Legion of the Lafayette

buzz1941 · 12 June 2005, 11:25 AM

I'm reading Arch Whitehouse's "Legion of the Lafayette" again, and so far it doesn't seem particularly horrible, other than typical 1950s assumptions in aircraft desgnations and description -- Nieuport 11s are listed as 17s, Albatross instead of Albatros, etc. What's the conventional wisdom on this book?

retread · 25 June 2005, 10:28 AM

I have always enjoyed Arch Whitehouse's books. I know he is considered to have been something of a charltain by some and/or to have included some "strechers" in his telling of a tale. (Hell, for that matter look at the state of modern journalism- reality all too often doesn't get in the way of a good story or an agenda.) Still, he WAS there. He saw a fair deal of campaigning and his books are entertaining and in their own light informative- although perhaps not in the detailed way of modern books on the subject.
It is a controversy that doesn't easily go away. In my mind his books have their place in the record of WW1 aviation and one that is somewhat underestimated.

buzz1941 · 25 June 2005, 10:09 PM

I'm reading "Legion" now and rather enjoying it.

retread · 30 June 2005, 02:49 PM

Speaking of "Legion of the Lafayete" today I was able to track down Hall and Nordhoff's "The Lafayette Flying Corp" in a local bookshop. It was the 1964 reprint and though it was in excellent shape they were asking $600.
SIX HUNDRED BUCKS. Thinks I - thats a little steep for a reprint. So I go online and they are on the low end of the price range. The 1920 originals start at about twice that and go up to more than 4x.
I think were overdue for a new edition. How about Schiffer ? They recently made a new edition of "The New England Aviators" which is also two volumes.
Last time I looked an original edition of that set started around 5-600 $$'s as well. The Schiffer (is that the right spelling? It may only have one f) edition was about fifty bucks apiece.
How about it you authors out there. Do you think it would be worth it if I tried to contact them and suggested Hall & Nordhoff's books as a worthy addition to their selection?

topgun56 · 5 July 2005, 02:33 AM

Go for it !! But 600 USD WOW. I have a 30's copy of Flying With Chaucer....but don't think it is worth anything like that.

topgun56 · 5 July 2005, 03:51 AM

You should really check E Bay for this book/s. There seems to be 2 books referred to here.....Nordoff and Hall's "Falcons of France" And the Lafayatte Flying Corps by Dennis Gordon.....prices 2-80 USD.

retread · 5 July 2005, 07:42 AM

topgun56,
Thanks for the reply. I do have a first edition copy of "Falcons of France". Which, if your not already aware, was Hall and Nordoff's novel concerning the Lafayette Escradrille. As I recall the cost was extremely reasonable.
Their "History of the Lafayette Flying Corp" (I believe that is the full title, although I can't be positive- something very close to that regardless) was originally limited to 1,000 or 1,500 copies. Its rare and resultantly expensive.Even the 1964 reprint (the only reprint that I am aware of ) was limited. No more than 5,000 copies if my memory is serves well and it may have been much less than that. This book was written immediately after the war at Nantucket Island, Mass. Shortly thereafter H+N commenced their personal adventure to the Pacific Ocean and Tahiti.
"The Lafayette Flying Corp" by Dennis Gordon I'm fairly sure is the Schiffer (Schifer?) book (I'm short on references and time right now). Which is beautifuuly done, invaluable and well worth the price.
Thanks again

Taz · 6 July 2005, 08:28 PM

Retread- The Lafayette Flying Corps by Hall and Nordhoff was published in two volumes in 1920 by the Houghton Mifflin Company and the Riverside Press Cambridge. They are fairly massive with 300-400 pages per volume and contain some of the color plates from Falcons of France. My copy cost $350 a couple of years ago and one of the best sources for the books is WW-1 Aero. Put an ad in Leo's "Wants" listing and see what pops up. I bought mine from a contact there. The books are well worth having with excellent photographs and contemporary profiles on Layfayette FC pilots. The Layfayette Escadrille pilots are especially well covered and several later works draw heavily on these volumes. Keep hunting. $600 sounds a little steep to me, especially for a "reprint".

Terry Phillips
Taz

GrandSon · 7 July 2005, 04:40 AM

The day Alfred de Laage killed himself (23rd May 17) my grandfather Paul Fressanges Dubost flew with N124. Could any of you guys fortunate to have the book check for me any reference to my grandfather and of the last flight of de Laage.

Thanks.