First to the Front: The Aerial Adventures of 1st Lt. Waldo Heinrichs and the 95th Aero Squadron 1917-1918 (Schiffer Military History) [Hardcover]

Charles Woolley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Schiffer Military History | Publication Date: January 1, 2004

The 95th Aero Squadron was the first American pursuit squadron to fly over the front in March 1918 and 1st Lt. Waldo Heinrichs was one of its original members. The history of the Squadron is told through the words of those who served, Heinrichs' richly written diary forms the nucleus of the story supported by contemporary letters, anecdotes, and combat reports from many of the other flyers. Entries from the official Squadron history as contained in the History of the American Air Services A.E.F. (the Gorrell History) round out the narrative. Over 280 photos, most unpublished from the personal albums of the participants, show planes, places and personnel which surrounded this happy band of warriors.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764307495
• ISBN-13: 978-0764307492
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,253,801 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FROM FLEDGLINGS TO FIRST U.S. FIGHTER SQUADRON ON WESTERN FRONT, October 2, 2010

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MONTGOMERY (WASHINGTON, DC - U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: First to the Front: The Aerial Adventures of 1st Lt. Waldo Heinrichs and the 95th Aero Squadron 1917-1918 (Schiffer Military History) (Hardcover)

This book offers a rich and fascinating story --- told largely through diary entries made by Lt. Heinrichs during his service with the 95th, from excerpts of letters from some of Heinrichs' fellow pilots, and from the squadron's Official History --- of the first U.S. fighter squadron to see combat on the Western Front.

Heinrichs also sheds light on the type of flight training (rather extensive, divided between the French system and the embryonic American training scheme) he received in France during 1917 and early 1918. On the whole, a very well-structured and readable book.