ed at once as the most dangerous
enemy of the submarine and the most efficient ally of troops in the
field. No number seemed too great for the needs of the entente
allies, and their eagerness to increase their flying force was
strengthened by the knowledge of the fact that Germany was building
feverishly in order that its fleet in the air might not be
eclipsed.

Perhaps the best description of an idealized aviator was given by
Lieutenant Lufbery, of the Lafayette Escadrille, who came to the
United States to assist in training the new corps of American flying
men. Lufbery himself was a most successful air fighter--an "ace"
several times over. Though French by lineage, he was an American
citizen and had been a soldier in the United States Army. In October
of 1917 his record was thirteen Boches brought down within the
allied lines. In the allied air service one gets no credit for the
defeated enemy plane if it falls within the enemy lines.

While young Americans were being drilled into shape for service in
the flying corps, Lufbery gave this outline of the type of men the
service would demand:

It will take the cream of the American youth between the ages of
eighteen and twenty-six to man America's thousands of airplanes,
and the double cream of youth to qualify as chasers in the
Republic's new aerial army.

Intensive and scientific training must be given this cream of
youth upon which America's welfare in the war must rest.
Experience has shown that for best results the fighting aviator
should be not over twenty-six years old or under eighteen. The
youth under eighteen has shown himself to be bold, but he lacks
judgment. Men over twenty-six are too cautious.

The best air fighters, especially a man handling a chaser, must
be of perfect physique. He must have the coolest nerve and be of
a temperament that longs for a fight. He must have a sense of
absolute duty and fearlessness, the keenest sense of action, and
perfect sight to gain the absolute "feel" of his machine.

He must be entirely familiar with aerial acrobatics. The latter
frequently means life or death.

Fighting twenty-two thousand feet in the air produces a heavy
strain on the heart. It is vital therefore that this organ show
not the slightest evidence of weakness. Such weakness would
decrease the aviator's fighting efficiency.

The American