Eddie Rickenbacker

Name: Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9
Author: Eddie Rickenbacker

Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (1919)

Summary

“Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9”, published in 1919, is a work by Eddie Rickenbacker. It explores elements such as Kurtz, fight and Chambers.

Quotes from Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (Eddie Rickenbacker)

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ It is not often that a man rises to the degree of joy I felt as we headed for home, the fight over, and all three safe. I had every reason to believe my German was down, possibly Chambers had got another, and Kurtz for his first time over had deported himself wonderfully.
I searched around for the pilot Kurtz, whom I regarded as being in my care, but to my surprise was unable to find him. I cruised around for a few minutes, searching in every direction, but not one plane could I see in the sky. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ No matter how much natural ability a man may possess, or how carefully he has been trained, his first experiences over the enemy lines, his first contact with enemy machines are rather trying to him. A moment's forgetfulness, a trifling foolhardiness, a slight miscalculation, and even a man who has been carefully and expensively trained and who possesses all the characteristics of a successful pilot, may fall before the skill of a more experienced enemy flyer. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ Often and often on the race track, with wide open throttle, every nerve taut, every pent-up ounce of energy concentrated in my arms, have I wished that I could infuse just a little more power into my engine, could give just a little more speed to my car, in order to draw away from the man whose car was creeping up to and overhauling mine inch by inch. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ The enemy had the advantage in height; they were three, probably all experienced men, while we were two fighters and one novice, who was catching sight of a German plane for the first time in his life. But the enemy pilots were inside our lines. Down below, several hundreds of men in the trenches were watching what to them was to be an equal fight—three Americans against three Germans. With their field glasses the French officers had picked out the black German crosses, and noted the red, blue and white rings of the U.S. machines. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ We were still flying the well-known Baby Nieuport single-seater "chasse" or fighting machine, equipped with a Gnome Monosoupape motor. It was then the best machine of its kind in service, although it had some faults undeniably. Having just arrived from the rear, Kurtz was not acquainted with the peculiarities of this machine. I therefore arranged for him to make a few short flights from our field and to practice frequent landings, so that if he ever should have sudden motor trouble he would be able to come down on any ground he found available. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ After a few days of this practice, he expressed himself as being capable of handling the machine under all circumstances and ready for that greatest adventure of the young pilot: that first trip over enemy's lines.
We agreed that Lieut. Kurtz should accompany Lieut. Chambers and myself on what is familiarly known as a voluntary patrol. Chambers and I were in the habit of undertaking these extra patrols when the regular day's work was over, provided we were still, to use an aviator's slang expression, "Mad at the Boche." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Eddie Rickenbacker, Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ I was to lead, Chambers on my left, and Kurtz 100 meters behind and above us. He was not to engage in a combat, should we meet with any Boche airmen, unless the advantage was with us. I have always made it a point to avoid a fight unless I can maneuver to get the best advantage. He was at all times to maintain his position behind and above us, playing the rôle of a spectator. He was instructed to try out his machine-gun occasionally with a few short bursts if he had his plane pointing towards Germany. ”

Eddie Rickenbacker

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Quotes from Fighting the Flying Circus — Chapter 9 (Eddie Rickenbacker)

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