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 Afghanistan And Beyond: Reflections On The Future Of Warfare by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Air Leadership - Proceedings of a Conference at Bolling Air Force Base April 13-14, 1984 by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Synchronizing Airpower And Firepower In The Deep Battle by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book The Soviet Airborne Experience [Illustrated Edition] by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book US Army Special Forces Role In Asymmetric Warfare by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book The Brereton Diaries: The War In The Air In The Pacific, Middle East And Europe, 3 October 1941-8 May 1945 by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Efficacy Of Urban Insurgency In The Modern Era by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book To Save A City: The Berlin Airlift, 1948-1949 [Illustrated Edition] by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book As a Man Grows Older by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Generalship: Its Diseases and Their Cure. A Study of The Personal Factor in Command by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Wrath Of Achilles: Essays On Command In Battle by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Old Man’s Boy Grows Up by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book The British Experience In Iraq, 2007: A Perspective On The Utility Of Force by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book 1-162 In Operation Iraqi Freedom II by Roger G. Miller
Cover of the book Sunset House: More Perfume From Provence 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