American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-05-03
LETTERS FROM POWER
COUNTY SOLDIERS
CONFESSIONS OF A FLYING CADET


The following most interesting let
ter was received from Lieutenant
Kirby Torrance today. For several
weeks his friends have daily searched
the papers to assure themselves that
he was not among. the casualties OF the
training camp. And finding no word
Of him, they have wondered how he
was getting along. and when he would
" rite.
San Antonio, Tex. April 2S.-Every
time the Press comes and reminds me
OF all the folks at home and the many
good things they are doing for the boys
! here and over there in the way of Lib
erty Loans. Red Cross donations. per-
sonal work. and cheering letter. / fee,
/ like writing everybody a word of ap-
probation. It's not hard TO do your
duty when Uncle Sam looks at you
with a stern but kindly eye. puts gun
OF your shoulder and points the way.
but il is hard when he leaves you ar
to do your duty alone without his ever
watchful glance. That's one of the mi
nor reasons why I'm glad I'm in the
army It's not difficult TO do my duty
Perhaps I can partially repay you
by telling about my first three weeks
Of flying here at Kelly field. the largest
flying field in America. where some
thing is doing every minute in the air
and one is never without the ceaseless
hum Of motors and the whine of the
planes as they cut through the air from
morning until night whether in BE-
wind. rain. sunshine. or fog.
l think my first three weeks should
be called Confessions of a Flying Ca
det' for Il the truth is 10 be told il
must be confessed, not eXpOunded. T'l
never forget that first ride. wowie /,
t, My mind retained in its freshness
two fatal crashes of the day before.
When il came my turn TO take the in
itial flight with my instructor I pulled
myself together and in an attitude of
mild recklessness climbed into the rear
seat. fastened my life-belt. adjusted
goggles and helmet. and waited
My instructor turned around smi'-
, ing and said. Ever been up before"
, returned a sickly grin and said
No. first trip
Nothing TO it," he said. Don't
| touch the controls until I signal. Vel
i 90 up Tor a little altitude to accuston
- YOU 70 the air. When l shake the con
; troll stick you are TO let go"
off" said the mechanic at the pro
peler
"Off" replied the pilot
Contact" said the mechanic.
Contact" replied the pilot.
{ Then the mechanic jerked the pro
a peller and We started l thought th'
y wind from the propeller would blow
e me from my seat but it didn't. Ny
n recklessness was superseded by fea
Q and / gripped the cOwl as We left tn
/ ground. Slowly We saised or rathe
b the earth left US. The noise and wine
/. obliterated all sensations except tn
r. ever present fear in my heart. Reason
g soon returned however. and confidence
r in my instructor. for had he not flOwl
n fifteen months without an accident
Z Soon we were up $500 feet flyini
y level. My pilot held up his hand 70
e me to take the stick. l did and W
n dived l pulled back and We went N
g and stalled" The wires quit hum
o ming. the motor stopped. everything
grew still. My pilot turned 10 me an
swore mildly about not keeping level
! Then he kicked the rudder and W
e went over into a spin. l looked bacl
v over my head and saw the groun
e racing by above me. 10 the right. {
the left, and occasionally the horizo