Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-01
500 PLANES AWAIT
| CLEAR SKY FOR HOP
TO HOME STATIONS
Thick Weather Forces Pilots
of 1st Army Air Division
to Remain Here.
LOCAL FIELD CROWDED
BY RECORD GROUNDING
Group Demobilized After Review
Over Capital by 641 Ships.
Only Two Flyers Hurt.

Nearly 800 pursuit. observation anc
transport planes of the First Air Di-
vision were storm-bound at Bolline
Field today awaiting clear weather tc
cross the Alleghenies for home stations
in all parts OF the United States. This
is the largest number ever on the
ground at one time in the Capital.
Following unofficial rehabilitation OF
the huge air division yesterday, many
squadrons started for home from theil
temporary airdromes in Virginia. Mary
land, Delaware and Pennsylvania, ano
a number Of them already have re.
ported safe arrival
At the close of the divisional review
here Saturday. the final act in the life
of the division, 258 headquarters and
pursuit planes were parked at Boiling
Field. This number was augmented
yesterday by the 18th Observation
Squadron. Scott Field, ILL.,, which
stopped here to refuel before attempt
ing the mountain crossing. 1t was
ordered held here because Of thisk
weather ahead. Two-score giant. tri-
motored transport planes. 81 of them
flying in formation, came into Boiling
Field yesterday afternoon from Middle
town, Pa.
Army Navy Field Crowded.
The 18th Squadron and the transports
were parked on the Navy side of the
field in an unbroken line extending
from the golf course. at the north END
of the field to the Navy gate, making
solid masses Of planes on both sides OF
the field.
The transports brought mechanics
and supplies Of the pursuit squadrons
and the mechanics have been busy dur
ing lullS in the rain in going over the
little single-Seater combat planes in
preparation for the trip home. After
the 18th Squadron had been grounded
here orders were issued to seven other
observation Squadrons, which had ex-
pected to stop here for refueling, to
remain on the ground until the noun
tains were clear. to prevent dangerous
congestion Of the local field
Many of the National Guard squad
rons. stationed at Bellanca Field. New
castle, Del, started home yesterday.
Safe arrivals at home fields were re-
ported by the squadrons from MaSsa-
chusetts. Connecticut. New Jersey,
Maryland, Alabama. Pennsylvania and
Missouri. The Missouri Guardsmen
were forced to land at Confluence, Pa,
in the Alleghenies, for time yesterday,
but took advantage of a pause in the
storm to break through. They landed
at st. Louis at $50 o'clock last night.
Guardsman Hits Tree.
National Guard squadrons from Cali
fornia, Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee
spent last night at Birmingham, Ala.
choosing the Southern course to avoid
the dangerous mountain country. One
of the New York National Guard planes
Is in Washington, one at Baltimore and
three are at Wilmington
One Indiana Guardsman, attempting
to force his way through a mountain
storm, damaged his plane in forced
landing near Uniontown, Pa. He struck
a tree on a golf course. Pilot and
mechanic were slightly injured, accord
ing TO reports received here.
OF the Regular Army observation
squadrons at Langley Field, the 18th is
Maxwell Field Montgomery. Ala, hav-
ing arrived there last night: the elst
en- route to Crissy Field, Calf. is down
at Cumberland, Nd. and all others are
on the way home except the 18th, sta
toned at Fort Sam Houston. Tex, and
the 88th, Post Field, Oklahoma
The 18th Bombardment Squadron,
Rockwell Field, Calf, remained at
Langley with light bombers of the 7th
Bombardment Group. Planes Of the Sd
Attack Group, Fort Crockett, Calves
ton, Tex, are at Logan Field, Baltimore.
GAL Planes in Review Here.
Following rehabilitation OF the d.
vision yesterday, officers of the division
were able to compile reports showing
the results Of two weeks Of activity.
They revealed that of the 612 planes
scheduled to assemble at Dayton, Ohio.
to start the maneuvers, IL were forced
to return to home stations. Five planes
required major repairs during the two
weeks of grueling maneuvers and only
two were marked as unrepairable.
Seven planes were given minor re-
pairs en- route. continuing with the di-
vision. The total number of effective
planes at the time of Saturdays final
review here was Sal.
The casualty list showed only two
pilots had received any injuries. Up
to the time they were disbanded. planes
Of the division flew total of $500
hours, or a total Of approximately 81
$4,000 miles. There were 1,575,000
miles flown to each of the two casual
ties and 100000 miles were flown for
each accident resulting in damage to
planes.
The total personnel engaged included
100 pilots and ga enlisted men, or a
divisional strength of 1864. There
were, in addition, IL civilian employees.
The number of newspaper men with
the division averaged 40 at each main