The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1919-01-03
COUPLE OF GALLANT YOUNG
MEN RETURN TO MANKAT0
were IN AIR SERVICE
George Schauss and Charles
Hardecker Arrived During
This Forenoon

Two sturdy khaki clad "Sammies,"
just arriving home from foreign serv-
ice, stepped from a train at the de-
pot this morning, having been must
cred out of the 476st Aero Squadron,
with which they went overseas last
January.
These "Sammies" were Master Sig
nal Electrician George Schauss, son
of Mr. and Mrs. J. ]. Schauss of Bel
grade avenue, North Mankato, and
his war time pal, Sergeant Charles
Hardecker of New Ulm, who enlisted
in the service at the same time. Both
young men were mustered out at
Camp Dodge, Ia.
I'VE came home in the transport
Ascanius," said Mr. Schauss, when
interviewed this noon. 1--WE left
Liverpool England on November rs,
and landed on December II, having
spent thirteen days coming over. and
encountering one of the worst storms
that / believe ever takes place on the
ocean. There were 1,400 Sammies on
our ship, all air service men.
Transport Like Cork.
For four days our transport was
unable to make any Roadway, and
was like a cork at the mercy Of the
waves. II only took us twelve days to
so across when we went over, but
then We took roundabout way, and
the weather was nice.
After / enlisted in Mankato last
spring ! was sent to Jefferson Bar
racks, Mo-, and was sent from there to
oil WI I n
the 47Gst Aero Squadron. After going
across we spent q week at Brest
France, and were then sent to Eng
land, where we were stationed. our
duties consisting mainly of taking
care of the machines"
while at London we witnessed a
big air raid" said Sergeant Hardeck
er. "At night the sky above the big
city was illumined with search lights
and the anti air craft was always
ready for all German air visitors. {
This raid was made about eight
o'clock at night, four Gotha bombing
planes coming over London and drop
ping bombs. One hit big press
building and killed quite few people
1t was a pitiful sight to see the wom-
en- with their babies running for
places OF safety, where they We're all
herded together.
Saw Fight in Air.
1--WE could see the big fight in the
air between the anti-air craft and the
enemy, as the searchlights made the
sky as light as day. One of the big
German bombing planes was brought
to earth, ard we saw one of the al
lied planes blaze with fire and burn
up in the air. 1t was 200 a. m. be-
fore the signals sounded all clear
letting the people know that the
danger had passed"
What about all this controversy
concerning the comparative merits of
the French and English girls and the
American girls?" the returned Sam
mics were asked.
Both young men smiled
"The English and French girls are
certainly appreciative of any little
attentions" admitted Sergeant Hard
ecker, "Out if a Sammie is nice to
them they Immediately think he is in
love or that they are in love with
him, and want to get married. A man
looking for wife would have all sorts
of good chances over there, as there
die lndly wealth. young women. nice
girls too. who would like to marry a
Sammie"
Lots of the fellows did marry
English girls. but we were not looking
for English wives" remarked Schauss.
THE way lots of us felt about it
was that we wouldn't trade one
American girl for ter of the foreign
girls" corroborated Sergeant Har-
decker
Yank3 Had No Rivals.
That the "Sammies" had no rivals
socially was vouched for by both
young meE. The American boys were
all heroes to the English and French
girls and when at dancing party
the "Sammies" found no difficulty in
obtaining dancing partners, as the
English girls apparently forgot their
own 'Tommies," and by preference
danced with the Americans.
Many curious ard unique souvenirs
We're brought home by the young
men.
Sergeant Hardecker returned to
his home at New Ulm this noon.
She Was the Daughter of MIR. and
Mrs. w. j. kober Of Mankato.
NJ "