TimelineMapsSearch QuotationsSearch Images

Follow us through the World War I centennial and beyond at Follow wwitoday on Twitter

Lafayette Escadrille

National Chicle Chewing Gum card of Major Raoul Lufbery, an American Ace who flew with the Lafayette Escadrille. Credited with 18 victories, he was killed on May 19, 1918. Text: Maj. Raoul Lufbery Reverse: No. 22 Maj. Raoul Lufbery Early in the Great War, Raoul Lufbery, the great American Ace, enlisted as a mechanic in the French Foreign Legion. Later he transferred to the Escadrille Lafayette. Flying and fighting to avenge the death of a friend, he was a model of coolness and courage. He was officially credited with 18 victories. On May 19, 1918, his machine fell to the ground a mass of flames. Raoul Lufbery was dead. This is a series of 48 cards Sky Birds National Chicle Company Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A. Makers of Quality Chewing Gum Copr. 1933

National Chicle Chewing Gum card of Major Raoul Lufbery, an American Ace who flew with the Lafayette Escadrille. Credited with 18 victories, he was killed on May 19, 1918.

Image text

Maj. Raoul Lufbery



Reverse:

No. 22

Maj. Raoul Lufbery



Early in the Great War, Raoul Lufbery, the great American Ace, enlisted as a mechanic in the French Foreign Legion. Later he transferred to the Escadrille Lafayette. Flying and fighting to avenge the death of a friend, he was a model of coolness and courage. He was officially credited with 18 victories. On May 19, 1918, his machine fell to the ground a mass of flames. Raoul Lufbery was dead.



This is a series of 48 cards

Sky Birds

National Chicle Company

Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.

Makers of Quality Chewing Gum

Copr. 1933

Other views: Larger, Back

The Lafayette Escadrille was formed on April 20, 1916 as the American Escadrille at the airfield of Luxeuil-les-Bains in the Vosges Mountains. The first pilots of the squadron were Billy Thaw, Bert Hall, Elliot Cowdin, Norman Prince, Kiffen Rockwell, Victor Chapman, and Jim McConnell.

A mere thirty-eight Americans flew with the Escadrille, flying and fighting from April 20, 1916 to February 18, 1918. During that time, as they lost nine killed, one taken prisoner, and one seriously injured, they counted fifty-seven officially confirmed victories.

1916-04-20

Some books about Lafayette Escadrille (2)

Title Author Last Name Author First Name
Falcons of France Nordhoff James
I Flew with the Lafayette Escadrille Parsons Edwin