East Coast Destroyed

Leaving Hampton Roads. Va., at dawn, 16 large Martin bombers flew in war formation to Bangor, Me., covering the distance of 800 miles in eight and a half hours. At Mitchel Field, L. I., the armada was reinforced by a squadron of fast De Havilands and single-seater fighters. Fully armed and equipped, the Martin bombers each carried from three to five men, camp equipment from cots to typewriters, enough food to last four days. Sometimes the commander, Major John N. Reynolds, took his fleet in single file, sometimes in V formation so close together that the wing tips seemed to touch. En route the planes went through offensive manoeuvres such as bombing planes would be called upon to do in case of war. Adopting offensive tactics, the bombers would swoop down upon some military objective such as a railhead or bridge and simulate their destruction. Had bombs of 2,000, 1,000 and 600 pounds been dropped over New Jersey a terrible scene of destruction would have met the eye. The coast line was closely followed, giving Atlantic City, New York, Boston an impressive sight. The East Coast was theoretically laid waste from end to end.