Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-07-15
AERIAL WARFARE
EQUIPMENT viewed
WITH GREAT INTEREST

On Monday a detachment of 20
men and a band Of six pieces, under
the leadership of Lieut.. Albert F.
McAlackin, a former Colby student,
a French Moraine biplane: complete
Photographic for making aerial pho
Biography, with a French trailer: a
15,000-watt motor plant operating 10
large searchlights. all Of which were
carefully explained to the public dur
ing the evening. and several other
interesting things, arrived In the city
shortly after s o'clock Monday aft
ernoon and went through College av-
enue to Main street, on their way
from Bangor. where they have been
over the weekend.
The object Of the detachment's visit
to the larger cities in Maine is to
secure recruits for air service. and
the complete detachment was under
the command Of Col. John D. Car
mody, and the purpose of the outfit
is to stimulate recruiting and also
to show the people that there is more
to air service than flying. In addi-
ton to the flying there are 81 differ
ent trades taught, and during the
training a man Is clothed. bearded
and receives a salary from $50 to
SGT with board, clothing, medical and
dental treatment all free in addi-
ton to the pay. If the recruit de-
sires he may go in balloon section
of the air service. Some of the diff
ferent trades mentioned were: Gas
making. engines, air service. Trained
ap1iSf Uhi1n
| others remain in service for three
years. and they may enlist in any
branch Of service they see At.
The trades mentioned were: Me-
chanics, photography and all it's
branches, all kinds Of clerical work,
telephone, telegraph. electrical work,
wireless, iron, steel. copper, alumni
mum. woodworking, carpentry cab
met work. gas engine. and the enlist
ment includes men from the ages Of
IS to 40, inclusive.
The flying schools are located in
and about the most industrial CEN
tiers from New York to California.
Upon enlistment the recruit will be
sent to Fort Slocum, n. Y, to be
fitted out with equipment, and Il
he desires they will be taken by air.
plane to Haze!hurst field at Mineola,
Long Island. n. Y. the largest and
most important field in the country,
being where the English dirigibIe
RIA landed under the command of
Col. Archie Miller. air service, one
OF the most distinguished officers in
the army, being one of the very few
having congressional medal of honor,
and an added attraction of the fact
that the camp is located only about
an hours ride on the electrics from
New York City.
Nearly 1000 miles has the detach-
ment travelled, taking in all the larg-
er cities and towns in Connecticut,
Rhode Island. Massachusetts,. New
Hampshire and Maine to this point.
coming here Monday from Bangor,
and leaving Tuesday morning for
| Augusta and Lewiston. working
their way to Vermont, thence to up
per New York state to Mineola, Long
Island, where they will discontinue
| the trip.
Col. Carmody. in his interview
| with the Journal representative, said
that a feature Of the whole trip,
which was nearly 1000 miles long.
! was the fact that there had been no
accidents, no sickness or any mis-
hops and he said that every
| man who was included in
the detachment had gained 10
pounds and more. They have their
own cook, food ETC.. also beds and in
fact everything is the army ration.
The men all looked happy and con-
tented and were very pleasant to
meet.
In the evening after an exhibition
OF their trucks. etc. the band, which
consisted of IL pieces, gave a band
concert from 8 o'clock until $50 to a
very large and appreciative crowd.
Had their arrival in the city been ad-
vertised more fully there would have
been hundreds more present.
One Of the trucks. the photo truck
and trailer. seemed to take the eye Of
the people more than any of the 9TH
er. perhaps the reason being that it
was camoufaged, being on of the
trucks which were used overseas.