The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-01

I
entire attention can be devoted to
the enemy rather than to his own
formation.
We often unanswered our flights
While the individual planes were
less than ten feet apart and it was
not unusual to dive vertically for
several thousand feet in a fairly
close formation.
We learned the use of Lufbery
circles, cross over turns, and other
formation tactics. Our formations
were often tight, it is true, but
strange as it may seem, very few
accidents occur from too close fly
ing.
A pilot is constantly alert when
his plane is only short distance
from the one in front and nothing
is allowed to distract his attention
On the other hand, when there IS
quite some distance separating them
he is often more engrossed in light
ing a cigaret or watching some OBJ
iect on the ground than in his own
formation.
In pursuit flying we came to have
great confidence in our parachuteS.
The planes we were flying were kept
in excellent condition and none ever
failed, Notwithstanding the fact
that we placed them under every
conceivable strain imaginable.
But the knowledge that we did
not have to concern ourselves about
whether they cid fall apart or not
was an invaluable factor in building
up our morale. Our formations were
tighter, the combats faster, and our
flying better as a result.
We had a number of close calls,
but considering the amount of fly
ing we had done, and that all of it
was military flying, which can not
/ be ever compared with commercial
traffic as far as safety is con-
cerncd, our accidents were remark
ably few and none resulted seri-
ously.
No one knows of the risk ne takes
better than the pursuit pilot and no
one is less concerned about il. Every
move. although at lightning speed.
is made with a GOODNESS born OF eX-
perience and love Of flying.
The Army Air Corps is built up of
men who fly for the love Of flying
Their only mission in life is to build
up the finest air corps in the world,
and their greatest desire is to be
given the opportunity to do SO with
out restriction. If an officer is lost
in duty he would be the last one to
wish for resulting restrictions on his
comrades.
A week Of our pursuit training was
spent on a gunnery expedition at
Galveston. We flew there from
Kelly Field in NJ. B-3-A machines
and fired on tow targets exclusively.
Our field was close to the Gulf,
and when the days operations had
been completed we were free to go
about as we chose. Consequently
large part Of the evening was
spent along the rocky beach.
On the night OF our last day at
Galveston several of us were hold
ing a contest to decide which could
reach the most distant rock between
the breakers, before the next wave
rolled in. One of the fellows was
outstanding in his accomplishments
In fact he was so deXtrous that
none of us could compete, SO we
were all loud in our praises and un-
animously agreed that there was not
rock in the gulf too obscure for
him.
There was. however, a rock a num-
Der of feet beyond the most distant
point any of us had attained, which
was visible only for an instant as
the last breaker receded and before
the next arrived. Even this was
possible, we confidently assured him
He watched that rock intently for
several minutes; then bolstered up
by our praise and his own conf
dence, he stood poised and ready.
At the proper moment he nimbly
leaped from boulder to boulder after
the reteating surf, but just before
he final rock was touched large
wave lowered above it. Too late!
The chance of retreat had never
been considered and its opportunity
had passed. With do or die deter
mination he leaped onto the boulder
and into the breaking wave.
This incident would not have been
serious or its consequences impor-
tant had we been able to carry any
extra equipment in our pursuit
planes, but as it was, extra clothing
was scarce article, and when we
took off for San Antonio and Kelly