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A review by komet2020
A History of the 17th Aero Squadron: An American Squadron on the Western Front During the First World War by Frederick Mortimer Clapp
informative
medium-paced
3.25
A History of the 17th Aero Squadron: An American Squadron on the Western Front during the First World War is, in essence, a rather cut and dried account by the author - who, himself a pilot, had acted as an adjutant with the 17th Aero Squadron - of the history and wartime achievements of a fighter squadron that from July 12 to October 28, 1918, flew combat missions under command of the Royal Air Force (RAF) over the British area of the Front.
Among its distinguished pilots was George A. Vaughn, Jr., who had initially flown S.E.5A fighters with No. 84 Squadron, RAF, where he made ace and upon transfer to the 17th Aero Squadron (which flew Sopwith Camels) achieved an additional 6 victories. He survived the war with 13 enemy aircraft to his credit. Vaughn would go on to become of the longest lived U.S. World War I aces, dying in July 1989, age 92.
The book contains some roughly sketched drawings depicting squadron life on base and in combat. There is also a chapter containing the combat reports of a number of pilots who shot down enemy aircraft between July and October 1918. While this was an interesting book to read, I wish photographs of the squadron and its personnel had been included.
All in all, A History of the 17th Aero Squadron is best suited for serious aviation enthusiasts anxious to know more about First World War aviation.
Among its distinguished pilots was George A. Vaughn, Jr., who had initially flown S.E.5A fighters with No. 84 Squadron, RAF, where he made ace and upon transfer to the 17th Aero Squadron (which flew Sopwith Camels) achieved an additional 6 victories. He survived the war with 13 enemy aircraft to his credit. Vaughn would go on to become of the longest lived U.S. World War I aces, dying in July 1989, age 92.
The book contains some roughly sketched drawings depicting squadron life on base and in combat. There is also a chapter containing the combat reports of a number of pilots who shot down enemy aircraft between July and October 1918. While this was an interesting book to read, I wish photographs of the squadron and its personnel had been included.
All in all, A History of the 17th Aero Squadron is best suited for serious aviation enthusiasts anxious to know more about First World War aviation.