Eagles Over the Trenches

The fighter pilots-their aircraft and aerial battles fighting for France These two books are brought together in a single volume by Leonaur for the first time. They concern the lives, adventures, dogfights-and sometimes violent deaths-in the skies over the battlefields of the Western Front of young Americans who found common cause with France at a time when their own nation remained neutral. Their squadron was originally entitled the Escadrille Americain, but it became the internationally renowned Lafayette Escadrille and subsequently became part of the infant American Air Force. The first book, Flying for France is the account of one of the earliest groups of Americans who rallied to the tricolour. Drawn from among soldiers of fortune and the ranks of the Foreign Legion they flew the Spads and Nieuports bearing the Indian Chief head insignia which became the hallmark of their skill and daring. The second title Our Pilots in the Air is a is an account written as 'faction' by a serving officer and published shortly after the war. Nevertheless, it has the ring of historical authenticity whilst retaining its entertainment value.