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The Way of the Eagle
In The Way of the Eagle, Philadelphia native Charles Biddle’s account of flying in World War I, we have a classic aviation memoir, long out of print, that provides new insights into America’s participation in the Great War.
Biddle volunteered and was active in France from 1917, where he flew as a volunteer, initially for the French in Escadrille 73, and then in the American 103rd Aero Squadron (the Lafayette Escadrille), and then the 13th Aero Squadron and 4th Pursuit Group (which he commanded).
His memoir was published shortly after his return to the United States and so provides an immediacy that is lacking in other books that were written later. It is important in that accounts of U.S. pilots from this period are relatively rare, even as he also paints a compelling picture of a group of Americans fighting as volunteers for the French. Biddle’s U.S. compatriots soon established their own capability and wrung free of French direction—and as this book reveals it was largely because of their combat prowess.
For his service Biddle was awarded the French Legion of Honour, the Croix de Guerre, the American Distinguished Service Cross and the Belgian Order of Leopold II. After the war, Biddle rejoined his family law firm in Philadelphia. He died in 1972.
Table of Contents
1. In the Schools
2. Escadrille N. 73
3. Escadrille Lafayette
4. 13th Aero Squadron, A. E. F.
5. 4th Pursuit Group, A. E. F.
Biddle volunteered and was active in France from 1917, where he flew as a volunteer, initially for the French in Escadrille 73, and then in the American 103rd Aero Squadron (the Lafayette Escadrille), and then the 13th Aero Squadron and 4th Pursuit Group (which he commanded).
His memoir was published shortly after his return to the United States and so provides an immediacy that is lacking in other books that were written later. It is important in that accounts of U.S. pilots from this period are relatively rare, even as he also paints a compelling picture of a group of Americans fighting as volunteers for the French. Biddle’s U.S. compatriots soon established their own capability and wrung free of French direction—and as this book reveals it was largely because of their combat prowess.
For his service Biddle was awarded the French Legion of Honour, the Croix de Guerre, the American Distinguished Service Cross and the Belgian Order of Leopold II. After the war, Biddle rejoined his family law firm in Philadelphia. He died in 1972.
Table of Contents
1. In the Schools
2. Escadrille N. 73
3. Escadrille Lafayette
4. 13th Aero Squadron, A. E. F.
5. 4th Pursuit Group, A. E. F.
348 pages, Hardcover
First published July 10, 2014
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 5, 2021
First hand account of WWI aviation.
This book was the collection of letters to his parents that Major Charles Biddle wrote within days and hours of these events occurring. He graduated from Harvard Law School and then enlisted in the French Air Service as an enlisted pilot. He then transferred to the US Air Service in early 1918. This is the unvarnished and authentic account of flying in the Lafayette Escadrille and the US Air Service in WWI flying several different versions of the SPAD (VII, VII, XIII). I’ve read many accounts of WWI flyers that are excellent. There are none better than Major Biddles account. Highly recommended!
This book was the collection of letters to his parents that Major Charles Biddle wrote within days and hours of these events occurring. He graduated from Harvard Law School and then enlisted in the French Air Service as an enlisted pilot. He then transferred to the US Air Service in early 1918. This is the unvarnished and authentic account of flying in the Lafayette Escadrille and the US Air Service in WWI flying several different versions of the SPAD (VII, VII, XIII). I’ve read many accounts of WWI flyers that are excellent. There are none better than Major Biddles account. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 of 1 review