The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



It was not until newspaper correspondents at the 

 front, in August, 1918, were constantly reporting the 

 escape by parachute of German officers from burning 

 or broken aeroplances that the Air Ministry, over- 

 whelmed by indignant protests from all sides that 

 our fighting officers had not similar protection, which 

 they had so frequently asked for, at last gave orders 

 for all military machines to be so provided. The 

 first 200 machines were in course of being fitted with 

 Guardian Angel Parachutes when the Armistice of 

 the Ilth November intervened to prevent the demon- 

 stration of their utilities in actual warfare. 



Mr. Calthrop was honoured by the King of Italy 

 with the Cross of Chevalier of the Order of St. Maurice 

 and St. Lazarus, in recognition of the exceedingly 

 valuable services rendered by his parachutes on the 

 Piave front in dropping secret service agents behind 

 the Austrian lines. This successful work was being 

 carried out at just the time when, in reply to 

 questions from hon. members urging that parachutes 

 should be adopted for life-saving purposes, the Under- 

 Secretary to the Air Ministry was repeatedly assuring 

 the House of Commons that " no parachutes suitable 

 for use from an aeroplane had yet been arrived at." 



I'7-inted by Mtller, Son d- Oonpy., Fakenhmn and London. 



