Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-12-25


break out, as We did on this special
night raid.
inat night, after we had crossed the
lines, We lighted our navigation lights
on our side. and everything went ans
until we were ready to land. We had
lighted our Holt landing fare and were
abouta hundred feet from the Ground.
when we hesro, out OF the darkness.
the familiar pat, psf, pat, pat, of a
machine gun, but there was nothing
better to do than take il. and land "a
soon as possible, which we did, and got
| away from the machine as quickly as
| possible, for you see Boche scout had
followed us home and attacked us when
We had our fare lighted aud could not
| extingutsh 1t, and about two minutes
after We were out OF the machine he
cireied over and dropped three daisy
''cutters," we cali them "a twenty-five
pound bomb which has the disagreeable
habit OF bursting laterally and is very
destructive, especially TO hte.) Bat he
did not come very near us, and all the
time the fort near by was setting up
lively harrage, and he then "ouggered
Off"
The night Of August 20 we were flying
in Caproni, and only could make about
seven thousand feet, which was a fairly
easy mark for the west ends batteries at
the lines. We were going to Zebrugge that
night, but were forced to return shortly
after we had crossed the lines, aud do our
best to make decent landing somew here.
We got as far as Fort Mardyck, near Dun
kirk, and we had our difficulties there,
because the Germans were Smelling the
city with the long-range gun from Neu-
port, and from German cruisers out at sea
and from German planes above. To come
down through that and the barrage which
our own batteries had set up was very
confusing, and the trouble was increased
by the fact that the people on the ground
would put out no landing lights for us.
We had our Holt flare lighted, but con-
sidering the confusion and our engines,
which were running badly, it is little
wonder that we dived into the ground
and completely wrecked the machine.
Where The luck came in was that the ma
chine did not catch fire, for we mad landed
with ton of bombs. Luck it is, for
shortly before 1 saw handley fall with
ton of bombs, eaten fire and blow to
kingdom come, ana not man was killed
or even severely hurt.
Well, aside from all the more serious
side OF flying over tue lines at night, it
it was q beautiful sight. The Germans
sent all sorts OF stuff up at US, star shells,
green bIlls, which look like Roman
candies IN series, and coil their way up
into the sky like fiery snake. They are
designed TO illuminate us, and if possible
to set the machines on fire, but l always
believed they helped as more than the
Boone, for they lighted up the ground
wonderfully, and it seemed as though
they invariably sent them up just at the
time when we were ready to drop our
bombs. 1t was at all times great sport to
maneuver out OF the lights, and many
time have burst out laughing to see
the long beams OF light sweep right across
and past US without seeing US, or on other
occasions search around after they had
held us in the lights for a time, and then
lost US. Ii was good game OF hide and
seek.
Twas interested to hear the report OF
the bombing we did on the first trip we
made over the lines from this group
Squadron No. l, U. 5. n. A. FL The in
te.ligence office reports that the bombs
blew up part OF the train that Ludendorh
was on, which had backed into siding
for shelter during the raid. Well, didn't
see the old fellow running for dug out,
nor did even know his train was there,
but if they insist tnat it was, far be 1t
from me to disagree. Now that the war
is over and won, l suppose it does no harm
for them to kid US along.
hope you are well and happy, for am,
| hope shall see you before very long.
Lots of love to you both from
DAVID.
Z. S.-The night the armistice was
signed / was in a celebration that made
me think that Andover had beaten Exeter
about 20 0, and some time will tell you
why have had one of the most interest
ing experiences OF my life during the past
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