CHAPMAN, Charles Wesley, Jr. 1895-1918

CHAPMAN

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 5/30/2010 at 17:32:35

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
4 May 1918
Page 1

Waterloo Flier Falls In Flame In German Lines

Lieut. Carl W. Chapman Shoots Down His Adversary Before Own Mishap

His Survival Doubted; Duel A Thrilling One

Ships of Both Aviators Burst Into Fire as Machine Guns Loosed Their Murderous Bullets.

All flags in Waterloo will fly at half mast this afternoon and tomorrow in patriotic and sympathetic homage to the heroic conduct of Carl W. Chapman.

Lieut. Carl W. Chapman, Waterloo aviator, age 22, fell in flames behind the German lines yesterday on the battlefield of France after a desperate air encounter in which he shot down his adversary. That he could not survive the fall was practically certain. If death occurred, he is the first hero from Waterloo to give up his life in the fight for world democracy.

The parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Chapman, of Hotel Russell-Lamson, were apprised of the tragedy at 1:30 a.m. today by an uncle of the victim, Oliver Chapman. The mother's health has been frail for several months but she is bearing up well under the strain. Owing to the nature of Carl's work, relatives had steeled themselves against just the kind of contingency which has arisen. They realized that any day might bring a message of sadness but like millions of others had hoped the day would not come.

The following details of the fight were sent direct from headquarters of the American army in France, by the Associated Press:

"In a desperate air fight over the American lines northeast of Toul today, Charles W. Chapman, jr., of Waterloo, Ia., and a German pilot, with whom he was fighting, plunged to earth inside the German lines, both their machines wrapped in flames.

"Five American pilots, in fast pursuit machines, were patrolling over the American lines when they encountered a German formation of an equal number of airplanes and promptly attacked.

Chapman Fought Alone

"Chapman singled out one of the enemy single-seaters and they moved off, battling desperately. Suddenly both the machines were seen to burst into flames and almost at the same time plunged to the earth behind the German line.

"The four remaining American pilots chased the other enemy machines back over their territory but all of them escaped. The four American machines returned safely.

"It was shortly after 9 this morning when the American patrolling machines left the ground one after the other. They circled above the hangars until they got into a V shape formation. Then, with the roar of motors, they hit for the line.

Americans Start Fight

"They had patrolled the section once and were starting on a second tour when sparkling specks were seen in the sky far away within the German lines. The American airmen turned quickly, but kept their formation. The men in the front lines watched the two formations and saw the German group continue on its course and the American planes starting out to head them off. The American pilots soon recognized the other formation was German and went up higher, but the enemy did not seem to see them until the Americans were almost overhead.

"Suddenly the American formation took a dive toward the Germans, who swung about sharply. Then the machine guns came into action and the battle was on, while watchers on the ground were unable to tell which was which as all ten machines darted in and out, up and down, and turned and banked.

Fire Marks Trail Downward

"Then one machine, a German, left the formation and another, in which was Chapman, followed, his gun spitting bullets. The German banked and Chapman did likewise, while both were pouring lead into each other. Two bursts of flame were seen and the machines went spinning down, long tails of fire and smoke streaming out behind them.

"Chapman's companions continued the battle with the Germans, each engaging one of the enemy. The Germans, however, soon lost all stomach for the fighting and one after another turned and fled homeward, diving, spinning and zigzagging to escape the American bullets.

"The American fliers returned home saddened over the loss of their comrade, the first of their number to fail to return after getting his foe. Chapman was very popular and was regarded as an excellent pilot.

Probably First Fight

Three weeks ago the parents got a letter from the young lieutenant in which he stated he had qualified some time ago for actual aerial battle and at that time was eagerly awaiting the moment when he could fly over the lines and engage the enemy. At the time of writing he was in Paris, ready to take a plane to headquarters and relatives believe he may have been assigned to that machine for service.

Enlisted Year Ago

Altho known among his friends as "Carl," his full name was Charles Wesley Chapman, jr., and under this name he enlisted a year ago in April while at Amherst college in Massachusetts. Together with a half dozen college men he entered the ambulance corps and was sent to France. After looking over the field abroad the boys decided they could be of more service to their country as aviators and accordingly began training. They became attached to the Lafayette escadrille with which they remained until three months ago when they were transferred to the sector under American jurisdiction.

Brother Ready For Service

A brother, Joe, now is in New York ready to sail for France as a member of the ground branch of the aviation corps. He tried to get into the actual flying service but was declined on account of his eyesight. He holds a commission as second lieutenant. A sister, Miss Marian Chapman, is in New York City undergoing training for Red Cross work. A brother, James, resides in Sioux City.

Lieut. Carl Chapman was born in Dubuque, Dec 29, 1895, therefore would not attain his 23rd anniversary of birth until next December. He came with his parents to Waterloo in 1901, when his father engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of the Chapman Lumber company. He resided here continuously until entrance into Amherst college.

Lieut. Chapman is a grandson of J. B. Powers, at one time a judge in this district and later a resident of Dubuque.

Good School Record

Chapman graduated from west high in 1914. During his four years at the old rose and black institution he compiled an enviable record, both as a student and an athlete. He played at halfback on the football team three years and was captain in 1913. While not a sensational performer, he was very consistent in his play and was one of the best offsensive backfield men ever developed in local high school gridiron circles. He was also a meber of the debating team.

"Carl was an excellent student and an all 'round fine fellow," A. T. Hukill, superintendent of the west schools, said today. "While all who knew him will regret this tragic affair, they will derive some consolation from the fact that he was in the discharge of his duty when it occurred."

A memorial service for Chapman probably will be held at west high next week if his death is verified and a gold star will replace the silver star representing Chapman in the school's service flag.

Fourth Waterloo Victim

If his fall ended fatally, Lieut. Chapman is the first Waterloo martyr to the maw of the ravenous kaiser. Three other local boys have been wounded, however. The first was Corporal Lewis E. Diets, wounded in action in France March 5. The next was Lewis A. Simons, injured in battle the same date. The third was Earle P. Nelson, radio expert, badly mangled in an explosion on the battleboat Manley following a collision.

Waterloo Times-Tribune
Waterloo, Iowa
5 May 1918
Page 10

Planning Memorial for Waterloo's First World's War Hero and Victim

Waterloo Citizens and Organizations Plan Memorial For Carl Chapman Who Was Killed in German Air Battle Friday -- Parents Have Not Received Official Notice from the Government At Washington

Grief Stricken Father Says "He Did Not Have A Chance"

Lieut. Chapman Was Transferred From Lafayette Flying Squadron to American Squadron Three Months Ago -- Uncle Says It Was Probably His First Air Fight.

Waterloo citizens are preparing to pay tribute to the city's first world war hero Lieut. Charles ("Carl") W. Chapman, who thru his bravery and courageousness lost his life in an aerial battle on the French front some time Friday. The Commercial clubs, the Service league, the Red Cross, churches and other organizations are making combined plans for the holding of memorial services in honor of the gallant youth who gave his life so willingly for his country's cause.

Immediately after the news had permeated Waterloo homes Saturday morning and the citizens had time to recover from the shock of the tragedy, various civic and patriotic organizations of the city started preparations for holding memorial services. The officials of the organizations conferring in an informal manner Saturday and definitely decided that memorial services would be held. According to present plans it is intended to hold the services next Sunday afternoon at the Chautauqua Coliseum.

No Message From Government.

The grief-stricken parents and relatives received no official communication from the government at Washington Saturday regarding the tragic death as given in the Associated Press dispatches early Saturday morning from its correspondent with the American army in France.

However, they have practically abandoned all hope of their son emerging from the vivid and spectacular engagement alive.

Anxious to Get in the Fight.

Carl graduated from the West High school in 1914. During his four years at this school he made an enviable record as a student and all-round athlete. He played half back on the football squad and was captain of the team in 1913.

After a vacation following his graduation from high school he left for Amherst university in the fall of 1914. He remained in the university until March 10, 1917.

He and other university students went to New York City and took two weeks' training in an engine factory and then went to Paris, France, for the purpose of enlisting in the French ambulance corps. They succeeded in gaining entrance in April of the same year.

Ambulance Corps Too Tame.

He joined what was known as the Lafayette French flying squadron and received all of his aerial training in this celebrated military organization of the French army. His action in joining this department of the army was in view of the fact that the ambulance corps was regarded by the French populace as a department for cripples and old men. They held the young Americans, several from Amherst university, in disdain for being members of the ambulance driver's corps.

Carl and his American chums decided that the French people had formed a correct opinion of the ambulance contingents. They desired to get "in the thick of the fight" and take part in active engagements and contrived to get transferred to the Lafayette flying squad. He joined this squad shortly after his arrival, being in the ambulance corps less than three weeks.

Transfer to American Squadron.

Young Chapman secured a transfer from the French or the LaFayette flying squadron in February of the present year. He was with his native countrymen three months prior to the fatal accident Friday.

Oliver Chapman, uncle of Carl, stated yesterday he had received numerous letters from his nephew. In a recent letter he told of a trip to Paris after an American flying machine, but after his arrival in Paris the expected machines had not arrived.

Probably His First Air Fight.

He said his nephew had stated in this letter that he had returned to the American flying corps headquarters minus the United States machines but that he expected to return to Paris in a few days and return thru the air with the American aeroplane.

The uncle stated this letter arrived in Waterloo about two weeks ago and is the last letter that he has received from him. However, he believes others are now en route and may arrive in the next few days.

It is believed by his parents and relatives that Friday's engagement was the first air fight that Carl was ever engaged in and that it proved to be his last.

Lieut. Chapman received a commission of second lieutenant in February of the present year, immediately after securing a transfer from the French or Lafayette squadron.

Waterloo Times-Tribune
Waterloo, Iowa
5 May 1918
Page 10

Lieut. Carl Chapman Foresaw Sorrow In American Homes

Carl Chapman was not afraid of death. He had been trained during his entire life to hold his ground. He was successful in athletics because of his ability to uphold the reputation of the institution which he represented. He was carefree, but at the same time he realized the seriousness of the situation. The closing paragraph of the following letter published in the current issue of the Spectator, the West High publication, indicates he foresaw the dark outlook ahead:

December 27.
I never realized what letters meant until I got over here. Any news from home is music to my ears and the stretches between letters -- sometimes two weeks -- are in life what the Dark Ages are in history. Tonight most of the ten Americans have letters -- some boxes -- from home, consequently the meal tonight was unusually animated. In a few days we will be back to our old topics, viz.: how rotten the food is -- it is really first rate --; speculation as to how much food is left in Germany; what's going to happen in Russia and Italy; when the United States will get under way, and many other topics which we know nothing about and consequently get into red hot fights over.

You asked me to tell you something about the "sensations" of flying. As a source of sensations I think it is a fizzle -- nothing to compare with a close game of golf or chess. I have found myself at times on the point of drowsiness when some few thousand meters in the air and have wished fervently I could go down. As for feeling thrilled because of height, it is surprising how safe you feel strapped in a 15 meter Nieuport and so high that you look like a speck from the ground. The highest I have been is 5,000 meters (16,000 feet) and I got no particular sensation of height at all. The greatest sensation of height I ever got was the first time I took a machine ten meters of the ground. When I felt myself pass into space and looked down at the ground, it looked as far from me as the earth must look to the angels.

However, there are some thrills especially for a new pilot. The first time I did acrobatics I had such a series of thrills that I experienced the sensation which comes to many ocean goers and, to paraphrase a nautical term, I fed the birds. This incident happened at Pau down in the Pyrenees where I was learning how to do stunts that would win me a fortune at the Cedar Valley fair. I was feeling so cocky before I went up that I told the monitor I would like to do all my acrobatics in one trip. Someone had told me this was the way to make a good impression and as his recommendation would help me to get a "Spad" I thought it worth while. So I went up to 1500 meters and started. First I did two "Vrelles" -- this sends your nose down and whirls you around on your longtitudinal axis, meanwhile dropping faster than the Singer building elevator. After that I did what I was told to do but didn't have the least idea just what I was doing.

There are some other thrills. For instance if you can imagine a view from three or four thousand meters of a plain cut into a small cultivated patches that make it look like a patch quilt with small villages scattered here and there, with winding rivers cutting the plain, with mountains topped with snow in the distance -- if you can imagine all this with the sun on it making the white villages stand out against the gray ground, making the rivers glisten so that you can see them for miles, so far in fact that they seem to flow right up to heaven, and giving the snow-capped mountains an incomparable splendor; if you can imagine this you can see what I used to see while flying at Pau every day. Sometimes you will get some very striking views while flying above the clouds -- you may have seen such as an effect while up in the mountains. But for real thrills, the way to get them is to fly near the ground. There you get some idea of your speed which you lose at any height. While at Pau I used to sail up the mountain valleys and come down low over each village and have a great time watching the people run out of their houses to see what was making all the racket up above.

Things look rather bad now. It looks like it is goodbye to the United States for some months yet. But let Russia and Italy fall out, the United States is a bigger load than both together and altho our newly made officers may cost us 200,000 men, we will learn, and when we learn we will be better than the Canadian troops, which have the "rep" of being the best on the English front.

There will be a lot of sorrow in the states before this is over. Everyone is in black. But I must say the people keep their sorrow well hidden. The people at home will have a harder time as we are too far away to have a chance to come home on furlough. I met a Canadian officer who came here two years ago -- thot he was getting in on the last days of the war. He has never been back nor can he go back until the end. You can tell some of the soldiers who are in a hurry to come across to take their time as the war looks like a permanent institution.
Sincerely yours,
Carl Chapman.