Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-18
BY MAJ. GEN. GEORGE OWEN
SOUIER. u. s. A., RETIRED.

ok NkfAJs 0EANs 0GOASN1 - W ~~~'
SQUIER, u. S. A., RETIRED.
wartime Chief Signal omcer and Chief Of
the American Air serviceo
To give an adequate idea of Amer
icas aviation program in the war 1t is
necessary to refer to certain lines OF
DEVELOPMENT some physical, some
chemical and some physiological-whl
were set in motion during the progress
Of our work.
One of the greatest scientific achieve
ments of the war from technical
standpoint was the production OF
helium In balloon quantities.
This gas, n-inf1ammable and with
about 90 per cent of the buoyant erect
of hydrogen, first was obtained IN
minute quantities by Ramsay in Eng
land some 80 years ago. Its preWar
scarcity may be appreciated from the
fact that up to 1917 not more IMAM
100 cubic feet had been obtained, ana
the usual selling price was around
S1,700 a, cubic foot.
Notwithstanding so d1scouraglng an
outlook, scme one in the BRUSH au-
rniralty had imagination enough to pro
rose the large-scale separation of hell
nm from certain natural gases IN
Canana that contain about one-thlrd OF
1 per cent of it., and experiments were
undertaken at the University OF Torcnto'
New Era for Dirigible.
Soon after the entry of the Unlteo
states into the war the Bureau OF
Mines. learning of the problem from
British confidential memorandum per
euaded the Signal Corps and the Bu-
reau of Steam Engineering of the Navy
fo approve and finance jointly an eX-
detrimental program on a large scale.
Thanks partly to the unusually rlcn
sources of supply in this country, ana
partlv to the skill of the two CONNER
cial countries whose services were en-
listed. and to the enthusiasm of the Blu
reau of Mines staff and OF Mr.. carter
of the Navy, who for time represented
the Army as well in the project, such
success was achieved that. at the cessa-
tion of hostilities, there was compressed
and on the dock ready for floating l47,-
900 cubic feet of nearly pure helium,
and plants were under construction to
give at least $4,000 cubic feet a day at
an estimated cost of not more than 10
cents cubic foot.
The production of a balloon gas that
assures safety from fire opened up a
new era for the dirigible.
In August, 1917. the chief signal Of
fcer directed Lieut. Col r. A. Millikan
to organize an Army meteorological and
Astrological service. the purpose of which
was to provide the A. E. F. with all
meteorological and astrological informa-
ton needed. to supply the aviation
fields, the Coast Artillery stations, the
ordnance proving grounds and the gas
warfare service with such data as might
be useful to them. and TO undertake for
the first time in world history the prob
lem of mapping the upper air currents
over the United States, the Atlantic and
Western Europe in aid of aviation, and
particularly with reference to transat-
lantic fight.
Data on Air Conditions.
In carrying out the first of these
projects there were selected approx
mately $50 men of high qualifications,
most Of them physicists or engineers,
who received a two months course in
meteorological and theological theory
and observations. Three hundred and
fourteen Of these men were sent over
seas, where they operated an effective
branch of the work in the American
Expeditionary Force. In addition to
furnishing general weather forecast
for the American Expeditionary Force.
this service supplied a meteorological
unit to each aviation post, each gas
service post, each artillery post and
each sound-ranging post of the Amer
lean Army In France.
For the accomplishment of the second
element of the program, % stations
manned by $50 men, all carefully pick
ed at the start and well trained at
College Station, Texas, were established
Tor furnishing local data as to either
surface or upper air conditions, or both
70 the flying fields, artillery posts and
proving grounds in this country. The
largest Of these stations was at Aber-
deem Proving Ground. which was man.
ned by ~ men, and it furnished to the
Bureau Of Ordnance all necessary data
Tor the determination of ballistic wind
winch, In view OF the DEVELOPMENT of
high-angle fire, had become altogether
indispensable for the construction of
range tables needed for obtaining ac-
euracy in the work of the artillery
In carrying out the third element
Of the program rs meteorological sta
lions were established at selected points
over the United States, from which
celegraphlc advices were sent to Wash
mgton each day on wind velocities at
al attitudes up TO $1,000 feet. On the
basis of these observations a daily fore
east OF upper-alr winds was issued.
Nerve Was Only Problem.
Until the war, interest centered in
the development of aircraft and not in
the flyer. There was little regard for
the special fitness of the man on the
cay and the hour he piloted his plane
Tnis was true not only in the United
States, but in the allied countries. The
pilot was not selected because of arv
peculiar fitness for flying. It simply
was question Of whether or not he had
the nerve.
About the time we entered the war
became clear that the science Of
physiology could be applied with adj
vantage to the selection, classification
and maintenance of the aviator. Each
OF the countries In the war established
air medical services as an integral part
OF the air forces. In the American
army THIS work was handled effectively
by a division Of the Surgeon Generals
once assigned as a part of the Air
Service.
The early view that any one who "had
Cne nerve could fly caused enorrnons
evoidable wastage OF life and material.
The lesson learned from bitter expert
ence was that 1t Is essential to obtain
myers who are especially fitted for this
particular work. and to keep them in
times. ' ~ on
The keynote of the American Aid
Medical Service was the handling Of the
flyer as an individual which naturally
brought the work into three main d.
visions: First. selection of the flyer:
second, classification of the flyer. and,
third, maintenance OF the physical eff
dciency of the flyer
The outset Of the war made it neces-
sary TO obtain large number Of mill
tary ayiators in the shortest possible
atne. Tine medical problem consisted OF
selecting men physically fit. To ac-
complish the best results comprehen-
eive program was undertaken, providing
for the Standardization Of both tests
and examiners. Sixty-seven military
units were established, each examining