The Way of the Eagle (Vintage Aviation Series) - Hardcover

Biddle, Charles J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1612003907 ISBN 13: 9781612003900

Publisher: Casemate, 2016

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Review

“The accounts read like a 'Boys Own' style comic and are very entertaining.” (Air Modeller)

“...will give a new generation first-hand accounts of flying a SPAD in a whirling dogfight with Fokkers and Albatross...thoroughly recommended.” (Flypast)

“Charles Biddle first flew with the French Lafayette Flying Corps in summer 1917 as part of Escadrille N.73, one of the fighter squadrons in the elite “Storks” group... His autobiography consists of his letters home during the war, sometimes supplemented by information he could not write originally due to censorship.” (World War One Illustrated)

“First published in 1919, The Way of the Eagle is widely acknowl-edged as an aviation milestone of World War I aviation literature... Progressing from French poilu to fighter ace and American Major, Charles Biddle’s action-filled account is highly recommended and now available to members in this attractive new edition.” (Over the Front, Spring 2017)

Edition details

• Publisher: Casemate
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1612003907
• ISBN 13: 9781612003900
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 348