“ The "Yankee squadron" most daring of the aviators fighting with the Spanish loyalist swept over the rebel capital of Burgos Thursday night on a Christmas eve errand of death. The American filers led by Devil-may-care Bert Acosta escorted a fleet of bombers in a raid against one of the insurgents' most heavily fortified positions. They carried hundreds of incendiary bombs to drop on hangars and munitions dumps around Burgos in an effort to destroy General Francisco Franco’s fighting planes and shells which have wrecked much of Madrid. ”

“ Many mourned for husbands wives and children killed by bombers. Many of those killed and wounded Thursday night were members of the lower classes who made a grim pretense to carry on the 1000-year-old custom of parading with noisy instruments and song. The pinch of poverty was evident everywhere. The fruit market on the Calle Mayor which usually is swamped at holiday time was in ruins. Brandy, whisky, and rum were not to he obtained. Thousands Meatless. Thousands of families were too poor to buy meat for the feast of Navidad or presents for their children. ”

“ One of them formerly flew a plane owned by a New York newspaper. Upon their arrival at Barcelona however it was discovered none ever had flown a fighting ship or knew the tricks of "dog fighting" in the air. Instead of sending them back to the United States the loyalist authorities gave them antiquated Breguet and Dragon planes and organized them into a liaison squadron. Behind the rebel lines, Pious Navarre Carlists held midnight field masses and in the Basque territory priests moved among loyalist troops saying masses. ”