Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-09
u. S. PROP uganda
MADE HUNS UNEASY
Aviator Baker Says Matter
Distributed by u. S. Air
men Had Effect.
TELLS OF LIFE IN PRISONS

How the Unborn and ingrained sub
servience of the average German sol
der toward a man of officers rank
procured even for captured officers a
measure of respect and fair treatment
is brought out in recital of the eX-
periences of Lieut. Alfred 3. Baker of
this city, an Army aviator. who was
captured by the Huns last July. was re-
leased after the armistice and is now
hack in Washington on furlough.
Lieut.. Baker bears several scars as
the result of the last air battle in
which he participated and is shortly TO
go to Walter Reed Hospital for some
final treatment for one of his injuries.
He yesterday discussed in considerable
detail with a reporter for The Star
some of the peculiar angles of the
Teutonic temperament. in the course of
his conversation touching upon several
points about which not d great deal
has been said over here.
Among other things he says he is
certain that the propaganda being dis
tributed toward the close of the war
Iy American aircraft was having a de-
cded effect on the opposing soldiers,
and states further that an aviator who
>had been dropping that sort of matter
back of the lines was pretty certain,
if captured. to be himself a well in
formed propaganda.
Tells of His Capture.
Lieut.. Baker was plotting a Salm-
son, two-seater of French make,
the morning of July % last. His OBJ
server was Lieut. ]. C. Lumsden.
Their aerodTome was a few miles
from Coulommiers, not far from the
Marine river. and. owing to the sud-
den recent allied advance, was TWEEN
" miles in the rear of the lines at
that time. Baker and Lumsden were
going on the flight as protection for |
two other fiers in a second plane.
They had just lost sight of squad
of six British Camels4 scout ma
chimes. which were acting as volun-
teer protectors for both American
craft. when they were attacked Ow-
ing TO the lowness of the clouds, they
were flying low, most of the time at
less than 900 feet.
The Yankee planes were making
long loops over the lines Just east and /
south of Fere-en-Tardenois. going !
little father into German terri |
tory in each loop. When they were !
about fifteen miles beyond the lines /
and We're just about to turn, eight |
enemy scout planes of the Fokker |
type, bearing insignia belonging to |
the famous squadron formed by the /
then dead Baron Richthofen, ap-
peared over their heads. Baker inn
mediately closed in alon gside the /
other machine and they both sped UP |
for home. Lumsden had two machine |
guns and Baker had one
A running fight broke out which |
lasted about fifteen minutes, by which |
time they had almost reached Fere-en- |
Tardenois- As Baker was watching
over his shoulder he saw his pilot get |
hit: he did not then know where or
now badly. but the observer fell down
inside the cockpit. Next Baker stopped |
q couple of bullets. one laying open
mis- right 1awbone and, the other going
through his right shoulder. The angles |
OF others which came near him made
him realize a boche was under his
tall. Next he found his own gun out |
OF commission. His motor had stopped; !
bullet had punctured his gas tank
ana the gas had all leaked out