Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-08-28


on the lip.
The accident occurred at the east
end of the flying field, short dis
tance to the south of the disposal
plant. The two planes had left the
ground together only short time be-
fore. They were taking the two pri-
Yates on the first rides they had ever
experienced in airships, under the
rule which gave permission for en-
sted men to be taken aloft before
transfer from the camp, which has
been ordered for some time within
the next few days. Just what
happened is not yet known, although
three officers, Lieut.. Wolfe, Wyatt
and McMullen, standing on the field
near headquarters, saw the accident.
"The ships were flying between
500 and 1000 feet high," said Lieut.
Wyatt, who is. also post adjutant,
when they were seen to come to-
gether. From the position they were
in, and the distance, it couldn't be
oscertained whether they collided on
the wings, or whether the tail Of
Lieut.. Warde's ship struck the wing
of Lieut. McRae's. At any rate
Lieut.. McRae's plane started toward
the earth, diving straight head down,
with one wing, which had been torn
partially off in the collision, dangl-
ing. The other plane started down
ward, too, but at an angle, and land
ed partially under control"
Bodies Wrapped in Debris.
Several officers, including Lieut.
Colonel RAIDER, commanding officer,
and Major Schofield, executive off
GER, were at the scene of the acci-
dent Immediately. The bodies of
Lieut.. McRae and Private Brook were
found wrapped in the debris, both
being dead when rescuers arrived.
Lieut.. Warde's plane was badly
wrecked, but he and Private Rice
were able to extricate themselves.
Private Rice was taken to the post
hospital, where he was shortly re-
leased. Lieut.. Warde while the
other officers were busy trying to re-
suscitate the others, went to his
room in the officers quarters, where
he was found some time afterward
by his fellow officers, crying and
bleeding from his shoulder wound. He
was induced to go to the hospital for
a thorough examination and to have
his wound dressed. Because of his
shocked condition he was not quizzed
as to the cause of the accident.
After examination of the wreck
age, Major Schofeld made the state
ment that the propeller of Lieut..
Warde's plane appeared to indicate
that it had hit some other object
before striking the ground.
Accidept Depl2red.
The accidetn was greatly deplored
by Souther Field officers and mon.
but was taken as an event that might
happen any day in any flying field,
and routine went on as usual after
the victims had been cared for. How
ever the big flag floating over head
quarters was Immediately lowered to
half mast in respect to the dead
Lieut.. MacRae was one of the most
popular officers that had ever. been
stationed at this post, and had a
large circle of friends in the city
where he was well known. His home
was at Rosalie, Wash, but he had
been here many months, coming hero
in 1918 as a cadet and being commits
stoned and given his R. M. A. here.
His commission was dated November
10, 1918. Until last week he had
been commander of the flying field de-
tachment. but couple of days ago
had been assigned to the post of as
sistant engineer.
Lieut.. MacRae was one of the star
performers in the aerial circus Civ
on at Souther Field in July. Herr
is what the official program said of