Gibbons/Kemper/Yancey Family Letter Series |
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| Envelope: | Address:
|
| Sender: | Robert Gibbons Yancey [See
Robert Gibbons Yancey in
Guide to Individuals]
|
| Recipient: | Robert's mother, Mary Ashby (Gibbons) Yancey) |
| Date Written: | May 12, 1918 |
| Location: | Austin, TX |
| Surnames mentioned: | None specifically |
| Locations mentioned: | Kelly Field, Roanoke VA, Cedar Bluff VA |
Sunday
May 12, 1918.
Dearest Mother,
Expect you have rec'd my telegram by now. Hope all are well and will keep so. We are all feeling fine. It is a beautiful Sunday and Jim and I and a boy from Roanoke are going to church.
I made my "G" week all O.K. Made four "G's" and three "VG's". Five more weeks and it will all be over. You asked me about how many times I had gone up. When I was at Kelly Field I went up about 9 or 10 times. But I was with some Lt's who were good fliers. It is the grandest thing in the world. 5000 ft. was the highest we got up tho. And that is nothing considering that most of the fighting in places at the front now is done now at an altitude of 25,000 ft. The higher you go the better chance you have in case anything happens. As you see if you are 1000 ft. up over the German lines and your engine fails you, you can glide 6000 ft. back over on your own soil. The ratio is 1:6. So that is why you get as high as you can. And to (sic) perhaps I should not be telling you all of this stuff that is handed us here confidentially but I know you want to know something of the aviation work. They are working on a parachute which the aviator takes with him and in case his plane is wrecked in flight he can throw his parachute out and get down safe. Everything is done for the safety of the man.
When I went up at Kelly Field we went at the rate of 100 M.P.H but you do not feel it as much as if you were on the ground at that speed. Who told you that I had been up at Kelly Field. I was not going to tell you as I thought perhaps you would worry a little. But Mother just remember this I am trying to live the right life and in case of an [unfornate at ??] Flying School I will be better prepared to leave this world. But it is absolutely foolish to think about such things as I am going to be careful at all times.
Jim got 25 in "Engines" this week and I was so afraid that he was going to be put out. But they gave him extra practise this week and let him stay here. He has certainly got to get down to studying this week because I am going to do my best to make him. He can make this school if he gets down and works hard.
Had a letter from Mrs. W.B. the other day and enjoyed hearing from them so much. Mother she is going to make Wm a fine wife. Suppose the girls are beginning to get ready for their final exams. Hope they get thru all O.K. The ladies at Austin gave a white flower to each Cadet this morning. When we went into (sic) breakfast the flower was at our plate. It was mighty sweet in (sic) them too; I am going to wear mine today and then send it home to you. Do you remember where Wm and I were last Mothers Day's (sic), at Cedar Bluff Va. Quite a distance from Austin, Texas.
Well as it is getting near church time I will close for this time with love to all and many kisses.
Your devoted son
Bob
S.M.A.
Austin, Texas.
Barracks K-201.
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