The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-01-02
duane HOLMES WAS
FLYING ABOVE CLOUDS
Ward County Air Fighter Says Its
Some Feat to Stand in Machine
Going 125 Miles an HOur-Hand-
kerchiefs Often Pulled From
Mems Pockets by Air
Suction

Duane Holmes, who wrote his faith
er concerning his experiences in
France, gives an extraordinary in
teresting account Of an air gunner's
feelings as he stands at his gun shoot
ing thru space at a fearful speed. The
Following is a continuation of the let
ter. part of which was published
Iast week:
I'm back now from supper and will
write little more about my adven-
Sure in France.
Oar ship was parked CD along
side the Finland but none were al
Bowed ashore. Next morning we went
ashore with light packs and took bur
sirst hike on French soil. We went
nut around to Camp No. 1 and came
in tired and hungry That evening
we were given our first shore liberty
ia France. 1t was that evening that
I tried on my French on the shop
keepers. 1t was with queer results.
The next day our ship was warped
30 an unloading pier and all day we
eere busy as. bees getting the cargo
ashore 1t w3sHgood har work, but
we worked until ten p. m, and started
sut for our new home at 1900 mid
might. It was about a two mile hike
and we were glad to get out there and
Spread our blankets for a short sleep.
We took up our drill work right away.
Eight hours day was spent in vari-
xaus ways. And once week we took
an all day hike. Sunday was quite
our own. 1t was after one of these
aiESes that ! had to go on sick report.
Ar,l-l - .,,{ f1,, l1,v
later We sent details down to unload
ships. was down one day and han
died lumber all day. About this time
n call came for men "a sergeant)
10 60 to an automatic weapon school.
I thot I had no chance to be so for
tunate: However, on the evening of
Sept. 18th the Top told me I was
80 report to Lieut., Cochran for a
competitive test. Well, went over
and won the chance to go to that
school and started that day, Sept. IA
Scr Gondrecourt.
: Since that day I've only seen two
members of the old company-the
s.ap.ain in October, 1917 and one of
che. old crew on the evening Of Nov.
1lth, 1918. It was good to hear
about some of the old timers.
That was my first experience in
-1rjpping over the railways Of France
and enjoyed he trip. Well, I
travelled third and second class. But
never yet have / gone the usual meth
I'D of ''forty men to the box car"
went thru the school o. X. max
ing good grades and when a call came
IN for some Lewis gun instructors the
W. nh, cd
ather fellow, friend of mine, a
soughboy sergeant, who now lies IN
Ger the free sell of France. After
Ed finished my course was sent to
Marine headquarters. I remained in
The cool town Of Damollers until my
orders came. From there I went tc
Paris to report for duty with the al,
service. At that time Paris was
more oren to outside men. landed
there unfriepded and alone. ! check,
80 my baggage and when | was or
The walk outside the Care de Pest, q
woman of Partisan accent touched my
elbow and said, "You go wiz me 2" Il
was then in my broken French ] re
piled that i was in Paris on bushes:
aud not for pleasure, and I've beer
able to shake Fem of ever since.
Y found my friend Bruce there attel
= couple of days. Also / rode dowr
She boulevard with the famous viollf,
Est, Spaulding. l did not know tn
distinction / was having at that time
Well, we left Paris for IssondtIi' OF
Sunday, Oct. 28th You know wanaa
Il did there. II had the pleasure o.
instrucsing mary flying officers
had a COED place to stay; there ar,f
along about December was tralsfel.
I'D to a company on duty in Paris IL
That was why I rernafhend N issor
an SO long. was doing more gooi
there than / could in Paris.
Early in March / was promoted e
ser9sAnt for technical duty. Earl;
Y ApsiAI put a letter thru military
cnAnnel. rsauesting to be returned tf
My orean1zssian for duty. A little
III NM sssssss