Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-09

over tn. airdrom. ari disappeared
From that moment until the II Army
ana Navy escort planes. which had
flown In dizzy circles above Fort Hum
phreys. Va. tor an hour snd Is min.
utes holding their promised rendezvous,
sighted tbs breguet. they had not been
reported a. having been seen.
AS the flyers, equipped with detailed
maps given them by Army airmen at
Maxwell Field and their own navisat-
ing Instruments, pushed on northeast
ward no break in the low-hanying
clouds offered en- opportunity to get
between them and the ground. They
were aware that they were dangerously
close to the mountains OF the Appala-
chan range and hence they dared not
descend too closely TO the earth for fear
OF striking a cra2 or peak that un.
doubtedly would loom up suddenly
before them.
80 for 400 miles they new without
the slightest knowledge OF what was
below them In the event that their
faithful Htspauo-6uiza engine. which
has carried them from Paris and has
roared without 4 break for 238 flying
hours. developed trouble necessitating
forced landing. In this condition
they might Is well have been over
the ocean. they said. only the ocean
offered softer place to land. The
chances OF recovery from a forced
landing Of either type were about equal.
Finally an opportunity came for them
TO get within sight OF the ground. 90
they dropped to about sixty feet above
the tree tops. Then the mist. rain
and fog surrounded them again and
In order to keep land In sight. which
every airman prefers, they had to hold
TO this hazardous altitude,
Visibility Was Poor.
we couldn't zee 100 feet ahead. 10
the left or 70 the right" Lieut.. Contdr.
Iebrix reported. This ofacer navigatec
while Lieut. Costes piloted. The maps
given them served OF little or no useful
purpose owing TO the fact that for the
iirst 500 miles no landmarks we're
sighted 10 check and on the remaining
500 miles II Was just case at hedge
hopping" Hence. Lieut.. Comdr. Lebrtx's
famed navigating ability once more
was put 70 useful purpose.
As they roared along over the tree
tops the flyers expected rnoinentariiy TO
get a break In the muggy condition
that surrounded them. but were unSuc.
ccssful Now and then they passed
through q clear area. but this was
brief. considering the speed they
travelled at. Engine failure at this low
altitude meant landing straight ahead.
regardless Of the nature OF the ter.
rain. as they did not have suficient
height or visibility TO cruise around and
glide 10 field Of their choice. The
parachutes which were installed In the
"Nungesser and Coli plane at lie
nj Ia I'd
likewise were yalueicss at this low
On and on they few. and 10 perfect
was Lieut.. Comdr. Lebrixs navigation
that they struck Fort Humphreys right
on the nose" and found the ofsicial
escort awaiting them,
Led by three Navy Hawk" single
scatter pursuit planes ana accompanied
on either side and ~ the rear by the
nine Army pursuit and observation craft.
the Breguet hew into Washington.
taking the ofsicial reception party by
surprise as they plunged through the
veil Of mist that hung over the south
Down the airdrome thu three
Hawks" New At top speed and a. thay
came 10 q point opposite the reception
party, they pulled up. broke formation
and landed. The big nreguet dashed
down the center oil the fseid. and white
preparing IN land. several Of tho Array
planes went down on the dsiest part OF
the fieid
Taxyins through a sea Of mud that
constituted part OF the neld. the olive.
green plane drew UP to the line. A.
liz occupants climbed out they were
greeted by Mai. Howard @, Davidson,
commandment Of boiling Field. and Lieut..
Comdr. Homer q. Wick. commanding
the naval air station. Secretary Of War
Davis. host 70 the Visiting Myers o. the
reception attending their arrival ana
his gueata. Including Ambassador
Ciaudel, his two daughters. Secretary
retaFica Warner and MacCraGken tor
Gen. Pershtng. Maj. Gen.
Charles u, tiummerall. chief at stan; the
chiefs of the Army AIR OQsps ana vt the
Nays Bureau at Aef0nautics. members
IT Congress and NUMEROUS Army ana
Navy aviat0rs In uniform. swarmed
about the myers,
Smiling and allowing no signs Of
fatigue they acknowledged the warm
and were delighted with ~ sin.
certify. even though the crowd was small,
That ended the first tribute 10 the air
men from the American people. ~ ex-
pressed through Ia administrative Of
Metals.
Escorted by = troop Of Cavalry from
Fort Mysr, the Myers were taksh N the
French embassy and later = reesptlon
was given IN their houer by Nal,
night Antbasaadag ard Nina, uisudel on.
teftained st dinner In the AirMen'a
honor al the Carlton Hntsi where thsy
are Atattna uitriuA thst& visit hefa