Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-10-24
AMERICANS GOING RAPIDLY TOWARD
 HUNS BORDERS

With American Aviators In France. Oc:. 23.-The start of an American bombing squadron on a raid into German territory is a spectacle to stir the enthusiasm of an American and inspire him with an apprecia- tiop of Americas growing strength ill the air.
 The squadron had already been over the German lines twice that day with fair success and the avia- tors lounged in shady state jibing one another or idly commenting upon the evolutions of practicing airplanes overhead, when the correspondent of The Associated Press visited the flying field.
 flnged office hut there stepped sud- denly the flight leader. Lieutenant Gunderlach, who has already been named in the official American com mCnique for prowess in the air.
 The aviator sprang to their feet and gathered around their leader for the final instructions. He had not Teen at all satisfied with the two performances of the day. They had shown tendency to struggle over- much and had not kept sufficiently 'Dunched."
 Hot criticism poured from his lips and the youngsters were silent in embarrassment. The leader did not spare them,. but iterated and reiter- atad that: ''the formation of the thing, the squadron is the thfng,," and, fin ally; God help a Astraggler."@ .' Then, the ordeal over, the aviators went silently to their quarters for their great, heavy, Arctic clothing. In the turn of a hand they were back On the field, swathing and swaddling themselves to the eyes, tucking. choc- Olate, into their pockets (for they set hungry up in the air) or break ing open fresh packages of chewing gum, which helps to alleviate nerv- ousness and has steadying effect
 The last machine gun had been tested, tie last propeller had been twirled until it revolved at lightt- ming speed, The commander gave an almost Simperceptible wave of his hand. !
 Airplane number one, bearing the flight leader, threw off it's restrain ing mechanics and swept in a big curve across. the field, ,,; "taxiing'' clumsily across the field with It's weight of bombs, to a position from which it could rise at. the head of the group. > |5 One by one the other followed suit. taking up position just behind and to. the right and left of the lead CT until they were spread, out like hugs coVey of, ungaily but marvel Clsly c0lored birds. As they wait ed they tossed out rockets which, de- spite the brilliant sunlight, flared a bhnding red and white The test was complete. They were ready for tho start.
 Again the commander gave signal. The noise of the motors rose to deafening proportions. The great covey began to move, gained speed as they sped northwad across the field, then one after another ''took off" tthe ground. All the clumsiness Of the "taxi-ing'' was gone. The ma chane had become graceful birds in fact.
 Swiftly they rose, while still within sight, to 8 great height. looking for all the world like flocck of geese with thte leader at the neck of the fol nation. Later on, when about to cross the line, they would draw clos CT together into al compact, tightly knit group, but always following, whether to the right or to the left. the two little white pennants stream ing out from the leaders machine. nrnr~h1n Nvoaaiffndo nov