Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-07-18

of stops and starts and otherwise
hesitating travel the Captain again
noticed the sign "Bifur," and with
blood in his eye, got out at the mex!
stop to murder the engineer for tax
ing the train around in a circle: but
he was fortunately withheld from
his sanguinary desires by another
officer who had delved into his
French Dictionary and discovered
that "Bifur" denoted n railroad
switch. 1t was on this trip that the
men were first introduced to the
poison that the French so fondly
believe to be coffee. Travel rationS
were already an old story for they
had been introduced as Table IL
Hote menu at the above mentioned
REST Camp. The only stop made
for exercise was at the Depot at Orr
leans, where both muscles and
thirsts were loosened UP.
Arriving at Arcis-Sur-Aubc on the
morning of Tuesday, March Goth,
the Squadron detrained and break
tasted on corn willy, hard tack, and
the liquid the French call Cafe.
While the men were eating the Cap
tain was inquiring for the location
of the final objective, Vinets, and
in short order had the men lined up
and on their way. From the pace
he set, it was evident that the Cap
tain must have had date he want
ed TO keep. The men in the rear of
the column believed he had been
issued a Ford. At any rate they
galloped along and arrived at Vinets
with their tongues hanging out and
their packs weighing two tons,> and
decided that they had won their
aviator's wings after the flight they
had made. They covered the eight
kilometers in almost nothing, flat.
Arriving at Vinets about four p.
NJ, the men were taught the new
French National Game called Billet
ing. This consists of seeing how
many soldiers can roost in one hen
house, stable or cow-Shed. 1t was
worn and weary crowd that liter
ally "hit the hay" that night. The
next mornings breakfast used I'D
the last of the iron rations and it
began to look as tho the men would
have to put their bedding to use as
fodder if Quartermaster Depot
could not be located. After an cXas-
perating attempt to utilize the
French telephone lines, connec-
ton was finally made with Mailly,
a large Heavy Artillery Depo. not
FAR away, which promised to send
lirst aid, and Immediately dispatch
Ell truck load of rations to Vinets.
No foreign pOtentatc was ever more
noisily welcomed than was That
truck of "cats.''
Before many days had elapsed
the Squadron was supplied with
tents and truck transportation from,
Inc First Air Depot and comfor-
table camp was erected.
Actual construction work was
begun on Vincts Airdrome on the
first day of April, 1913. For three
and one-half months the Squadron
worked to complete what has been
called by many pilot. both French
and American, the "bcst landing
field in France" There were MANY
many difficulties to overcome, and
as necessity is said to be the mother
OF invention, a great deal of ingen-
nuity was brought to play to over
come these difficulties. The Squad
ron arrived without any tools but
The hands God gave the men. I'm
p!ements were bought of the local
dealers, whose stock afforded but
q mcager choice. Indeed, most of
the field implements used at Vinets
were fabricated by members of the
Squadron. To furnish a water sup
ply, a well was sunk through forty
two feet of rock. AS the bucket sys-
lem was not adequate to the needs
of the kitchen or the work on the
field, some other scheme of raising
the water was sought. After dick
ering with the municipal authori-
ties at Troyes, one day the Captain
appeared on the horizon with an
ANTICIPATED fire pump, model of the
French Revolution and ten NJ. p.
(Man power) with twin cylinders.
This was tried at the top of the we'll
but it was found that while it would
lift water it would not suck 1t