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Fly Boys

AMERICANS FLY FOR FRANCE

As royal cousins (“Georgie, Nicky and Willie”) were unable to do much to prevent their respective countries (Britain, Russia and Germany) from plunging into war - the Kaiser was later pictured with the caption “I did not want it” - the United States initially remained neutral. Hundreds of young Americans, however - both men and women - joined the Allies. Motivated by ideals and a sense of adventure, they became soldiers, nurses and ambulance drivers. Some, like Norman Prince (a lawyer) and William Thaw (a flight instructor) were already licensed pilots.

While military aviation had barely developed at home, would-be American pilots also volunteered for service with France. They wanted to become knights of the air, despite the known dangers of early flight.

Before the end of 1915, American volunteers had transferred into the French Aviation Service. Thereafter, an idea began to take shape. What if France created a squadron (called an escadrille in French) of American pilots who could fly combat missions at the Front? The unit could be commanded by French officers who would teach the young Americans to fly. It could be supported, among other things, by wealthy American businessmen who also wished to assist France.

Prince and Thaw, together with influential Americans like Dr. Edmund Gros (head of the American Ambulance Hospital in Paris) and prominent Frenchmen like Jarousse deSilac (of the French ministry of foreign affairs), made a convincing argument. After careful consideration, the French government allowed the Escadrille Americaine - or, the “American Squadron” - to form. Designated N-124 (for (Nieuport), the initial group consisted of seven Americans commanded by two Frenchmen. They were:

The unit was an escadrille de chasse - or - a "pursuit squadron." Whom did they pursue? Skilled German pilots, often flying more sophisticated and powerful planes.