WAR

Sunday, September 17, 1916, the Jasta made its operational debut. The
aeroplanes were checked out and lined up on the turf in front of the canvas
tent hangars where the mechanics started the engines and ran them up. The
pilots, looking like teddy bears in their goggles and bulky flying togs, gathered
around Boelcke for final instructions and a last pep talk. They climbed into their
machines and took off. It was a bright clear morning and Boelcke soon spotted
a formation of British machines crossing the lines. Two flights—obviously bombers
with escort—B.E.2c's and F.E.2b's. Boelcke immediately began to climb to put
himself and his squadron above them and in the glare of the sun. They were
heading into German territory, so he would be able to pick his own time to jump
them. He shrewdly guessed that when they reached their target they would all be
looking down-—the time to attack.
Boelcke.
It worked just that way. When Boelcke waggled his wings and gave the hand
signal, every man had picked his target. The Jasta knifed down and cut the
enemy formation to ribbons.
Those British pilots who survived the fight reported that it was indeed a
tough lot of Huns that had beaten them up.
Early in 1916 Paul Tarascon, the one-footed pilot who had been Guynemer's
instructor, succeeded in getting himself posted to an operational squadron, N 31 at
Toul. In May he was transferred to N 3 to take part in the Battle of the Somme.
The squadron was then located in the forest of Cachy, near Villers-Bretonneux.
In August he brought down his first enemy aeroplane. He was, by the end of
summer, one of the most skillful and experienced pilots at the Front. He was an
excellent strategist and leader. More of a leader, in fact, than a fighter, he shared
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