Middletown transcript., 1918-09-14
AMERICAN FLYERS
STORY Of ESCAPE
Took French Leave Of His
German Guard.
WALKED A HUNDRED MILES
Unusual Experience OF Lieut.. ThomaA
Hitchcock, Jr., OF The Lafayette
Flying corps-Treatment In
German Hospital.

Paris.-Lieut. Thos. Hitchcock, Jr~
of Westbury, N. Y, the youthful mem.
Der of the Lafayette Flying Corps,
who was captured by the Germans
some time ago, but escaped and
reached Switzerland, August rs. de.
scribed his experience while a captive
and his fight to neutral territory,
which was accomplished through
evading his guard on train. The
guard was taking nap at the time.
Hitchcock was forced to walk more
than a hundred miles. This he did
in eight consecutive nights, hiding
during the day time. He lived on the
food he had saved from his meager
rations in the prison camp. He was
entirely ignorant of the country
through which he passed. but guided
himself by a small pocket compass.
On the eighth day of his tramp he
found himself in a small village. He
inquired of a small girl whether he
was in Switzerland and, being told
that he was. he made his way direct
to Berne. where he arrived August 80
Hitchcock was captured March 6,
when he was forced to land after an
aerial combat with three German ina
chimes. He was wounded In the thigh
and his machine became disabled at an
altitude of thousand meters, but he
co1, hA
German line. He was Immediately
seized by several Germans and taken
to dressing station. From there he
was sent to hospital at st. Arnold
Later he was transferred to Saar-
brucken.
1t took two months for the wound
in Hitchcock's leg to heal. He said
he was not maltreated by the Ger
mans, but that there was plenty OF
suffering among the prisoners, who
were barely existing. He said he had
been saved by the arrival of packages
containing food from France.
After landing inside the German
lines" said Hitchcock. Il tainted
twice. The second time l did not
come to nay senses until had reached
the dressing station. In the hospital
l received fair treatment only. There
was one doctor for the $50 patients
and the food was not very good.
II escaped while being transported
with two other Americans from Lach-
field to Rastadt. There was one Ger.
man guard for the three of US.
while the train stopped at sta
ton near Ulm the guard fell into a
dose. I snatched the railway map
which was near him and also my
money. We were not allowed to
handle our money.
presently the guard awoke and
missed the money. Picking up my
package of food which had been saved
behind, l rushed out of the door op.
posite, and ran as fast as possible
away from the railroad track. Tie
guard yelled after me, but knew he
could not follow because of the two
other prisoners he had in charge.
II then slowed down and began to
walk toward the frontier. During the
day time l always hid in the woods
and at night evaded towns and vii
lagos, walking around them. l was
always on a close watch for the Ger.
mans. for l was in the uniform of a
French aviator. Most of the territory
l traversed was farming land, with
the people working during the day
When they left the field in the even
ing would begin my tramp
II made excellent progress, except
now and then when l encountered
marshes, fences and hedges. l slep,
during the day time, after having
made sure of the safety of my sleep
ing place.
Arriving at what l thought was
the Swiss frontier. l watched for
traps such as electrically charged
wires and automatic signals. Appar
emily, evaded all such things.
Zone morning felt sure that I was
in Switzerland, but before inquiring
added a few extra miles to my
tramp and found myself in little
village. There l asked a girl who
spoke French. where l was. She said
was in Switzerland, and then I knew
was safe"