First to Fly

Charles Bracelen Flood's "First to Fly" chronicles the remarkable story of the Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron of American volunteer pilots who fought for France during World War I before the United States officially entered the conflict. This meticulously researched historical account brings to life the experiences of young Americans who, motivated by idealism and adventure, crossed the Atlantic to join a war that their own country had yet to engage in directly.

The Lafayette Escadrille was formed in April 1916, more than a year before America's entry into World War I. Flood traces the origins of this unique military unit, explaining how a group of American expatriates and adventurers managed to navigate diplomatic complexities and French military bureaucracy to form an all-American squadron within the French Air Service. The author provides essential context about the political and social climate that made such an arrangement both necessary and controversial, as American neutrality laws technically prohibited citizens from serving in foreign militaries.

Flood excels at bringing individual personalities to life, profiling the diverse backgrounds of the men who comprised the squadron. These volunteers came from various walks of American life, including wealthy Ivy League graduates, cowboys, soldiers of fortune, and young men simply seeking purpose and excitement. The author does not romanticize these figures but presents them as complex individuals with varying motivations, skills, and character traits. Some were natural pilots who became aces, while others struggled with the demands of aerial combat and the primitive aircraft of the era.

The technical aspects of early aviation receive considerable attention throughout the narrative. Flood describes the dangerous and unreliable aircraft that these pilots flew, including the Nieuport fighters that became synonymous with the squadron. The author conveys how primitive these machines were by modern standards, with their fabric-covered frames, unreliable engines, and lack of basic safety features. Pilots flew without parachutes, and mechanical failures were as deadly as enemy fire. This context helps readers appreciate the extraordinary courage required to climb into these fragile machines day after day.

The combat sequences are rendered with clarity and attention to historical detail. Flood draws on letters, diaries, and official records to reconstruct dogfights and missions, avoiding sensationalism while still conveying the intensity and chaos of aerial warfare. The author explains how tactics evolved as pilots learned through trial and error, often at great cost. The squadron's victories and losses are documented with respect for the individuals involved, and Flood does not shy away from describing the toll that constant combat took on the survivors.

Beyond the aerial battles, the book explores the squadron's symbolic importance. The Lafayette Escadrille became a powerful propaganda tool for both France and American interventionists who sought to draw the United States into the war. Flood examines how the squadron's exploits were publicized and sometimes exaggerated for political purposes, while also acknowledging the genuine achievements and sacrifices of its members. The author navigates this terrain carefully, distinguishing between myth and reality without diminishing the squadron's legitimate contributions.

The narrative also addresses the aftermath of America's entry into the war in April 1917. Flood explains how the Lafayette Escadrille was eventually absorbed into the United States Army Air Service, and how its veterans continued to serve, train new American pilots, and advocate for military aviation. The transition was not always smooth, and the author documents the bureaucratic challenges and personal adjustments that accompanied this change in status.

Flood's research is evident throughout the work, with the narrative grounded in primary sources and historical records. The author has clearly consulted extensive archives, memoirs, and contemporary accounts to construct an accurate picture of the squadron and its era. This scholarly foundation gives the book credibility while remaining accessible to general readers interested in military history or aviation.

The book serves as both a tribute to a specific group of men and a window into a transformative period in military history. The Lafayette Escadrille existed at a pivotal moment when aviation was transitioning from novelty to essential military technology. Flood captures this historical significance while keeping the focus on the human stories at the center of the narrative. The result is a comprehensive and engaging account that honors its subjects without resorting to hagiography, making it a valuable contribution to the literature on World War I and early military aviation.