South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-21

WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES
~ FRANCE. March .o.-'In the
early part OF the night before the
mist set in our night-hying squad
rons dropped Eve tons OF bombs on
TWO hostile Official
COmmunique
A most prosaic statement and one
from which the average reader
would fail 20 get much thrill. "Our
night flying squadrons dropped I'VE
tons or bombs" A mere common
place: an incident in the daily rOu-
tine. So far as color goes 10 misht
have read: "Our motor transport
brought up FIVE tons Of biscuits"
AMI yet behind that brief an
Eouncement shorn OF all heroics,
and behind every similar announce
ment. lies wealth Of supreme dar-
ing, OF dangers, cen and unseen. Of
breadth - escapes and nerve
rack.ng episodes.
The correspondent Of The ASCOT
ated Press witnessed the start and
the return OF the airmen who drop
ped five tons OF bombs" and the
story OF this very ordinary night
may serve 20 give the reader some
idea OF the daily life OF the airman
who. as it we're, continually battles
on the edge OF a precipice while the
many hands OF war reach out 10
drag him down.
We arrived at a great British
aerodrome just as the evening
shades were falling and the me-
chanics were making their final in
spection OF the huge bombing ma
chimes which shortly were TO wheel
their way across the lighting lines
with their freight Of explosives.
some day-hyers were returning from
their trips. winging their way
straight and true towards the aero
drome from all directions like
mighty homing pigeons. A few pi-
lots were circling in picturesque
curves above the grounds, and Oc-
casionally swooping down in light
ming charges towards stationary tar
gets while their machine guns spat
a steady stream Of livid fire TO the
accompaniment of that wicked STAG
cato chatter which spells one OF the
greatest terrors OF the front.
Twelve Machines Engaged.
The night-flyers were 20 go out as
soon as darkness had settled, and we
found them ali in the mess hall over
their early dinners. Twelve ma
chimes were to engage in the raid
in hand. which meant that "a Of
these cleaa-cut boys would soon be
risking their lives over the inhOspit-
able zone where the Germans watch
and wait for the appearance Of
enemy aircraft.
We joined them at mess and lis
tened 10 ter conversation. 1t gave
one a sensation OF witnessing a
drama which could have no basis in
fact. to look into their youthful
faces with the realization that with
In a short space they might be call
ed upon TO pay the great price in
defense Of king and country.
They were not discussing the raid
In fact. they seemed 10 be avoiding
IT, Their talk was largely made up
of inconsequential chaf. and it
seemed at moments that there was
just a suspicion Of nerves in their
outbursts Of laughter. From time 70
time some one Of them would fall
into silence and thoughtfulness.
only TO be recalled from his reverie
by the quip Of a comrade. They
watched one another like brothers
and we wondered if there were not
some method in this bandiage of
jests. but we asked no questions.
a table just hack OF the CORES
pondent was filled with "A jolly par
~. A newcomer came in and took
his seat. "A big. broadshouldered
chap with clear eyes and engaging
smile He was the pilot OF one OF
the raiding machines. He was
pounced upon Immediately.
Your family is very wealthy. we
hear. Yank."
Wealthy: / should say il was.
doomed a great voice. II don't work
because / have 10. I'm doing this
because / like il"
American In Raid.
The speaker was a Boston boy
who had been flying with the Brit
ish since 1916. A few minutes later
he crossed and touched the cores
pondent on the shoulder
Come over 70 our table and we
viii nh YOU up on local color and
champagne" he invited.
There was local color, and cham