The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-21
AIR BOMBING CHIEF
PRAISES
Tells Of Splendid Work of Es-
corting Squadron Cooperat-
ing With British.
NONE BETTER IN FRANCE
Lieut.. Luke of Arizona Burns
Eleven Balloons and Shoots
Down Airplanes.

AMERICAN FORCES ON THE LORRAINE
FRONT. Sept. 2o.-The commander OF
the American aero squadron on this
front has received the following letter
from the chief OF the British squadron.
with which the American aerial forces
have been cooperating
~ would like very much to express
In writing the gratitude felt both by
myself and the personnel under my COM
mand for the exceptionally fine escort
work done by your squadron when es-
corting in bombing raids.
I'VE all have agreed that when the
squadron Is escorting in our raid we
have nothing to fear from the enemy
aircraft Although 1t often Is impera-
tive 10 fly low, thus making a very long
trip over the lines. nevertheless your
squadron always has stuck to US.
"On one or two occasions one or our
machines would struggle owing to engine
trouble. but these machines had no need
TO fear the attacking enemy aircraft as
one of the escorting machines would al
ways look after the straggler.
"On many occasions enemy aircraft
have attempted to attack our bombing
machines over the target. but they never
have been successful owing to the excel
lence Of the escort.
Finally I can only say that do no,
consider any squadron I'm France is sup
piled with a better escort than Is my
squadron"
Lieut.. F. Luke Of Phoenix. Ariz., fat
tened his record OF enemy balloon de-
struction Wednesday by shooting down
two additional balloons, making a total
of eleven in four days. In addition he
brought down two airplanes in that
period.
| One OF the Lieutenants victories over
an enemy plane was confirmed by him
| self He landed by the side OF the fallen
machine to make sure that It's occu-
pants did not escape. and turned them
over to the French. He then returned to
| his squadron with the confirmation
papers in his pocket.
All of the eleven balloons were &C
| counted for by means OF incend!ary bull
let's Lieut.. Luke carries special per-
| mission from his chief to use such bull
| lets for this purpose. The majority OF
| the attacks on the balloons were made
at the greatest personal risk to the
| fier because he was the objective OF
quantities of the type of anti-arcraf,
| projectiles called flaming onions y
| which set an airplane abla,e IL they hi,
It accurately and which must be nimbly
lodged in the air.
On the flight during which Lieut. Luke
| brought down three enemy balloons and
an airplane. his gasolene became ex-
| hausted and he was forced to depend
upon the small emergency thankful with
], which all American airplanes are
equipped. Lieut.. Luke turned on this
supply. sufficient only for ten minutes
| and though on the German side OF the
lines he went after his two opponents ir
Fokl.er machines.
| The first was an easy victim, falling
| in the French lines. The second fell or
the German side and Lieut.. Luke wa,
unable to follow because of his shortage
OF gas and so landed near the first Ger
man. He had Only few gills OF gaso'
lene when he entered the fight. the last
few minutes of which he had devoted
simultaneously to fighting. guiding his
machine and operating his hand gaso
lene pump.
| Lieut.. Luke originated the idea ot
night raids on enemy balloons. and h.
| has been very successful in carrying
them out. Heswas late in returning OF
| night from raid and came down in a
wheat field discovering il was not too
difficult to land at night by the aid OF
| rocket flares. He ascertained the hour
when the enemy balloons were 10 bt
Allied and most of his attacks have beer
carried out as the balloons were abou
10 ascend.
Lieut. Edward V Rickenbacher Of
Columbus. Ohio. has downed two NOR,
| airplanes during the last week. one being
| officially confirmed. Lieut.. Rickenbache
!s now officially credited with six vic
| tories.