SELECT BAND OF HEROES

Evening Star, Issue 23726, 6 November 1940, Page 9

SELECT BAND OF HEROES

MOMEY CANT BUY MEMBERSHIP A few weeks ago a young Royal Air Force flight sergeant found himself face to face with a host of German bombers over the North Sea. More than that, bombers with escort. Showing all tho courage that has made the R.A.F. a force to be feared by Hitler’s “ air armada,” the sergeant sent his Spitfire roaring in to the attack. Due—two—threo of the bombers wore sent crashing down to the rolling sea beneath. Then the Messerschmitts dived at the gallant lone fighter, bent on revenge. Although outnumbered by more- than eight to one, 'the 11.A.F. pilot was ready for them.

A Nazi fighter went tumbling seawards. Then, alas, a moment later the Spitfire burst into llamos and started a death-spin to tho waves; but the sergeant scrambled from his tiny cockpit, jumped—and floated safely down. Tho plucky fighter bad been spotted and a naval patrol boat raced to bin rescue. He stepped ashore—as a member of the Caterpillar Club. This club—institution, it you prefer it—is one of the most romantic and select band of heroes in the world. You cannot buy membership with money. Flection is automatic to every airman forced to use his parachute iu an effort to save his life. That is tho entrance fee—“ one bale out,” as flyers call a parachute jump. The Caterpillar Club was started years ago by two American journalists, Maurice Hutton and Verne Timmerraann. Inspired by an exciting jump for life, they decided to form a club. That was in the days when parachutes were in their infancy and a “ bale out ” was something extraordinary. The strange-sounding title of the Caterpillar Club owes its derivation to the fact that the caterpillar, when in danger of falling from a leaf or a twig, always throw's out a silken thread, by means of which it can swing to safety —From 1 Answers,’ London.