Flying for France

J >> James R. McConnell >> Flying for France

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Sincerely, E. A. MARSHALL.

_Escadrille N. 124, Secteur Postal 182,_
_March 25, 1917._

DEAR PAUL:

The evening before last definite news was brought to us that a badly
smashed Nieuport had been found by French troops, beside which was the
body of a sergeant-pilot which had been there at least three days and
had been stripped of all identification papers, flying clothes and
even the boots. They got the number of the machine, which proved
without further question that it was poor Mac. They gave the location
as being at the little village of Petit Detroit, which is just south
of Flavy-le-Martel, the latter place being about ten kilometers east
of Ham on the railroad running from Ham to La Fere.

After having made a flight over the lines yesterday morning, I went
down around Petit Detroit to locate the machine. There was no decent
place there on which to land so I circled around over it for a few
minutes to see in which condition it (the Nieuport) was. The machine
was scarcely distinguishable so badly had it smashed into the ground,
and there is scarcely any doubt, Paul, that Mac was killed while
having his fight in the air, as no pilot would have attempted to land
a machine in the tiny rotten field--no more than a little orchard
beside the road--voluntarily. It seems almost certain that he struck
the ground with full motor on. Captain Thenault landed some distance
from there that he might go over there in a car and see just what
could be done about poor Mac's body. When he returned last night he
told us the following:

Mac, he said, was as badly mangled as the machine and had been
relieved of his flying suit by the damned boches, also of his shoes
and all papers. The machine had struck the ground so hard that it was
half buried, the motor being totally in the earth and the rest,
including even the machine gun, completely smashed. It was just beside
the main road, in a small field containing apple trees cut down by the
retreating boches, and just at the southern edge of the village.

Mac has been buried right there beside the road, and we will see that
the grave is decently marked with a cross, etc. The captain brought
back a square piece of canvas cut from one of the wings, and we are
going to get a good picture we have of Mac enlarged and placed on this
with a frame. I suppose that Thaw or Johnson will attend to the
belongings of Mac which he had written are to be sent to you to care
for. In the letter which he had left for just such an occasion as this
he concludes with the following words: "Good luck to the rest of you.
God damn Germany and vive la France!"

All honour to him, Paul. The world will look up to him, as well as
France, for whom he died so gloriously, just as it is looking up to
your fine brother and the rest of us who have given their lives so
freely and gladly for this big cause.

Warmest regards, etc.,

Faithfully,

EDMOND C. C. GENET.

P. S. The captain has already put in a proposal for a citation for
Mac, and also one for me. Mac surely deserved it, and lots more too.

_Escadrille N. 124, S. P. 182,_
_March 27, 1917._

DEAR PAUL:

I got your postcard to-day and would have written you sooner about
poor Jim but haven't been up to it, which I know you understand.

It hit me pretty hard, Paul, for as you know we were in school and
college together, and for the last four or five years have been very
intimate, living in N.C. and New York together.

It's hell, Paul, that all the good boys are being picked off. The
damned Huns have raised hell with the old crowd, but I think we have
given them more than we have received. The boys who have gone made
the name for the escadrille and now it's up to us who are left
(especially the old Verdun crowd) to keep her going and make the
boches suffer.

Like old Kiffin, Mac died gloriously and in full action. It was in a
fight with three Germans in their lines. Genet took one Hun (and was
wounded). The last he saw was a Hun on Mac's back. Later we learned
from the cavalry that there were two on Mac and after a desperate
fight Mac crashed to the ground. This was the 19th of March. Three
days later we took the territory Mac fell in and they were unable to
distinguish who he was. The swine Huns had taken every paper or piece
of identification from him and also robbed him--even took his shoes.
The captain went over and was able to identify him by the number of
his machine and uniform. He had lain out there three days and was
smashed so terribly that you couldn't recognize his face. He was
buried where he fell in a coffin made from the door of a pillaged
house. His last resting place (and where he fell) is "Petit Detroit,"
which is a village southwest of Saint Quentin and north of Chauney. He
is buried just at the southeast end of the village and in a hell of a
small town.

Jim left a letter of which I am copying the important parts:

"In case of my death or made prisoner--which is worse--please send my
canteen and what money I have on me, or coming to me [he had none on
him as the Huns lifted that] to Mr. Paul A. Rockwell, 80 rue, etc.
Shoes, tools, wearing apparel, etc., you can give away. The rest of my
things, such as diary, photos, souvenirs, croix de guerre, best
uniform [he had best uniform on and I think the croix de
guerre--however, you may find the latter in his things, his other
uniform can't be found], please put in canteen and ship along.

"Kindly cable my sister, Mrs. Followsbee, 65 Bellevue Place, Chicago.
It would be kind to follow same by a letter telling about my death
[which I am doing].

"I have a box trunk in Paris containing belongings I would like to
send home. Paul R. knows about it and can attend to the shipping. I
would appreciate it if the committee of the American Escad. would pay
to Mr. Paul Rockwell the money needed to cover express.

"My burial is of no import. Make it as easy as possible for
yourselves. I have no religion and do not care for any service. If the
omission would embarrass you I presume I could stand the performance.
[Note Jim's keen sense of humour even to death instructions.]

"Good luck to the rest of you. God damn Germany and vive la France.

"Signed,

"J. R. McCONNELL."

Jim had on the day of his death been proposed for the Croix de Guerre
with palm. When it comes I shall send it to you.

Well, Paul, I have told you everything I can think of, but if there
are any omissions or questions don't hesitate to ask.

I think we are now beginning to see the beginning of the end. The
devastation, destruction and misery the Huns have left is a
disgraceful crime to civilization and is pitiful. It drives me so
furious I can't talk about it.

Best regards to you, old boy, and luck. All join in the above. I shall
wind up the same as Jim.

As always,

CHOUT (Charles Chouteau Johnson).

P. S. Steve Biglow is taking canteen to your place in Paris to-morrow,
so you will find it there upon your return.

C. C. J.

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