Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-21
DEADLY AIR RAID
ARMY SHOW EVENT
Three Attack Planes to Have
First Demonstration
Against Land.

What is described as the most deadly
weapon of attack against ground troops
ever developed will be demonstrated
under field conditions for the first time
In public in the National Capital dur
ing the Military Carnival and EXPOSE
ton to be held at washington Barracks
Thursday. Friday and Saturday.
The demonstrations will be given by
three Army attack planes, developed
since the World War for the strafing
of ground troops. trains and strong
points in the battle lines. The sctivl-
ties of these latest weapons of modern
warfare are little known in the East,
since the Sd Attack Group. in which
Ali attack aviation has been concen-
trated. is stationed in the West.
The three planes, brought here in the
process of transfer and replacement OF
Air Corps equipment, viii be flown In
formation attacks on ground troops by
pilots from Boiling Field, who have
been practicing for the past week IN
connection with troops at Fort Wash
ington. Md. who will provide the
ground forces for the demonstration
this week
Machine Gun Power.
Mounting six machine guns each,
Including three of a caliber heavy
enough to pierce light tank armor, the
three planes can bring to bear upon
small area a veritable hailStorm OF
deadly fire. The 18 guns of the three
planes do not constitute the entire
strength of the planes. however. In
addition to its guns each plane carries
either 10 augmentation bombs weigh
ing Is pounds each or Is l0-pound
bombs, depending upon the type OF the
target With bombs and guns COM
bined the planes are able to sweep every
living thing off the face of the earth in
the area of attack
So swift. unexpected and deadly is
their attack that no adequate ground
defense has yet been devised against
them. according to Air Corps officers.
The attack planes operate at low altl-
tudes. approaching behind trees, low
hills and other distractions so as to
take their targets without warning.
A bomb attack on a tank is scheduled
as a part of the attack plane demon
strstion.
''Firef1ies" to Be Used
The Air Corps will not conf1ne It's
activities during the carnival to combat
demonstra tons. however. but also will
f1y night demonstration using three
"irehies." or planes festooned with
chains of colored lights. with which
many color combinations may be effect
ed in flight A flaming comet" also
will be flown at night, the plane emit
ting a dense trail of smoke upon which
searchlights will play.
One of the "firefiy" pilots will be
Lieut.. w. A. R. Robertson, Air Corps,
now stationed at Boiling Field. who
served during the World War in the
British Royal Flying Corps until the
close of the war. when he came to the
United States and entered the Army
Air Corps.
A native of Washington, Lieut.. Louis
M. Merrick operations officer at Boiling
Field. will be another Of the three fire
fly pilots.
The youngest of the trio who will
pilot the planes in the brilliant night
Looping Comet" Coming.
A famous plane. known as the Loop
ing Comet" is being brought from
Wright Field. Ohio, by the Army and
will be piloted by one of the Armys
most famous aces, Capt. Street,. Capt.
STREET. also is a native of Washington
and veteran Of the World War.
The flaming comet" which will be
piloted by Capt STREET. in the Army
show, will present novel and spectac-
uIar sight, when it will tear through
the night sky. emitting a pillar of
smoke. to give the effect Of night anti
aircraft fire.
Another feature will be a fight be-
tween the Sd Battalion of the 18th
Infantry Regiment at Fort Washington,
using its machine guns, one-pounders
and rifles and planes.