PARIS, Sept. 24.
The two most romantic and brilliant features of the war, the two
things that have relieved it from being a dull record of close-range
slaughter, have been the use of flying machines and automobiles.
Flying machines may appear more romantic and spectacular to the
outsider, but those who have seen the war at close quarters are of the
opinion that the most astonishing and brilliant feats of arms have been
performed by motor cars.
The experience of Mlle. Helene Duclos, who annihilated practically a
whole German company with her automobile, is one of the many amazing
instances of the use of this comparatively novel instrument of war.
Other cases in the various warring countries have, perhaps, been
equally remarkable, but hers necessarily gains added interest from the
fact that she is a woman, and a very attractive one.
It has been shown that a high-powered armored motor car, running at
sixty miles an hour, can, under certain conditions, disorganize a whole
army and slaughter scores of soldiers. If driven into a body of men
in close formation and taken by surprise its powers of injury are
unlimited.
Armored cars have been used for the terribly difficult work of removing
barbed wire entanglements. The car runs up to the entanglements, throws
grapnel irons over them, and then backs away to uproot them. The
armored car can do this work under a fire that exposed men could not
live in.
Armored cars are employed in coöperation with flying machines. The
aviator brings information where a car can do most damage, and then
hovers overhead, giving warning to the motormen when they must retire
or, return for help if necessary. An armored car crew connected with
the British Naval Flying Corps has received honorable mention for
annihilating a whole party of Uhlans.
Some armored cars carry two machine guns and others a gun of larger
calibre.
Mlle. Duclos's motor exploit has made her the great heroine of the
moment. She has been decorated by General Joffre with the cross of the
Legion of Honor for her brilliant and heroic act.