Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-23

from one side of the Atlantic to the other. At
the same time, on another secret wave length
and in code, all other information secured n.
the airplanes is radioed to the fleets commaSse
ing officer.
Thus before the advancing enemy has come
within hundreds, or even thousands, of miles,
the American feet commander has complete In
formation to its position, its strength, ITS
direction and its special thanks to that huge
Zeppelin, the Akron, its $500, 000-cubic-fe
hulk looming ominously over the horizon or
lurking in the clouds and darkness near the
enemy.
That isn't the only way in which the Akron
is making itself useful in this assumed war. As
scout cruiser it is supreme and most efficient.
But as darkness comes on, the Akron advances
still toward the enemy, to hover high over his
heavy battleshipS during the night and per-
chance to drop bomb or two upon them.
IN the gathering dusk, far in the distance,
from an enemy surface airplane carrier,
comes squadron Of enemy planes prepared
to attack the Akron with machine gun fire.
But the Akrons commander is ready for that
sort of attack. Again he discharges the Akrons
five planes, all fast pursuit or observation
planes, each with machine gun rat-a-tatting
its bullets through the fast-revoving propeller
in synchronism with the blades. At the same
time the Akron prepares its battery of rapid
a powerful defense, with its heavier than-air
squadron, against an airplane attack.
Since the afternoon, the strato-cumuluS
clouds have evaporated and removed for the
moment their natural" cover But the Akron's
planes lay heavy smoke screen around the
ship and attack Is 50 much more difficult.
The Akron has gone to a height Of $4,000
feet Immediately upon sighting the enemy
planes, much faster than the planes could
climb. But the enemy has kept his distance
p1ai1o ha
feet altitude above the Akron.
Now they come, diving into the attack, SO
Of them, Is on zach bow. The Akron's planes
lay a tall curtains of smoke astern of the ship
while she turns $50 degrees A few seconds
later the ship disappears at fun speed through
this curtain.
THIS quick maneuver disconcertS the at
tackers. They have to fiatten out their
diving angle somewhat and for the moment
have lost sight of their prey. But soon they
see her again over the top and beyond the
smoke curtain They are now chasing the air.
ship, instead Of closing bows on" which cuts
down their speed Of approach tremendously.
The group leader Of the more northerly at
lacking planes, only about 5000 yards from
the Akron, Is itching to give the signal to his
comrades to open IRE At this moment, how
ever, the gunnery officer at the "fre-control"
station on the Akron hears the captains COM
mand:
"Open up on the planes to the northl"
Instantly he sings out over the telephone:
Group three, open frel"
On the first burst of fire from 10 rapid-flre
guns on the Akron, each firing 500 bullets o
minute, half Of the attacking planes are started
down In flames or out Of control and several
more have collided In the confusion. The heavy
fring Of these guns has effect on the stability
OF the Akron, for the ship is as steady gun
platform" as any land fort. -
Six Of the enemy planes are still diving iM
the attack and have opened IRE with their
smaller caliher machine guns on the huge target
CaAkinHAA - Elnsrrteenth nnna