AEROPLANE PARACHUTES.
Although our own authorities have so far not, I believe, approved any device for using parachutes with aeroplanes, the Germans are using them. Two cases are reported from the fighting of the last three days of German aviators in Fokker biplanes, after being shot down by our men, escaping from their falling machines by parachute.
Apparently the parachute, which is made of white silk, and is smaller than the balloon parachute, opens automatically by air pressure as the machine rushes downwards through the air, and automatically pulls the aviator out of his seat.
In one case it was observed that the parachute did not seem to begin to operate until the machine had fallen at least 2,000 feet.
Among other devices now used by the enemy appear to be gas masks for both messenger dogs and pigeons, as well as horses.
Evidence continues to accumulate of the immense damage done by our bombing aeroplanes since the German advance last March as we go through masses of documents recently captured. It is a common topic in letters from soldiers at the front to those at home, and various instances, besides those I have mentioned in former dispatches, are given of our bombs getting direct hits on shelters of various sorts and causing heavy loss of life, and on trains. One of the latter hit a mail train, when a large quantity of mail and valuables were destroyed.
From sources other than German documents we have new confirmation of stories of German brutality in the deportation of Belgian women to Arvennes and elsewhere. They appear to have been shamefully treated and unprotected against the lust of the soldiery. Information on this unpleasant subject is specific.
High gales have been blowing for the greater part of the last 24 hours and some light local showers of rain have fallen. With this exception, the weather generally continues fair.
The Daily News - Monday, August 19, 1918
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