South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-15

huns The next article will APP
pear In an early issue.
BY FREDERICK MAXWELL
it was sometime before we could |
get the allied governments 20 recog- |
nize our work. and give as the as
sistance we got from the Belgian
government from the start. Had the
British and French governments
been alive 10 the possibilities from
the first far more might have been
achieved than was actually the case
II was hard for me 10 understand
the reluctance OF these governments
20 cooperate with as. and / did not
get an explanation bordering on the
satisfactory until / came 10 London
after the armistice Then 7 learned
that the reason why the British gov
eminent refused for so long 20 recog-
nize and assist us was the fear OF
bringing down on our heads and on
the heads Of the civil population un-
connected with us the vengeance OF
the German authorities, who had in.
formed the allied governments at tbs
outset of the war that 70 was their
intention 10 deal in the most severe
manner with any attempt on the
part of civilians behind the German
lines to hamper the movements OF
German troops or aid the allies in
any way
Until the British government was
induced by circumstances to join
forces with US IN spite Of fears. the
only cooperation with outside agen-
cies was unofficial, mostly coming
from the airmen and the agents OF
the allies, who sometimes appeared
in occupied Belgium.
Airmcn Help Work.
Comparatively early IN the war we
had esta blished informal relations
with tho British and French head
quarters, the link between us being
the airmen who frequently came be-
tween the lines 10 seek for informa-
ton regarding the movements OF
German troops In this way 1 made
the acquaintance of Vedrines. Gar
ros, Fonck. Ball. MCudden. Robin
son. and other French and British
airmen who frequently fisked their
lives behind the German line in
quest OF information that was vital
20 the allied command.
IL was 10 the late Capt. Ball. when
met him outside Brussels in 1917,
that ! first suggested the idea of air
men assisting Us in our work by tax
ing back with them rescued prison
ers who were In possession OF infOr-
= nation regarding German DISPOSE
tons.
That il a Jolly good idea" re-
piled Ball, but 1 doubt whether
I viii suggest it and let you know"
Next time Ball came he said to
me. The old women at general
headquarters are sceptical Of the
idea. but they have left me free to
use my discretion I have used it by
coming alone this time. If you have
any interesting fugitives I don't mind
making a trial trip"
Rescuing the Boy Brlgadicr.
II so happened that We had in hid
ing not far away from the spot
where these daredevil airmen were
in the habit of landing a very inter
esting fugitive indeed. Brig Gen
B.. known as the boy brigadier.
because Of the early age at which he
had reached this rank. Brig B.
had been wounded and left on the
field in some local lighting about the
time He was picked up by the Ger
mans and brought into Brussels,
where be was detained for three
DAYS before being sent into Ger
many.
shortly after leaving Brussels the
train conveying the prisoners was
held up, and the men were chartered
on the Belgian villagers close TO the
railway. That evening there was a
conflict between the civilians and
the military. and a number OF the
British soldiers were set free incud-
ing the boy trigadier and two staff
officers belonging 20 the Ninth Scot
tsh and South African division of
the British army.
Trusted friends brought B. and
the other men 10 Us. and they re-
NAMED in hiding until the following
day. when Balls arrival gave me the
chance for which I was waiting OF
netting B. away. When i told
Ball what I had Tor him he was
greatly pleased. and readily agreed
10 take the brigadicr and one OF the
stan officers referred 20. The trip
was made successfully in spite Of
the fact that the machine was dred
on for a considerable part OF the
= Journey back 10 the British lines
Brings I'm "a spy.
Il like the thing immensely" was
what Ball told me next time ne came
over. &C. II. q. We're glad 10 get the
brass hats hack. for they think a lot
Of both OF them. They are not go
ing 20 say anything about their cap
ture. but the Germans have report
ed the capture OF a British general
and stan officers OF a division"
on this occasion Ball had brought
with him British officer named
Harker. whom ] was told 90 assist
IN his efforts 90 get information re-
garding the disposition Of the GER
man troops between Brussels and
the coast.
This intelligence officer remained
behind the German lines in the dis
ruise OF a Flemish commercial trav-
eIler Tor more than six months. He