The Washington herald., 1918-04-08
BY JOHN LLYOD BALDERsToN.

BY JOHN LLHOD BALDERSTON.
France, March S.-"British off
cial communiQue. During the night
of the 7th inst Ave tons of bombs
were dropped on the German aero
drome at All of our ma
chimes returned safely"
That Is all the public learns about
night bombing raids. Here Is the
story of the raid which got three
lines in the official report told in
more detail, typical in every way Of
what happens behind the German
lines on every night when flying 10
at all possible.
Prepare for Raid.
A little more than the usual noise
was proceeding from the ante-room
of q certain r. F. c. mess not very
far behind the British front. The
c. o. had just announced, over cof-
fee and cigarettes. that on the NOR
row. weather permitting, big
starfe would take place at night.
No mere flight undertaking this,
but a combined attack. in which
at least three of the four squad
rons in the wing would take part.
Long before the younger members
OF the mess had made UP their
minds as to the particular spot on
the map that had been selected for
their attentions, those who had flown
over from England a few months
before (when the squadron was
mobilized), had settled down t.
bridge or poker. They had taken
part in some big shows already;
and after all. in their opinion bomb
ing raids did not furnish half so
much excitement as fighting Huns
in the air by day.
Mechanics Busy.
Next day scores of mechanics at
the aerodrome were busy with oil
and petrol, overhauling aeroplanes
and guns. A few engines were OUT
side the sheds, because fire risk and
the dust blown about the tested
propellers prohibit engine activity
inside the hangers; while sail
makers" patched up a few wings
damaged by "Archies" last efforts.
Soon after dusk a dozen aeroplanes
were wheeled to one end Of the aero
drome. Bombs of all sizes, ranging
from 25 pounds to over 800 pounds,
we're fetched from the dug-out stores
some distance away. By the light
Of electric lamps the cigar-shaped
"eggs" were placed in their racks,
the small bombs under the wings,
the larger ones in their special car
riers under the fuselage Just above
the wheels, so the balance of the
plane would not be affected when
they were dropped.
The Wing Commander, whose crown
and star rank is more than merited
by his good work as flying officer
in the Mons days, then gave out the
objective-the German airship. sheds
at -, and discussed formation and
route. Half an hour later strange
leather-clad figures carrying maps.
goggles and gloves made their way
across the aerodrome to the long
row of machines. These were the
pilots and observers on whom the
success of the shot depends. Their
craft, in the light thrown by two
or three powerful flares, looked like
gigantic beetles. Observers fingerad
each on gun triggers, slowed away
ammunition trays and signal lights,
while the pilots prepared to give
their engines a last trial.
Race Over Ground.
Then. they raced over the ground,
one by one. and climber up out of
sight into the darkness. Round and
round they circled until the last ma
chine was away. Still climbing as they
went, they headed of eastwards for
their objective. Almost before the
roar Of their engines had died away,
another squadron was in readiness at
an aerodrome nearby, waiting to fol-
low with their grim cargoes at the
appointed time. Three hours later,
with still smother squadron setting
out, most of the first machines had
returned, some to do another trip be-
fore dawn.
From the reports made by the pilots
has been obtained brief account of
what happened during the actual
raid. -.s..
The irst machine, which carried q
small calibre gun, descended to with