Stuart Walcott - Above the French Lines. Letters of Stuart Walcott, American Aviator; July 4, 1917, to December 8, 1917

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Text originally published in 1918 under the same title.

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ABOVE THE FRENCH LINES

LETTERS OF STUART WALCOTT, AMERICAN AVIATOR :

JULY 4, 1917, TO DECEMBER 8, 1917

Contents

IVAugust 11, 1917.

Stuart Walcott in His Aeroplane

Stuart Walcott at the Front

War Cross with Palm, Awarded in Recognition of Walcotts Service

ABOVE THE FRENCH LINES

It is now seven weeks since the dispatches from Paris reported that Stuart Walcott was attacked by three German airplanes and brought down behind the German lines, after he himself had brought down a German plane in his first combat on December 12, 1917, and that it was feared he had been killed; but even now, after the lapse of nearly two months, it is not definitely known whether his fall proved fatal, or whether the earnest hope of his friends that he is still alive may be realized. The reports are conflicting. A cable message of January 7 said that in Germany it was reported that S. Walcott had been killed by a fall on December 12 near Saint Souplet; but Dr. Walcott received a letter on January 19 which holds out some hope that the fall was not fatal and that his son may be a prisoner in Germany. This letter, dated December 17, is from a young aviator named Loughran, who was Stuart Walcotts roommate at the flying station. He gives this report of what was told to him by an observer and pilot who saw the combat:

On the 12th of December at 11:30 a. m., there were five pilots to go out on high patrol, including Stuart and myself. But I was prevented from going, because of a wrenched ankle. Stuart and the other pilots left here at 11:40 a. m. for high patrol, which means they are to fly above the thousand metres. Two of the pilots had to return because of motor trouble, leaving one pilot whom Stuart was following.

At 12:50 a. m. they ran across a German biplane machine. The French pilot attacked first, but had to withdraw because of trouble with his machine gun. He reports that the Spad [Stuart Walcotts machine], that had been following him, he last saw a thousand metres above him, or the German. Also that the German had gone back over his lines. The infantry and artillery observers report the French pilots attack and combat. And that six minutes later the German returned over our lines. And that the Spad that was seen flying at a very high altitude, came down and attacked the German, and succeeded in bringing him down in flames. In doing so he had to fly quite a way over the German territory. And that the Spad had started to return, when three German fighting machines were seen diving on him, and forcing him down. The Spad was last seen doing a nose-dive perpendicular, behind their lines. That is all the information I have received up to date.

This is what makes all the boys think that Stuart is alive:

A nose-dive perpendicular is used very often in combat, but is very dangerous, as it is very difficult for one to come out of and yet have their motor running; that reason might force him to land; also there was very little chance for him to get away from them by flying, as they were above, and the only sensible thing to do was to land; and as we were only three days in this secteur, the French think he might have been mixed up as to the direction for home; or that he was slightly wounded and could not turn his machine toward the French lines.

I have tried every way possible to get information about Stuart. I have sent the numbers of his motor and machine to Major S. yros, who is trying to trace it through the Red Cross service.

One of the French pilots of this escadrille, who is a very good friend of your boy, shot down a German biplane on 13th of December. The machine fell behind our lines. The pilot was dead before reaching the ground. But the observer was only slightly wounded, so the boys of that escadrille have asked the commander of the group if we could be permitted to go and talk to the German, as he may know something about the Spad that fell behind his lines the day before. We hope to know whether we will be permitted to do so or not, tomorrow.

It takes two months before we receive the report from Germany officially. In the meantime you will read all sorts of reports in the newspapers. But I will cable or have Capt. Peter Boal do so, if I get any news that is true.

The case of Buckley, the American who fell Sept. 5, was reported as being in flames from five thousand metres down, and fell in German territory. The observers reported that it landed on its back and burned completely. His parents were notified of his death; newspapers reported the terrible death he died. Well, Sir, on November 25 we received a letter from him, saying he was enjoying the best of health and was satisfied with his surroundings in the prison camp in Germany.

So we are all hoping the same for Stuart.

I have all Stuarts personal things, and will give them to Capt. Boal the first chance I get.

Mr. Walcott, it is beyond words for me to try and tell you how grieved we all are about Stuart, and how great a loss it is to the Escdrille, for him to be away. He was more than liked by every member and officer, and gave promise of doing great things, was always up in his machine trying to better himself in combat flying; there never was a minute that he was idle, if it was possible for him to fly. And never a more generous and kinder boy. Only the night before the patrol he last went out on, he gave me every care in the world, got up during the night to make sure I was comfortable and to do anything he could for my ankle.

From one who has been with Stuart through all his training, and room-mate on the Front,

Yours respectfully,

E. J . LOUGHRAN.

This letter was written before the cable dispatch of January 7, from the International Red Cross, which seems to establish definitely the fact that Stuart Walcott gave his life in support of the endeavor to make the world safe for democracy. In further and final evidence, a letter dated February 5, 1918, informed Dr. Walcott that the Red Cross agent in Paris had reported Stuart Walcotts grave has been found. An accompanying map from Loughran shows that the spot where Stuart Walcott fell is on a hill a little South of Saint Souplet.