Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/527

 Popular Science Monf/ili/

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��A few minutes later, watchers at the R. F. C. airdrome see the reconnaissance plane winging its way back home, and shortly it settles safely to earth outside the hangar.

The observer fills out his report on a blank similar to the specimen shown on page 508 and turns it in to G. H. Q. (General Headquarters). The filing of this report marks the conclusion of the Corps reconnaissance.

Army reconnaissance squadrons carry cameras and take photographs at many different points. One of these squadrons will often fly several hundred miles into enemy territory in order to gain desired in- formation. Instead of writing down single items as in Corps work,' the observers report the general impression gained from the entire trip. The reason for this is that there are sure to be many movements which are not important, when a large territory is covered. Army reconnais- sance observers study enemy airdromes, make a note of the number of hangars and planes on the ground and watch the move- ments in towns and large encampments. Rivers and canals are also looked for, particularly if there are any ships on them. The size and type of boat must be re- ported; also to which side it is nearer.

What the Observer Looks For in Army Reconnaissance

The railroads, highways, woods and towns are studied as in Corps reconnais- sance, except that an especial look-out is kept for hostile kite-balloons, "blimps," and aircraft. Each squadron is escorted by scout machines whose duty it is to keep off attacking planes. The pilot of an Army reconnaissance plane must not give offensive battle to the enemy. The scouts are there for that. Should an enemy plane get through the formation, however, it is the observer's duty to see the enemy first and open fire. If he doesn't it probably means that his plane will "crash," and not only will he arid his mate go down to death, but the records for which they risked so much will be destroyed.

Army reconnaissances are carried out at from one to twelve thousand feet, and strict orders are issued that there be no straggling. A favorite pastime of the Germans is to send three or more ma-

��chines into the air to look for our strag- glers. Perched high in the sky, generally about eighteen thousand feet, these hawks watch and wait. Suppose a fight- ing scout has motor trouble or wants to look around a little. He swings out of line and the others close in. Soon the squadron is almost out of sight, home- ward bound with the precious reports. The scout flies along at about fourteen thousand feet. Then down from their perch swoop the Germans. The rat-tat- tat of their machine-guns warns the allied pilot of his peril. He may down one or possibly two of his antagonists, but in the end he crashes to earth the loser in an un- equal fight. That is why R. F. C. orders read "Do not straggle; to do so m.eans the loss of pilot and plane."

In Corps reconnaissance the pilot does not run such a risk, as he flies over a com- paratively small territory and can gen- erally dash for home if attacked. Of course he has to contend with anti-air- craft shells and the possibility of a sur- prise attack from the air; but for all that his lot is easier than that of other pilots who venture far into enemy territory.

You will be astonished to learn that the average age of R. F. C. pilots doing reconnaissance work is twenty and of observers twenty-two. It requires young blood and muscle to stand the strain, risk and excitement of this branch of the air service. That results so far have more tkan justified expectations, is a tribute to the skill and bravery of these youngsters.

��Food Animals Killed on One Railroad in a Year Would Feed 70,000 Soldiers

A PLACARD posted on the premises of a certain railroad which runs through the Cotton Belt states that during the twelve months ending June, 1917, 2,792 head of cattle, horses and sheep were killed by the trains. This is the equivalent of one million pounds of food, and would be sufficient to feed seventy thousand soldiers for thirty days. This line operates only 1,809 miles of track, and that lies in the cotton country, where food animals are not produced to any large extent. What the returns would be for such states as Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, or Kansas one can only surmise.

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