The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-08-01
filters TO
FIGHT INFANTRY.
British Instructors Praise
KeennesS of the Ameri-
can AviatOrS.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN
ENGLAND. July 20 Correspondence
Of The Associated Press Almost
every airplane used by the Allies
soon will carry bombs. Experts in
aerial warfare are convinced that the
general efficiency OF the corps will be
increased II bombing device is add
ed 10 every plane sent out. even
though it be Of the type once intend
ed only for reconnaissance work. and
Americans now training in England
are being as carefully drilled in
bombing as in handling a machine
gun.
Lessons learned during the Iesis-
lance offered in the recent offensive
have served 10 increase the already
high regard OF both British and
American officers in the air service
for the low flying, bomb carrying
craft. and, over the camps and coun-
tryside where ayiators are being
trained planes are in evidence almost
every hour dipping down firm high
in the air and skimming the nearby
country. barely missing treetOps and
houses. II is the newer lesson they
are learning. and observers back
from the front where the Allied planes
did such remarkable work not only
in scouting and distraCtng the en-
envy. but actually in breaking up for
nations and at points checking the
onward movement have urged con
centrltion on that form OF training.
British trainers. detailed to AmeTi-
can aviation camps. have been liberal
in their praise of the new fliers from
overseas, their only criticism being
that the Americans are "a bit too
keen" Their tendency has been TO
20 in for flying stunts rather too
early in training. but even this the
trainers have admitted is a valuable
fault. although one not to be en-
cOuraEcd.
II has been pointed out to the
Americans that team work as well as
Individual efficiency is a prime requi-
site. and the Americans have stead
led themselves TO the routine their
trainers have found makes for gen
eral Advancement II not for indi-
vidual applause. Fancy flying. the
acrobatic work that once found favor
and drew heavy gate receipts at
aerial exhibitions in the United
States. still is taught. but the learn
ing of that form OF flying has come
TO be regarded merely as routine and
wholly incident to the steady, low
hying desirable for attacking camps
and troops in formation.
2 Accidents have occurred In the
camps where the Americans are being
trained. and a few men have been
killed, but the records show that the
percentage is far less in England
/ than in the United States. Those in
training here are inclined to attribute
| the difference more to luck than to
anything else. although there also is
pointed out the probability that the
average airplanc used in England is
a better made machine than the
average that has been used In the
United States.
The bombing devices being attach
q ed to virtually every plane is not the
contriyance that was used in the
earlier days of the war. That used
then was little more than a mechan-
ism that released the projectilc. al
lowing it TO fall at point approXi-
( mately near the target The device
now being ed is one with which the
operator may with much practice be
come almost as proficient in marks
manship as an artilleryman is with
his gun. Almost every light plane
will carry bombs Of at least 20
pounds. and from the heavier types
there will be hurled the huge con-
tainers of high explosives not mater
tally different from those used by the
Germans in some of the more recent
| raids