Page 9 - Aerotech News and Review, June 25, 2021

High Desert Hangar Stories
The Lafayette Escadrille:

Americans who flew with French in WWI honored

by Bob Alvis So while doing research on this, I be-
special to Aerotech News came aware of the monument that was
erected to honor these Americans and I
With the Fourth of July just around the was distressed to find out it had fallen on
corner, I wanted to look back at Amer- hard times and was in need of a $14 mil-
ica’s involvement in World War I and lion restoration. Wanting to know more,
specifically, those daring young men in I called Michael Conley, the chief of staff
their flying machines. at the American Battlefields Commis-
Little did I know that my research sion, to get some more background. He
would open some doors into the subject shared the news that over the last years,
that would end up with me having a talk the monument had changed ownership
with the head of the American Battlefield and is now under his direction and care
Monuments Commission in Virginia. as an American Cemetery on foreign soil.
Living here in the Antelope Valley The insight he shared brought me peace
with all its aviation history and firsts, it of mind that these real American heroes
is easy to think that the warbirds of the
world and especially the United States now safely rest in the arms of those who
were home grown — but that is actually care about their service and sacrifice.
far from the truth. The development of After the Armistice, Lafayette Flying
the modern-day combat aircraft came Corps veterans worked with American
into being in the skies over France and and French leaders to build a memorial
Germany in World War I, when two in- dedicated to those who flew with the
dividuals took to the skies with only side Service Aéronautique. The memorial
arms and attempted to shoot each other would also serve as a final resting place
till they ran out of ammo, and then just for many of those who lost their lives
waved at each other and flew home. That Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Joshua DeMotts during the war.
was the beginning of what would grow A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber flies over the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, Dedicated in 1928, the memorial cem-
France, April 20, 2016, during a ceremony honoring the 268 Americans who joined the French Air Force before the
into a worldwide quest to own the skies. U.S. officially engaged in World War I. In addition to the B-52, four USAF fifth generation F-22 Raptor fighters, three etery consists of an ornate central arch,
The United States would soon have their FAF Mirage 2000Ns, one FAF Rafale and a World War I-era Stearman PT-17 biplane performed flyovers during the half the size of the Arc de Triomphe in
own chapter flying in those same skies ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Layfette Escadrille’s formation. Paris, with a French inscription on the
and would form a group of volunteers façade, and an English translation on the
who would become legendary in the was formed eight months later under the an unofficial designation. Many of these everyday lives they did not turn around rear. The central arch is flanked by wings
world of American aviation: the famous command of French Air Service Capt. aviators transferred to American squad- and head back home. The majority stayed on either side that include open hallways
Lafayette Escadrille. George Thenault. While a handful of the rons once the U.S entered the war in the course until death, sickness or combat terminating in end pavilions. A reflect-
The Lafayette Escadrille was formed Americans joining the unit had previous- April 1917. closed the book on their short lives. From ing pool runs the length of the structure.
thanks to three individuals: Norman ly served in the French Air Service, most As tales of the Lafayette Escadrille these first American Airmen and with the Behind the memorial is a semi-circular
Prince of Boston, Mass., William Thaw were novice aviators — just having mas- spread around the globe, these young United States entering the Great War in terrace that forms the roof of the crypt be-
of Pittsburgh, Penn., and Dr. Edmond tered the most basic elements of flight. men stood as noble champions of the 1917, the pioneering airmen of the La- low. Stained-glass windows in the crypt
Gros, an American expatriate living in More than 200 Americans flew with Allied cause. Hundreds of Americans fayette Escadrille formed the foundation depict the major battles of the Western
France. French squadrons during the course of traveled to France in a quest to join the on which American combat aviation was Front.
famed squadron. Unable to accommo- built. Donning United States Air Service In the memorial crypt are 68 sarcoph-
date the flood of volunteers within the uniforms, the veteran flyers continued to agi, one for each of the aviators of the
original unit, French Air Service leaders fly and fight, while also teaching their Lafayette Flying Corps who lost their
formed the Lafayette Flying Corps — an newly arrived counterparts about the nu- lives during World War I. Forty-nine of
effort that saw more than 200 American ances of combat aviation. This continued
volunteers join a variety of French squad- service proved critical, with American these aviators are entombed in the crypt,
rons. Their contribution to the war was airpower helping win a series of battles along with two of their French com-
undeniable, with the volunteers shooting that ultimately brought victory to the Al- manding officers. The remainder rest
down 199 German aircraft. lied cause in November of 1918. in other locations, or their remains were
But with these numbers, there came As this history fades ever farther in the never recovered
a heavy price to be paid in those early rearview mirror of history, I felt it was By the early 21st century, decades
years of air combat. Risks associated necessary that, as we celebrate the inde- of delayed maintenance to the memo-
with daily combat operations were pro- pendence of America, we remember the rial had led to structural damage, water
nounced. Despite the celebratory status heart of what the flag waving and patri- intrusion and corrosion that required
afforded to the men of the Lafayette Es- otic displays are all about. Independence large-scale repair. Understanding its
cadrille, flying in combat for more than Day is a special day when we celebrate significance in the history of American
two years proved exceedingly costly. the journey of every man, woman and military aviation, ABMC, through an
Nearly one third of the 38 aviators who child who in some way contributed to agreement with the Lafayette Escadrille
Courtesy photograph served in the original squadron gave their our freedoms. Memorial Foundation and the French
Members of the Lafayette Escadrille in France during World War I. lives to the Allied cause during the war. The words of Capt. George Thenault, government that included financial sup-
Flying amidst such odds yielded a stark the commanding officer of the Lafayette port, led restoration efforts in 2015 and
understanding regarding dedication to Escadrille, pretty well puts into perspec- 2016, in time for the 100th anniversary of
Seeking to aid the Allied cause, they the war. Men who were considered part duty and sacrifice. tive the mindset of those early day Amer- the formation of the squadron. In January
lobbied officials in Paris to create an all- of this elite flying group came from di- So why did I feel it was necessary ican volunteers and the true meaning of 2017 ABMC officially assumed owner-
American squadron within the French verse backgrounds, including authors to take a look back at these brave and their sacrifice on the world’s behalf, ship and responsibility for the Lafayette
Air Service. The Allies were in need of fiction, a professional polo player, adventurous young pilots from so long “They were the precursors of the
of more combat forces, and were fully all-American football players, an FBI ago and understand how they fit into the mighty awakening of the West — of Escadrille Memorial Cemetery, making
aware of the positive propaganda value special agent, and a U.S. ambassador patchwork quilt fabric of the American that gigantic effort of America — un- it the 9th commemorative World War I
that Americans flying under the French to name a few. Of this number, only 38 journey? It really comes down to the paralleled in history — the greatest of cemetery administered by the agency.
flag could afford in garnering United were assigned to the Lafayette Escadrille word Freedom, as well as those words all crusades, where every qualified man Happy Fourth of July friends, and
States support for the Allied cause. — the term escadrille means squadron in in the previous paragraph that mentioned was enrolled under the Stars and Stripes, never forget those that blazed the trail of
French officials approved the concept French. The rest served in other French dedication to duty and sacrifice. There is for no selfish aim, for no world-conquest, freedom in our skies. No matter the war
on Aug. 21, 1915, and the beginning of flying units. Collectively, all Americans no doubt that early on, the thoughts of ad- but for the great ideals upon which civi- or era, they were all part of what we call
American Combat aviation was born. in the French Air Service, known as the venture played a big part in a lot of young lization depends and for which the entire family here in America.
The new squadron, officially desig- Service Aéronautique, were considered men’s decision making — but when the resources of the nation were unsparingly
nated N.124, The Lafayette Escadrille, to be part of the Lafayette Flying Corps, realities of war became a part of their contributed to assure victory.” Until next time, Bob out …
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