Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-12
TELLS AIR PER|LS
OVER NICARAGUA
Mai. r. {. RoWeII Describes
Marine Flyers Work Pur-
suing SANDING.
By z. l.. POWELL,
Associated Press Correspondent

Associated Press Core pon6ent.
NANAGuA. Nicaragua The annua
report Of aerial operations By the United
States Marines in Nicaragua, just SUBJ
n.ittei BY Mai. Ross E. Rowell. fur
nlshes a striking picture Of the Mica
raglan military situation.
The aircraft squadr0ns of the ID
Marine Brigade" writes Mai Rowell
''have been actively engaged In opera
tons against hostile outlaws, and these
operations have been conducted at an
average of more than 100 miles from
the base airdr0ne. over & rough. wild
and most difficult area. under difficult
1yine conditions. The enemy driven
70 hiding In small groups in remote
mountain lungles, has made the prob
lem increasingly difficult.
Eighty-four Encounters.
During the fiscal year ended June 30
the sQusoTons have had contact with
the enemy on 81 separate occasions
about cne-t hird Of which were merely
brushes Of minor importance. Our
planes have been struck by hostile fire
So times during this period and q
times previously No sirplane has beer
brou~'1t down in action. and the only
air casualty suffered was one commits.
gioned observer. who was wounded ir
the foot In The Marra action last
March
Ma Roweu speaking Of casualtiei
due 10 causes other than rebel fire or
the planes SAYS.
Lieut.. Thomas and Eergt DoVdel
crashed On Eapotillal Ridge. 10 doubi
Cue 70 engine troubles and they were
both killed ln a fight With the rebels or
tf3e ground Capt. Byrd. pilot WITH
6srgt Prankfurter. observer, collidec
with large turkey buzzard al Estel
while On practice flight A wing col.
lspsed a. a low altitude and both were
killed in the resulting crash"
The report goes into considerable de.
tail regarding the care with which In
Jury TO n0n-Combatants Is avoided
Care for Civilians"
The policy mas been 70 carry OF
tl- plans and doctrines Of the brigade
commander. always giving the closes
attention 10 the security and Welfar'
C the non com Blatant native pOpula
ton SAYS the report Although thl
policy has permitted the escape Of
many hostile group Il has 0een per.
sisted n throughout Small grOups
frequently hide their arms and feigr
innocence. Some groups are provided
2lta women and children who SHOW
themselves boldly while the men re
u-sln Uncer cover secure IN the knowl
eoge that ire women and children VII
rot b. attached
MAJ Eo3ell tells II flying over IN
town n San Rafael del NGrte. whef
Augusta SANDING rebel leader. and
run9osr ~ nls followers we're resting II
& house 10 ne town
~Early last February" says Ma
FoweH u was leading fully armei
cir patrol wneu ne discovered Gandinf
and his main column consisting D
s6oJt $50 armed men Ia the town .
Ear Rafaci As ine horses we're PICK
eted and the outlaws gathered in tn
houses about the plaza the opportunit
~ STRIFE most effective blow wa
very great
Of the ground Yneye the pilots an
oglerYers iooked into the muzzles Of tn
enemy rifles, but not shot vas fired
This rare opportunity WaS passed bf
cause il HsS the policy ri the com
ynanoinR general 10 avoid the possibil
lty 81 injury 70 tne lives and propert
Of innocent persons BY retrelning fror
attacks on towns
Summarizing the work Of the ayia
s3rs Maj RoVell says
The planes of the gquadf0ns hay
S97et the enemy IN conflict time an
again On many occasions telling 81
ferks have been made. and on thre
different occasions sbattering blow
rave been dealt 10 the naln force III
pilots and observers have displayed ag
eresstvelgess and skill 81 al times. Wit
planes perforated by hostile rife an
faachine-gln FIRE, parts d the aifcfal
saot away. they nave fought with cor
kpicu0iis daring and tenacious courag
They have never lost plane 10 acoo'
never suffered a fatal casualty IN ~
tlon and naee never failed u rout "
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