The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-05


close calls"
CHE above is quoted from a letter
written by the late Lieut.. Phil Billiard
of Topeka. who was killed in France
recently 1t was written to Ralph
Montgomery and was dated Third
Aviation instruction Center. France,
June 20"
1t indicates the dangers the heroic
Topeka flyer went thru in carrying
out his duties behind the lines in
France-duties that he accepted so
gracfously when his one deserving
ambition was to fight the Hun in the
air.
shows What Yankees Can Do.
In the letter Phil explained about
having put on a show for some V1sitlns
French generals at the request OF MS
eeznnaander and the following is
quoted from the letter:
stI did my durndest to leave a Cooo
taste in their mouths regarding amer
lean FLYERS Started out by making
1913 consecutive loops, then "a p1r[eis'
10 reyersements, then cut out my mo
tor at 1000 meters and pulled what
We call a falling leaf until l was
within rs meters of the ground. nave
a good kite hidden away in the COZ
ner of my hangar and when places 10
he tested become d DlI SGd1CC L
myself with this one. just in order not
to forget the little 1 know about the
game. for some day 1 hope to get my
chance to get into the real game.
"Flew over the Second Aviation In
struction Center (about an hour from
here by air) a week ago. and met a
chap from Topeka named Mcfarland
and we naturally reviewed quite flu-
emily During our conversation every
one either of US had ever known, in
Guiding Grady and yourself. we're
thoroly discussed.
sI have had a grand time ever since
I came across the lake. First wan
dered around England, then most of
France, then Italy and for the last
seven weeks have been back in France
again and am still doing business at
the same old stand. Up to yet it has
been impossible to move up any closer
to the front, for various reasons,
which the censor would undoubtedly
prefer didn't mention.
His Close Calls.
Unfortunately for me, because OF
the fact that 1 had made several
flights before my enlistment, testers
job was wished on me, shortly after
my return from Italy. and haven't yet
been able to shake away from it. Am
doing my share of the flying and from
this viewpoint it is very. attractive to
me. for 1 still like the sport very,
very IluCus III ldCl every Ody
Was on the main test line only few
days and was then put in charge of
the major repair department. At first
1 had to test only new planes, but
now 1 get only repaired ones that
have been thru crashes serious enough
to sometimes require complete re-
building. 1t is very Interesting, but
at times I get up in a kite that shore
do fly queer and it's a case then OF
wonder and hope-if I'll get the durn
thing back, whole L always have UP
to now, but have had several itchingly
close calls. Am making from twenty
to sometimes fifty flights per day and
then for my weekend parties 1 al
ways take a long trip, by kite, just tc
sort of break the monotony, and keer
in trim. Am located at the largest
flying center in the world, but further
details would surely be stopped by Mr.
Censor.
THE RCtarians have been very gen.
erous about writing to me and their
efforts are greatly appreciated. Mai
is very necessary little matter to
help keep a body9n good humor. espe-
cially when so far away from home
and on such a mission. 1 believe ]
get as munh If not more mail than a
lot of others and it sure helps a lot
Some of us are going to get back
after our little job over here is fms
and only then, when I'm face to face
will I be able. to tell you of some OF
the thrilliIl~r times I've had--if I hap
pen to be one of those fortunate
enough to ret back"