Like A Thunderbolt: The Lafayette Escadrille And The Advent Of American Pursuit In World War I [Illustrated Edition]

Nonfiction, History, Germany, European General, Military, United States
Cover of the book Like A Thunderbolt: The Lafayette Escadrille And The Advent Of American Pursuit In World War I [Illustrated Edition] by Roger G. Miller, Tannenberg Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Roger G. Miller ISBN: 9781786252470
Publisher: Tannenberg Publishing Publication: November 6, 2015
Imprint: Tannenberg Publishing Language: English
Author: Roger G. Miller
ISBN: 9781786252470
Publisher: Tannenberg Publishing
Publication: November 6, 2015
Imprint: Tannenberg Publishing
Language: English

Includes 29 Illustrations

The advent of an American squadron, or “escadrille,” within the French air force, the Service Aeronautique, had been far from a simple process. French leaders initially held the belief, common at the time, that the war begun in 1914 would be a short one. The potential value of American volunteers fighting for France both for propaganda purposes and for helping bring the power of the New World into the war on the side of the Allies was thus irrelevant at first. By early 1915, however, the French began to accept American volunteers and assign them to escadrilles. In early 1916, the Service Aeronautique united several of these men in an elite chasse unit, which quickly earned an enviable reputation for audacity, bravery, and élan.

Success of this unit, the Lafayette Escadrille, had three consequences. First, its existence encouraged a large number of Americans, far more than needed in one escadrille, to volunteer for French aviation. These individuals, identified unofficially as members of a “Lafayette Flying Corps,” served in numerous French air units. Second, the publicity surrounding the Lafayette Escadrille contributed favorable press for the Allied cause, strengthened ties between France and the U.S., and ultimately helped prepare the U.S. to participate on the Allied side of the conflict. Third, the existence of a large body of experienced American pilots provided combat veterans for the Air Service of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France when the U.S. ultimately entered the war. These veterans helped instill in the U.S. Air Service the attitudes and practices of the Service Aeronautique, an infusion especially reflected in two U.S. pursuit squadrons, the 103rd Aero Squadron, made up of Lafayette Escadrille pilots, and the 94th Aero Squadron, the most famous American combat squadron of the war.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Includes 29 Illustrations

The advent of an American squadron, or “escadrille,” within the French air force, the Service Aeronautique, had been far from a simple process. French leaders initially held the belief, common at the time, that the war begun in 1914 would be a short one. The potential value of American volunteers fighting for France both for propaganda purposes and for helping bring the power of the New World into the war on the side of the Allies was thus irrelevant at first. By early 1915, however, the French began to accept American volunteers and assign them to escadrilles. In early 1916, the Service Aeronautique united several of these men in an elite chasse unit, which quickly earned an enviable reputation for audacity, bravery, and élan.

Success of this unit, the Lafayette Escadrille, had three consequences. First, its existence encouraged a large number of Americans, far more than needed in one escadrille, to volunteer for French aviation. These individuals, identified unofficially as members of a “Lafayette Flying Corps,” served in numerous French air units. Second, the publicity surrounding the Lafayette Escadrille contributed favorable press for the Allied cause, strengthened ties between France and the U.S., and ultimately helped prepare the U.S. to participate on the Allied side of the conflict. Third, the existence of a large body of experienced American pilots provided combat veterans for the Air Service of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France when the U.S. ultimately entered the war. These veterans helped instill in the U.S. Air Service the attitudes and practices of the Service Aeronautique, an infusion especially reflected in two U.S. pursuit squadrons, the 103rd Aero Squadron, made up of Lafayette Escadrille pilots, and the 94th Aero Squadron, the most famous American combat squadron of the war.

More books from Tannenberg Publishing

Cover of the book First In The Air: The Eagle Squadrons Of World War II [Illustrated Edition] by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Conquering The Night — Army Air Forces Night Fighters At War [Illustrated Edition] by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book First 109 Minutes: 9/11 And The U.S. Air Force. by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book 1979 And The Re-Emergence Of The Islamic Empire by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Defensive Culmination - When Does The Tactical Commander Counterattack? by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Famous Fighters Of The Second World War, Volume One by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Fighting Squadron, A Sequel To Dive Bomber: by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Madeleine Takes Command by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Gathering Of Human Intelligence In Counter-Insurgency Warfare: by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Pugnax The Gladiator by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Wedemeyer Reports! by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book The Life And Death Of The Luftwaffe by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Airborne Operations In World War II, European Theater [Illustrated Edition] by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book The Lucky Seventh In The Bulge: A Case Study For The Airland Battle by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Beyond the Battle Line: US Air Attack Theory and Doctrine, 1919-1941 by Roger G. Miller
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy