing and %swaddling them
selves to the eyes. tuoking chocolate
into their pockets (for they get hungry
up in the air. or breaking open a fresh
to alleviate nervousness and which has
a ~steadying effect.
The last machine gun had been test
ed, the last propeller had been twirled
until it revolved at lightning speed,
The commander gave an almost imper-
ceptible wave of his hand.
Airplane No. !, bearing the flight
leader, threw off its restraining me-
chanics and swept in a big curve across
the field, taking clImsily across
the field with it's weight OF bombs to
a position from which It could rise at
the head of the group.
One by one the others followed suit,
taking up position just behind and to
the right and left Of the leader until
they were spread out like a huge covey
Of ungainly but marvelously colored
birds. AS they waited they tossed out
rockets WHICH, despite the DrllllAn sun
light. flared n binding red and white.
The test was complete. They were
ready for the start.
Again the commander gave a signal.
The noise of the motors rose to deaf
ening proportions. The great covey be-
gan to move, gained speed as they
sped northward across the field. then
one after another took off" the ground.
All the clumsiness of the "taxi-ing''
was gone. The machines had become
graceful birds, in fact,
Swiftly they rose, while still within
sight, to a great height, looking for
all the world like a flock Of geese with
the leader at the neck Of the forma-
ton. Later on. when about to cross
the line, they would draw closer to-
gether into a compact, tightly knit
group, but always following, whether
to left or right, the two little white
pennants streaming out from the lead
er's machine.