The Colorado statesman., 1918-07-13

| action with German planes April 20
last was the first American naval avl-
ator to shoot down and destroy a Ger
/ man seaplane, according to a navy de-
| partment statement.
The report states that on March 10.
| 1918. q long-distance reconnaissance
| of the German coast was made by
large American flying boats operating
from British Royal Air force station.
Ensign Potter was one of two Ameri-
can naval aviators accompanying this
expedition and Potter was successful
in shooting down a German seaplane
which attacked the reconnaissance for
nation. A second enemy seaplane
found safety in running away.
Potter's death reflects credit on his
courage. He was killed In fight with
seven enemy single-seaters. He was
second pilot to British air force cap
tain, who was with him when he shot
down the German plane In March.
Two British planes had flown to
point six miles from Hinder light.
when two enemy planes headed toward
them. The British planes closed on
the nearest German and opened fire.
Two more hostile planes then appeared
overhead and attacked vigorously
while three other enemy planes passed
astern. The two British planes dived
and speeded westward under continu
Gus volleys from the rear. One of the
Germans disappeared
OF the seven Germans in action four
were attacking Potter, who fell behind
his companion and began to zigzag.
Potter lodged, but was broadside to
all the enemy machines and under
their fire only so feet from the water.
His companion, 250 feet above, saw
Potter's machine burst into flame,
come part of the way under control.
then crash on the port wing tip. Pot
ter was seen last on the surface of the
water amid flames, which turned sud
denly to huge cloud of smoke. When
the pail had cleared not even wreckage
was visible and the circling enemy dis
appeared.
German timidity before American
pistol fighters armed with American
.45-caliber automatic pistols has
brought about a change in the equip
ment of the American Expeditionary
forces by the. war department and the
ordnance department is rushing pro-
duction of these weapons About 5000
are turned out daily and production Is
increasing. The impression exists that
shot from an American 40 takes
man out of action completely. Men
hit from the smaller. German pistols
frequently continue in action effec-
lively. The AS caliber was adopted
by the United States army in 1911.
Despite the heavy increased demand
for these pistols the ammunition
branch of the ordnance department
has effected a saving during the past
two calendar months of nearly $1,000
600, mostly on small-arms ammunition.
The total savings by the ordnance
department for these two months
through salvage, waste prevention and
the utilization or sale Of discarded ma
terials have aggregated SS,757 OPS.
Cost of Vickers machine guns has been
reduced S322.35 each; Colt machine
guns, S2S416 each; Lewis machine
guns, 500 each. Government rifles
now cost S22 each, reduction of $13
each.
Health of women workers In muni-
tion plants will be looked after by
woman health officers who are to be
trained under the direction of the
women's division of the industrial
service section of the army ordnance
department
An eight weeks course OF study for
carefully selected woman health off,
GERS has opened at Mount Holyoke col
lege. Massachusetts,. The course Is
under the general direction of DIR.
Kristine Mann, health supervisor of
the women's branch of the ordnance
department. The staff Of lecturers
and instructors includes well-known
specialists in physiology and hygiene,
physical education, factory organiza-
ton and labor.
Women taking the course are college
graduates or of equivalent technical
education. Almost all of them have
had experience in dealing with work
ing women. First requirement for ad-
mission to the course is perfect health
and only those were selected who will
inspire wholesome living among the
munition workers.
The army has sufficient veterina-
rians, Surgeon General Gorgas an
nounces. Examinations for commits
sions in the veterinary corps have
closed. There is waitins list OF
those eligible to commissions and un-
til this list is exhausted there will be
no more examinations. The corps has
1.7OO officers and 10000 enlisted men
on active duty.
Veterinary graduates called by the
draft will enter the army service as