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machine gun if we are attacked. One must be an expert with the wireless and camera and also with the machine gun. It is very interesting work and I think I shall like it very much.I made my first flight today. Was up only about an hour, but I must say I was disappointed. There was absolutely nothing to it--no new sensation or anything. You cannot tell when you leave the ground and when you get up there it is just like looking off the top of the wholesale house. However, with a few Boche machines about and an occasional shell I imagine it will be a trifle more interesting.
By the way, I was the only officer chosen from our brigade; we were chosen by the process of elimination--each major recommending an officer from his battalion--the colonel chooses one of these three and the general picked one of the three recommended by the colonels.
There is quite a school here; we have over two hundred machines, about twelve hundred cadets who are learning to be pilots and also the regular aviation bunch. There are nine of us in this school and we surely keep busy.
You ought to see me in my new flying costume--it is really quite chic.
I was in Paris over night, that is I got in there at 1 a. m. and left the next afternoon at 2:45 p. m. I stayed at the Y. M. C. A. hotel. Did not get a chance to see much of the city because of taking care of my baggage, buying clothes, etc. However, it did not anger me much for I had no desire to see it. Here is a beautiful little town--Tours. Some of the best chateaux in France are right here, and they are wonderful. I visited one of them last Sunday in company with a French captain who speaks English. It was really a very enjoyable little excursion. They call this the Garden Spot of France, and I guess it is in good weather, but right now it is as sloppy, muddy and rainy as any of it. However, it cleared off today and I think tomorrow will be a fine day and it may dry off a little.
How is everything with you? I trust you are all keeping well and happy and not bothering yourselves about the war. The first seven years will be the worst I imagine.
HARRY GRAINGER.
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LIEUT. JACK LYONS, Ex-'18
Today it is raining and consequently there is no flying, therefore, according to Bill Nye, there is plenty of time for letter writing and I am going to take advantage of that fact to keep one of my promises by writing one.
Am somewhere in France, very vague I must admit, nevertheless it is true. As I wrote you from the states, I have taken up aviation, and really it is splendid work. It is only a little time now until we receive our brevets or diplomas, and with them come our commissions. I think that I enjoyed my flight yesterday morning more than ever before. It was very cold in the air, but the panorama that flashed beneath me was perfectly beautiful. The plowed fields, the vineyards and the green pastures looked like a patched quilt, with here and there a farmstead or a village nestling down like a tiny flower or figure.
To be perfectly frank, it was just about the time the sun was coming up and as there was absolutely no wind, and the air being smooth, I sat back and enjoyed the scenery, hardly touching the controls. There is something so very wonderful about it all. Of course when the air is rough yours truly, being an amateur at the game of flying, has his hands full keeping Mr. Machine on an even keel.
French instructors taught us to fly alone, and truly they are a strange bunch of men. Very independent and cocky, yet thru it all they are courteous and patient, which indeed they needs must be if they teach us Americans. How are things back home? Oh, me, but I do get lonesome at times. Soon get all over it though, but believe me when I get through over here, no traveling abroad for me. I've had my fill, and suffice it to say that there are plenty of very appealing places for one to spend vacations without going abroad.
JACK.
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