Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-07
COME of the Things Accomplished by the
- and On the Fighting Line The Gamer
for Future OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Birds That q
of "Big Tom''-American Telephone Girls

lance of aerial photography, for the
air service has been most appropri-
ately called the "eyes of the Army"
and 1t not only saw, but through Its
experts took hundreds of photographs I
of enemy terrain. Numerous squad
rons were equipped with cameras.
Photographic work secured valuable
information. When a squadron equip
ped with cameras would go UP on
journey over the lines its members
would take numerous photographs OF
the enemy's positions. and IL they
were fortunate enough to return to
their flying field they would at once
set about developing their plates and
securing block pictures, therefrom
The photographs thus obtained were
patched together so as to show in
detail the territory over which they
had flown. The combination OF these
pictures was called aI''mosaic," and
it was indeed surprising, when these
were enlarged, to not the detail; and
many bit of enemy camouhage was
exposed by the cameras eye.
Aerial photography was also ap-
piled to record the damage done by
artillery fire and night or day. bomb
ing. Divisional headquarters was
thus constantly kept informed as to
the amount and character of damage
done the enemy.
One OF the most striking examples
of the skill and daring of the flyers
is the feat performed by Lieut. Col.
John H. Reynolds. Headquarters de-
sired information as to the position.
strength and general view, of the ter
ritory occupied by. certain German
divisions between Metz mad the YER
dun sector. It was a particularly
hazardous mission. Early in the
morning Reynolds called the next
ranking officer into his tent and told
him conlidentially where he was
going. 1t was a wise precautton, as
the chances were greatly In favor Of
his not returning Although it was
necessary to fly not only over the
German lines. but over many miles
OF hostile territory. Reynolds accom-
plished his mission and returned 10
camp, not only with the desired IN
formation. but also with photographs
and additional data which proved to
be Of great value to our Army. For
this ana other courageous feats ne
was awarded the distinguished serv-
ice cross.
.yl94,s; ~. 4 So * * js'.'
Day after day the. airmen few oyer
the lines, In most instances without
the protection Of pursuif planes. Pc
cause our air service could not Sc
! cure enough planes OF THIS character
from the allies.
. when the commander in chief or
the American "expeditionary forces
Gen. John J. Pershing. arrived IN
France June 13.s 1917. Lieut.. (now
capt.y Paul d. Miller. n Signal Corps
photographer, began making the nrst
Photographic records of our expedi-
: tionary forces. 1t fell to hitherto 90
double duty. to act az a.; still pno-
+ tographer as wen as q cinemntograph
operator. Two weeks after Gen. FER
shing set foot on French soil the nrst
convoy of American troops followed
him. The first kh3ki-clad American.
our soldiers saw, as their ships silent
ly entered the harbor of st. Nazaire'
was the American camera man CAIN
I ly turning the crank of his machihe'
stanning now and then for n ninstant
to take a still picture 1T Is needless
to say that the men on shipboard
cheered Justify. They knew that the
folks back home would shortly see the
pictures in THE press or on the screen.
From this date on. the Signal Corps
operators recorded the triumphs OF
the American forces Mt Chateau Thi-
cry, Vaux, Bouresches. Beiieau
woods. Torcv and ST. Mihiel; then at
Alsaec, scissors, Juvigny. as well as
on the Cambrai- St.. quentin front
where our mon fought side by side
with the British. The visitor to the
Army War College, can also see pho
tographs of tho King Of England PIN
ming a medal for vnlor upon the chest
OF o Yankee buck private.
Where the Photographic units were
attached to divisions, the scarcity OIL
transportation made ii necessary, IN
many instances, for the photographers
to carry their apparatus, as well as
their personal belongings. on their
backs. They might fuss, fume ana
condemn in superheated terms the
lack and need of transportation, but
IL.