Eddie Rickenbacker

Name: Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32
Author: Eddie Rickenbacker

Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (1919)

Summary

“Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32”, published in 1919, is a work by Eddie Rickenbacker. It explores elements such as Spad, pilot and Fokker.

Quotes from Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (Eddie Rickenbacker)

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (1919)

“ The two machines actually telescoped each other, so violent was the impact. Wings went through wings and at first glance both the Fokker and Spad seemed to disintegrate. Fragments filled the air for a moment, then the two broken fusilages, bound together by the terrific collision fell swiftly down and landed in one heap on the bank of the Meuse!
For sheer nerve and bravery I believe this heroic feat was never surpassed. No national honor too great could compensate the family of Lieutenant White for this sacrifice for his comrade pilot and his unparalleled example of heroism to his Squadron. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (1919)

“ It is not a pleasure to see a burning aeroplane descending to earth bearing with it a human being who is being tortured to death. Not unmixed with my relief in witnessing his safe jump was the wonder as to why the Huns had all these humane contrivances and why our own country could not at least copy them to save American pilots from being burned to a crisp! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (1919)

“ I was agreeably surprised, however, to see that my first shots had set fire to the Hun's fuel tank and that the machine was doomed. I was almost equally gratified the next second to see the German pilot level off his blazing machine and with a sudden leap overboard into space let the Fokker slide safely away without him. Attached to his back and sides was a rope which immediately pulled a dainty parachute from the bottom of his seat. The umbrella opened within a fifty foot drop and settled him gradually to earth within his own lines. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (1919)

“ The Fokker leader had taken on the rear Spad in White's Formation when White turned and saw him coming. Like a flash White zoomed up into a half turn, executed a renversement and came back at the Hun leader to protect his pilot from a certain death. White was one of the finest pilots and best air fighters in our group. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (1919)

“ On my way down I glanced around me and saw approaching us from Metz in quite the opposite direction another formation of eight Fokkers. Certainly the Huns had wonderful methods of information which enabled them to bring to a threatened point this speedy relief. While I debated an instant as to which danger was the most pressing I looked below and discovered that the enemy balloon men were already engaged in pulling down their observation balloon, which was the object of our attack back of Dun-sur-Meuse. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (1919)

“ Then with Coolidge and Chambers ahead of us, the united force would proceed first to the Dun balloon, where we would protect the two Strafers against Hun aeroplanes while they went in to attack their objective. Then, after destroying the first, if circumstances permitted, we should proceed on to Aincreville, destroy that balloon and beat a retreat straight for home. If Coolidge and Chambers encountered any hostile aircraft they were instructed to avoid fighting, but retire immediately to the protection of our formation. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (1919)

“ We left the Hun Maltese Cross and all their markings exactly as we found them and after telephoning about to the various American aerodromes in our vicinity that they must not practise target shooting at a certain Hanover aeroplane that they might encounter while wandering over our part of the country, we took the machine up to see how it flew. The Hanover was a staunch heavy craft and had a speed of about one hundred miles an hour when two men (a pilot and an observer) were carried. ”

Eddie Rickenbacker

Summary

Quotes from Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 32 (Eddie Rickenbacker)

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