Evening star., 1941-08-12
By PAUL PATTERSON,
Publisher of the Baltimore Sun.

Publisher of the Baltimore Sun.
LONDON, Aug. II (NAN.AO.-
Headlines in daily paper read:
"R. A. F. hits four Nazi ships.
Sweep on convoy"
These headlines tersely conclude
the sequel to one day spent with a
fighter squadron of an r. A. F. out
fit of Spitfire pilots whose deeds
have commanded unstinted admira-
ton.
Such a day starts very quietly.
The American visitor reports to the
Air Ministry in London. He is
taken in charge by squadron
leader, former newspaper man,
who reveals that years ago he
sought to start newspaper work by
applying for a position on the Baltl-
more Sun.
After an hours drive out of Lon
don, the visitor is received at a
military airport which prides itself
on being the objective of more
blitzes than any other in England
and having record of more Ger
man planes knocked down than any
other. He is warmly greeted by
officers in command, who proceed
to show everything about the
method Of operation. To one who
has seen the new film issued by the
Ministry of Information, entitled,
Target for Tonight" it is familiar
and understandable.
Curious About Crossing.
Fundamentals disposed of, new
interest is developed with adjourn
ment to a bar for quick one" be-
fore lunch. Instantly the visitor Is
engaged in lively and humorous
conversation with a group of lads
showing keen interest mainly in
how the American visitor had got
to England, and eager for details of
how it feels to fly across a long
stretch of water such as the At
lantic Ocean.
Prize comment of the day comes
from pair who insist in all serious
ness that they wouldn't care to
hazard a fight across the Atlantic
They deny they are pulling the leg
of the visitor and insist they
wouldn't care to chance it.
After all, it's such a short hop
over the English Channel"
No swank in this. Just emphasis
on the different viewpoint.
A handsome blond giant is intro
duced and takes delight in deposit
ing the somewhat bulky form of the
visitor in the cockpit of his pet Spit
fire, which a few hours later was to
be on deadly mission somewhere
over the coast of France.
This is the stick, you know" says
the blond giant.
This little gadget is the selective
control of the two cannons and the
machine guns. You can fire either
the cannon or the machine guns OF
all three. Personally, I just go fol
all three teats tpilot's slang for the
firing buttons) and let Jerry have
the works.
once my finger slipped. Just
caught the machine-gun teat when
was wanting the cannon. Awfu
letdown, you know, when you just
get that rat-rat sound instead of one
good hearty bang of the cannon.
Crashproef Windshield.
That windshield is pretty fine
piece of goods. Very thick. Rearlly
crashproof against cannon. It's one
thing the Germans have not
matched up on. Don't make any
mistake, though, there's good stuff
in their One-o- Mines (MeSserschmitt
109)."
Back to the messroom for tea.
with all ranks mingling as in the
quiet Laformality of a club or fra
ternity house. Deepest impression
so far Is the quiet efficiency of the
organization, particularly the fresh
wholesome, healthy appearance OF
pilots.
The same atmosphere of unreality
pervades which is characteristic OF
wartime London. Apologies are Of
fered that it is such a quiet day
Weather conditions are unfavorable
for show; no sweeps are indi-
Gated. (Sweeps are general scouting