Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-02

Groups Winter maneuver learned this
morning when pilots endeavored to start
planes in temperature 20 below zero.
Rear end of crankcaSe one plane torn
out by starter because motor was too
cold to turn over. Group waited for
transport with heaters. One Ford trans
port and Douglas transport arrived this
afternoon, also Lieut.. Rogers, who was
delayed Grand Forks with damaged ski.
Douglas transport was forced down Is
miles east of Minot, broken oil line re-
paired and plane proceeded to Minot,
breaking right axle on landing"
At Minot, before the planes could be
started, Maj. Royce informed the War
Department, water and oil were drained
from the engines and live steam was in
jected into the motors by blowers and
blow torches. In the process leaks de-
Veloped in the radiators In three planes.
"The start was q long process" Maj.
Royce reported. THE group made the
flight (from Minot to Great Falls,
Mont.) in small flights. In taking OF
at Minot, Lieut.. Warburton's skis were
damaged so badly they we're replaced
by wheels. The fight was made In
groups Of three and five, giving the jun
Tor officers an excellent opportunity to
lead their units in Winter weather.
Lieut.. Elliott forced down at HoSey
fight made in temperatures varying
from 10 below to above. At Great
Falls some Winter fog and snow hurries
forced pilots to fly at an altitude Of
200 feet and often below that"
Six Planes Forced Back.
After being held day at Great Falls
by blizzards, six Of the planes showed
of into the teeth Of the booming gale
but soon returned. Referring to this
disappointment, Maj. Royce reported:
Taking heed of the narrowing plight
OF six planes which had to turn back
yesterday when within 80 miles of Ka-
lispell. the 1st Pursuit Group Is taking
all possible precautions before attempt
ing again to cross this wild section of
the mountains. Officers suffered eX-
tremely from cold on the flight. Goggles
are worthless because of the frost; pilots
are flying without any. Wolf damaged
ski. Elliott being shipped motor; near
est. railway 20 miles by sled. Rogers
to hospital with infected foot. GioVan-
nolt and Underhin frozen noses"
Lieut.. Rogers, who was forced down
20 miles from the nearest railroad, fur
nished one of the most striking individ-
ual stories Of the expedition. He was
forced to leave his stranded plane with
a broken motor and to travel miles by
sledge. The horses died and the farmer
who accompanied him went to a hos
pttal in serious condition from freezing.
Rogers reported his predicament and
later a new motor was flown to him
aboard a tri-motored transport plane,
which landed by the disabled plane
Mechanics aboard the transport changed
the motor and both plane swere flown
back home.
On January II, Maj. Royce reported
from Great Falls: Blizzard with 35-
mile wind on Plateau Airport prevented
LIST Pursuit Group from getting mo-
tors started for hop to Spokane. Officers
working on their planes at daylight
with thermometer at IA below. Wind
dashed snow cut to the bone and drift
ed high about ships. Lined face masks
necessary on ground"
Maj. Royce removed his gloves for
moment to fasten bolt on his plane
and froze his hands. He succeeded In
thawing them out before they were Sc
riously injured.
Officers Faces Frozen.
zone plane started at cost of FROST
bitten face of Lieut.. Straubel," the re-
port continued. Doctor Is working
on Lieut.. underhill's nose, frozen yes
terday. One boiler supplying steam to
planes froze while operating and burst
pipe. Newly supplied boiler unable
to get up sufficient steam while in
OPEN"
After further struggles the group
crossed the Rockies and reached Spo-
kane. Their arrival was reported to
the War Department by Maj. Royce, as
follows:
Having battled forces of King Win
ter 10 days and won from them secrets
Of how they intend to aid enemies Of
the United States In war time, the LIST
Pursuit Group rests in Spokane. WASH.
while battle wounds are healed. With
arrival of Lieut.. Eolen, whose motor
was treacherously damaged by the
enemy in skirmish at Minot, N. OAK,
IL pursuit planes and one Ford trans
Lake, Is miles east of Spokane.
Battered skis are being repaired,