Needed: Good Book on Lafayette Escadrille

30 January 2003, 09:13 AM

Hi,
I would like to know what book gives the best historical account of the Lafayette Escadrille N.124. I am interested in pilot biographies, claims and losses, as well as eyewitness accounts and combatlogs. All input welcome.

regards

Billy9 · 30 January 2003, 09:22 AM

There is an excellent book on the Lafayette Escadrille by Dennis Gordon. I don't have it here with me and can't remember the title, but believe me it is excellent.

Bill

Rick · 30 January 2003, 11:34 AM

"Lafayette Escadrille Pilot Biographies", by Dennis Gordon, 271 pages, The Doughboy Historical Society, P.O. Box 3912, Missoula, MT 59806, ISBN: 0-942258-01-0, 1999.

Whar Bill said!! R.

insignia · 30 January 2003, 11:48 AM

“LAFAYETTE ESCADRILLE" BY HERBERT MOLLOY MASON JR. is a great read, well written with good appendices listing squadron and member details. Plus it is well indexed and has an extensive bibliography.
Hope this helps.

Barrett · 30 January 2003, 12:15 PM

You only need one book:

Edwin C. Parsons' "The Great Adventure" (aka "I Flew For the Lafayette" by one of the pilots who lived it. A marvelous tale told in a hugely entertaining fashion. Parsons was an amazing gent: became an FBI agent and later a rear admiral. His chapter on superstitions alone is worth the price of the book.

31 January 2003, 06:11 AM

Thank you all very much for your all your input.
I will look into your recommendations.

regards

8 February 2003, 06:50 AM

Dear Dubya-Dubya,
You might also want to read Gordon's The Lafayette Flying Corps, The American Volunteers in the French Air Service in WW1, but I suspect its biographies of the Lafayette Escadrille are the same as the ones in his previous work (cited above). This book is available at Amazon.
Still, the bios have photos, including William Wellman of Wings fame, as well as father of the ex-patriate librarian whom I had the pleasure to work for while a student in Paris some years back...
Further, the book delves into the controversy surrounding the Lafayette Escadrille memorial in Versailles.
Then again, while those bios of Lafayette Escadrille members are highlighted, I think that they are also a reprinting of the earlier work of Gordon's...
VBR,
Captain Lewis

alex_revell · 9 February 2003, 06:11 AM

A little off the topic, I know, but my good friend, the late Ola Sater, a very fine American reseacher always impressed upon me his view that for all their gallantry the contributions of the members of the LE, were largely overrated by the publicity they received. What Ola wanted to see - and may well have written himself had he lived - was a book recounting the service of the many more American volunteers who served with the RFC and RAF. So, what about it one of you American researchers?
Regards
Alex

Ira_Silverman · 11 February 2003, 05:43 PM

Hi Alex,

I don't know if you are aware of it, but the late James J. Hudson wrote just such a book.

In Clouds of Glory. American Airmen Who Flew With the British During the Great War (University of Arkansas Press, 1990), while not the last word on the subject, is a fine read and well worth acquiring.

Best regards,

Ira