Bert Hall Hero or Heel

[Billy_Bishop]

Nope, no luck. My last remaining RELIABLE source gives James Norman Hall 3 victory credits.

It is not, however the last word. It also only credits Bill Thaw with 3 Victory credits. And Thaw is known to have 2 more credits while in French service.

So, how about it, anymore for JN Hall while he flew with the French?

VBR,

Al Lowe

[muff]

Hello; Al. You are barking up the wrong tree. James Norman Hall is a different person. J. N. Hall with his friend Charles Nordhoff wrote Mutiny on the Bounty. They also wrote The Falcons of France. The Man this thread is about is Weston Birch Hall (Bert) born in Higginsville, Missouri on Nov. 7 1885 and died Dec.6 1948. he was one of the first members of the Lafayette Escadrille along with William Thaw. and while some say Bert was a bit of a con man, He did lead a life that would sure make a great movie or Book. as Bert use to say " Them that like me like me well, them that don't can go to hell"

[Billy_Bishop]

Ok. I didn't know. In that case, Bert Hall doesn't show up on ANY list.

VBR,

Al Lowe

[muff]

Hello; Al. As he was not an Ace, He would not be on the Aces lists. But if you would like to know more about Bert, He wrote two books about the War. En L'air printed in 1918 and One Mans War printed in 1929. He is also in Herbert Molloy Mason, Jr. Book "The Lafayette Escadrille" printed in 1964. but best by far is Dennis Gordon's Great book listed way back in this thread. as it tells about not only the War, But what happened to all of the L/E pilots. this book is a milestone in WW1 Aviation research. it is indeed wonderful. Best Wishes. Muff

[The_Gunny]

Speaking of Bert Hall:

Has anyone ever read one of his books? *I picked them up on Ebay several years ago. *Very interesting. *Not factual mind you, just very interesting. *I think Mr. Hall and Elliot Cowdin chose wisely when they "rotated out" of N124. *Just my two cents. Semper Fi.

Raven One Sends

Nick Vitale
CWO2 (Gunner) USMC

P.S. Shooter, Stephen Lawson and Dan San: I have graduated Quantico's Knife and Fork school and am on my why to the Infantry Officers Course. *(After 18 years I'm begining to think I am getting too old for this!)

[muff]

Hello; Gunner. thank you for your input, On What do you base your comment that Berts books were not Factual. other than the fact that most other Flyer Authors are not. or is it History seems to change every year or so. History is or should stay the same Factual, BUT a lot of it is not. Best of Luck on your new posting, Semper Fi. Muff

[Richard_Schrader]

All;
Bert Hall has always been my favorite N.124 pilot.
most of the others were Posion Ivy League snobs. The only one with any common sense seems to be Bill Thaw. Except for Hall and Luf, the others come from a class of people I despise.

Richard

[muff]

Hello; Richard, How about that!, The two of us must be the only ones on the Forum who know enough about Bert Hall to Like him. I like you think a rough and tumble person like Bert must have been a bit hard to take by the Ivy League types. and when he did not know his place. wow! but you notice he was a sharp dresser. but even that will not let you rise above your Class. snobs think that way you know.Bill Thaw Liked him.and so did Luf. Thats good enough for me.Anyhow thanks for the kind words. Muff

[Ira_Silverman]

Richard,

Why I am truly appalled!

Guilt by association with a liar scoundrel, thief and knave - who would have thunk it!

And denigrating an entire class of wonderful people -at the very least you should be forced to sing the first three verses of "The Wiffenpoof Song" before this illustrious forum!

Just my opinion

Ira (Princeton, '74)

[Richard_Schrader]

Ira;
I don't know the words, but if you hum a few bars...

Richard