1st Pursuit Group History

January - April, 1918

Comprised of 17^th, 27^th, 94^th, 95^th, 103^rd, 147^th, and 183^rd Aero Squadrons

Compilations Courtesy of SSgt John DesHetler, 1st Fighter Wing History Office, Langley AFB, VA

Edited by Stephen Sherman, the webmaster of this website, AcePilots.com.

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Editor's Introduction - The 1st Pursuit Group History mainly includes the combat reports, unit records, letters, and other contemporary documents of the squadrons. But these documents were assembled at some point after the war, as occasional "after-the-fact" editorial comments reveal, for example, Rickenbacker's witnessing of the German flier's use of a parachute. Nonetheless, it's a fascinating history, with anecdotes about the King's visit, the cross-bracing struts, inter-squadron baseball games, commendations, interspersed with the daily combat activities of the First Pursuit Group.

This first section covers January through April 1918, as the squadrons sailed to England, then to France. Mentioned are Rickenbacker's first flight over enemy lines and Winslow & Campbell's first destruction of German planes.

Note that the 17^th squadron served with the British air forces and flew Sopwith Camels; the 17^th only rejoined the U.S. 1st Pusuit Group in late October.

• 27th - Major Harold E. Hartney, assigned as Commanding officer
• 183rd - Major Geoffrey H. Bonnell, assigned as Commanding Officer

• 17th Aero Squadron entrained at Garden City, New York, for New York City, and immediately upon arrival at New York embarked on SS Carmania, one of a convoy of 14 ships.

• 27th - Ordered to proceed to New York City 14 January per Special Orders #9, Kelly Field.

• All cadets who were serving with 27th and 147th Aero Squadron were commissioned as officers and assigned to the units with which they were serving.

• Major B. M. Atkinson, Captain Philip J. Roosevelt, Captain John C. Rankin, six Sergeants First Class and one civilian employee were assigned to 1st Pursuit Organization Center, and departed Paris 8:30 AM in Hudson Touring Car and 3 Fiat Trucks for Villeneuve-Les-Vertus, France, arriving late in day. This was the forerunner of the present First Pursuit Group.
• 27th - Departed Hicks, Texas, by rail, for Garden City, New York.

• 94th - Squadron entrained at Paris, France for Issoudun, France, arriving late in day and immediately marched to 3rd Aviation Instruction Center.

• 17th - Arrived Liverpool, England, after an uneventful voyage. Many rumors had been rife as to what assignment was to be made of the squadron but no definite information had been received. The squadron after landing immediately entrained for Romsey Rest Camp, arriving late in day,

• 360th Aero Squadron organized at Kelly Field #2, under command of 1st Lieut. Louis B. Montfort, under authority Special Orders #17, Kelly Field. Original personnel obtained by transfer from 288th Aero Squadron.
• 95th - Major Raoul Lufbery assigned and assumed command.
• 27th - Arrived Garden City, New York and placed in quarantine for scarlet fever. Two officers and sixty enl1sted men were eventually to be transferred out of the squadron as a result of this epidemic.

• 185th - Sailed from New York City, New York, for Liverpool, England, aboard Adriatic.

• 48th Aero Squadron redesignated 435th Aero Construction Squadron.
• 103rd - Relieved from construction work at 3rd Aviation Instruction Center, Issoudun, France, and commenced training to obtain specific instruction on French airplanes.

• Construction of barracks, hangars, shops, etc. to house the First Pursuit Group was started at Villeneuve-Les-Vertus, France, by French and Italian Labor Squadrons, supervised by Organization Center Officers. It was reported that upon organization the First Pursuit Group was to be equipped with 36 Type XXVII Nieuport airplanes.

• 27th - Scarlet fever quarantine removed and squadron immediately ordered aboard ship,

• 17th - Squadron sailed from Southampton, England, for Havre, France, aboard channel boat with shipment of mules and equipment destined for use by a Jewish Regiment on its way to Palestine.

• 17th - Arrived Havre, France and immediately split into detachments. Headquarters Flight was ordered to the 27th Squadron R.A.F. at Martigny; " A" Flight was attached to the 84th Squadron, R.A.F. at Quizancourt, France; "B" Flight ordered to 60th Squadron, R.A.F. at St. Marie Cappell on the Flanders front and "C" Flight ordered to 56th Squadron, R.A.F. at Baizieux, France.
• 95th - Major Raoul Lufbery relieved from command and transferred to Headquarters First Pursuit Organization Center, Captain James E. Miller assumed command.

• Brigadier General Foulois signed agreement with French Republic whereby the French Republic was to supply the 103rd Aero Squadron with type VII Spads and necessary equipment for active service.

• 103rd - Orders received from commanding General, L. 0. G. to proceed to LaNoblette. France, for assignment to command and active duty.

• 147th - Squadron, consisting of 4 officers and 162 enlisted men, entrained at Fort Worth, Texas, for Garden City, New York.

• 95th - Squadron entrained at Issoudun, France, for the front, on cars which were entirely without windows, and which had not been cleaned since the previous trips with loads of horses and mules. The day was very cold and raw and the officers and men built fires on the floors of the cars to warm themselves and incidentally to dispose of the litter.
• 103rd - Departed Issoudun, France, under command of 1st Lieut. Phocien Parks, 7:00 AM, by train.

• 95th - The Squadron reached Chalons, France, and was ushered into the war by undergoing a German air raid the first night. The squadron equipment was damaged by bomb splinters but none of the squadron personnel were injured.

• 103rd - The squadron, consisting of 103 enlisted men, under command of 1st Lieut. Phocien Parks, arrived LaNoblette, France, at midnight, and all the officer and pilot personnel of the l24th Squadron, French, (Lafayette Escadrille) was merged with the squadron, and Major William Thaw assumed command. By this action the squadron assumed the history and tradition of the "Escadrille LaFayette" and continued to be known as that. The unit was immediately assigned the 21st Combat Group, 4th French Army.

• 147th - Arrived Garden City, New York, and assigned to Air Service Concentration Depot, where squadron was immediately placed under quarantine for scarlet fever.

• 95th - 1st Lieut. N. M. Foster, Med. Corps, relieved.

• 360th - 1st Lieut. W. M. Townley, assigned to and assumed command of the squadron, relieving 1st Lieut. Louis B. Montfort who was transferred.

• 27th - Embarked from New York City, New York, on troopship "527" after having lived aboard ship since February 9th awaiting assembly of convoy,

• 147th - Squadron relieved from quarantine and entertained by ladies clubs in New York City. Every imaginable sort of clothing was given to enlisted men, from hand-knitted socks which would have fitted baby elephants to sweaters just large enough to accommodate a new-born babe. Major Bonnell, the Commanding Officer, received a sports bag, the contents of which always remained a mystery, and many boxes of huge black cigars, which he eventually consumed late in the war. Captain C. A. Cobb, Med. Corps, relieved, and 1st Lieut. G. A. Rice, Med. Corps assigned as surgeon. 1st Lieut. D. W. Cassard assigned.
• 360th - Squadron filled to authorized strength at Kelly Field, Texas, and prepared to move abroad. 2nd Lieuts. Orner O. Niergarth and James Galligan relieved, and 1st Lieut. James M. Wellborn, Med. Corps, assigned as surgeon.

• 360th - Assigned to 2nd Training Brigade at Kelly Field No. 1

• 435th - Redesignated 462nd Aero Construction Squadron and ordered to active service as Army Troops, 1st American Army, A.E.F.

• 27th - Arrived Liverpool, England, and immediately marched to Winchester Downs, where it went into camp.

• 94th - Squadron arrived Villeneuve-les-Vertus and reported to Major Atkinson. Major John W. Huffer assigned to and assumed command, relieving Captain Henry L. Lyster.

• 95th - First consignment of Nieuport XXVII's received.
• 147th - Entrained at Garden City, New York, 10:00 AM and embarked on SS Cedric at Hoboken, New Jersey, 3:00 PM

• 94th - Major Raoul Lufbery, 1st Lieutenant Douglas Campbell and Edward V. Rickenbacker took-off at Villeneuve-les-Vertus 8:15 AM in 3 type XXVII Nieuports. This constituted the first all-American flight over the lines by an American trained squadron.
• 147th - Squadron sailed from New York Harbor.
• 360th - Departed Kelly Field, Texas, by rail, for New York City, New York.

• 94th - 1st Lieutenant Edward V. Rickenbacker, James A. Meissner, Edgar C. Tobin, M. Edwin Greene, Hobart Baker, and Joseph H. Eastman, assigned.
• 147th - Squadron arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia, where Sir Walter Lawrence boarded the Cedric and messed with officers of the 147th Squadron for the remainder of the journey, giving lectures on the war and explaining the ideals for which the allies were struggling.

• 27th - Squadron marched from Winchester Downs to Winnall Downs Rest Camp.
• 95th - First patrol by squadron, over lines. The type XXVII Nieuports which were assigned the Squadron were totally devoid of guns and necessary equipment. Captain Miller, the Squadron Commander, had trouble with his Nieuport and landed at Coincy, leaving the airplane and returning by motor lorry.
• The lst Pursuit Group Organization Center started actual training of squadrons which were to comprise the 1st Pursuit Group. Major Raoul Lufbery of the 94th Squadron, a combat pilot of distinction, Captain James E. Miller, Commanding the 95th Squadron, Major John Huffer, commanding the 94th Squadron, were the principal flight instructors and were constantly in the air leading formations and endeavoring to discipline new pilots. That is, pilots new to the requirements of the war, in the functions of combat observation and training.

• 95th - Captain James E. Miller went to Coincy and obtained the Nieuport left there on the 8th and flew it to Coligny where it was turned in for a Spad. He then joined a patrol with Major Davenport Johnson and Major Harmon over the Rheims sector. They were attacked by two German planes inside the German lines. Major Davenport Johnson last saw Captain Miller in a "Vrille" inside the German lines. This was the first casualty to be suffered at the Organization Center and the first battle casualty of the organizations which were to comprise the First Pursuit Group. Captain Seth Low assumed command of the squadron.

• 103rd - While on voluntary patrol Lieutenant Paul F. Baer, single-handed attacked a patrol of seven enemy planes which had cut him off from his side of the lines, and destroyed one which fell near the French lines northeast of Rheims, France. This was the first victory over enemy an aircraft scored by any American squadron.
• 360th - Arrived Garden City, New York and immediately place in quarantine for Scarlet fever

• 103rd - Captain Phelps Collins killed in action near Rheims, France.
• 27th - Squadron proceeded from Winnall Downs Rest Camp to Romsey Rest Camp.

• Comparative tests were made between Spads and Nieuports to determine their suitability for use by 1st Pursuit Group in an effort to maintain barrage patrols along the Marne against enemy low flying aircraft.

• 95th - Three unarmed Nieuports made patrols of lines behind Marne during afternoon. Major Davenport Johnson assigned and assumed command relieving Captain Seth Low.

• 103rd - While on voluntary patrol in the vicinity of Nogent-L'Abbesse, France, First Lieutenant Paul F. Baer attacked two enemy two-seaters and shot one down in flames.

• 27th - Embarked at Southampton, England for LeHavre, France.
• 147th - The Cedric ran aground off the Isle of Man during the morning hours while enveloped in fog but was pulled off the bar late in the afternoon by tugs

• 27th - Arrived LeHavre, France, in PM, and immediately entrained for Issoudun, France.
• 94th - First contingent of 16 type XXVII Nieuports powered, with 160 Horsepower Monosoupape engines was received by squadron,
• 147th - Arrived Liverpool, England and cleared ship at 11:00 AM, entrained for American Rest Camp, Romsey, England, 11:00 PM.

• 94th - Major Lufbery, First Lieutenants Edward V. Rickenbacker and Douglas Campbell made first flight by 94th Squadron over lines north of Marne and over Rhine.

• 27th - Squadron arrived Tours, France.
• 94th - Major Lufbery, Lieutenant Wentworth and Thorne Taylor made patrol over the lines. The Squadron insignia, Hat-in-the-Ring, suggested by Captain Paul M. Walters, Med. Corps Surgeon, was adopted, and Lieutenant Wentworth was assigned the task of drawing the proposed insignia. The squadron was previously using the 103rd's emblem.

• The Great German Drive in the North began. All reserves were rushed to the North where the British and French were retreating in the face of the German Advance. The Group Monard with which the First Pursuit Organization Center shared the field, was moved to the Amiens Montdidier Region.
• 17th - Headquarters Flight remained behind when the 24th Squadron, R.A.F. vacated the airdrome at Moreuil, and only a few hours before the Germans reached it. The flight burned the buildings and such supplies as it was necessary to abandon, Before the task was completed the flight was under machine gun fire from the advance elements of the advancing troops. The flight then proceeded to Bertangles, with the transport of the 24th Squadron. "A" Flight performed a similar task for the 84th Squadron, R.A.F. at Quizancourt and proceeded to Roye to rejoin the 84th Squadron. "B" Flight burned the buildings and supplies abandoned by the 60th Squadron, R.A.F., at St. Marie Cappelle and rejoined the squadron at Belluvue.
• 94th - Six additional Nieuports of various types were assigned to the squadron to bring the strength up to 22 airplanes.
• 147th - Embarked from Southampton for LeHavre. Lieut. Rice, Med. Corps, was replaced by 1st Lieut. W. W. Arnold, Med. Corps, as surgeon prior to departure. The ship sailed at 4:00 PM and shortly after getting out into the channel was stopped by fog. Anchor was dropped and the squadron remained in the English Channel all night.

• 147th - The Squadron remained aboard ship in the English Channel until midnight waiting for the fog to lift. The ship proceeded about midnight but in the early morning hours progress was again halted due to heavy fog.
• 360th - Relieved from quarantine and engaged in drill and compiling organizational equipment prior to overseas duty

• 27th - Moved from Quartier-de-Beaumont, Tours, to Issoudun.
• 147th - Arrived LeHavre, France, 6:00 PM and hiked about 4 miles in darkness until camp was made at about 11:00 PM. During the march the squadron observed flights of home defense airplanes patrolling above the coast.

• 17th - "A" Flight retreated from Roye to Vert-Galland Farm in the face of the advance elements of the German attack.
• 95th - Squadron ordered to Aerial Gunnery Camp at Caseaux, France, to complete aerial gunnery instruction. The squadron had not completed training in the United States, and officers assigned overseas, while supposedly trained under the British and French had not been given gunnery practice.
• 147th - Entrained at LeHavre, France, 4:30 PM and arrived Tours, France, 8:00 PM, where the squadron immediately marched to the Aviation Instruction Center at Issoudun. Equipment of the enlisted men had been lost at Romsey and efforts to locate it had failed, It became necessary to complete the equipment of the organization from salvaged supplies left by other organizations.

• 17th - "C" Flight destroyed airdrome installations at Baisieux to prevent their failing into the hands of the enemy when the 60th Squadron, R.A.F. was forced to retreat from original airdrome to new airdrome at Vaheureaux Farm.
• 103rd - A patrol of three planes led by Major William Thaw while in the vicinity of Rheims, France, was attacked by five enemy scouts and three two-seaters. In the ensuing. engagement the patrol destroyed 1 plane, drove 2 down out of control and dispersed the remainder

• 103rd - Major Thaw, Captain James Norman Hall and 1st Lieutenant Christopher Ford were attacked by an enemy patrol of five planes near Rheims, France, and in the following combat, Captain Hall destroyed one plane and after the patrol was dispersed followed an enemy single seater and destroyed it. Lieutenant Ford destroyed a single seater in the combat.

• 17th - "B" Flight remained when the 60th Squadron, R.A.F. vacated the airdrome at Belluvue to destroy the installations and rejoined the squadron at Fienvillers.

• 17th - "A" Flight destroyed abandoned supplies at Vert-Galland Farm when the 84th Squadron, R.A.F. retreated to Maison-Pontheiu.
• 27th - Squadron commenced active training at Issoudun.

• 94th - Squadron enlisted personnel departed for Epiez, by truck, but immediately after personnel departed, fire broke out and completely destroyed one of the hangars and several machines. Several other machines parked in the open prior to take-off were seriously damaged by the fire.
• 95th - Squadron enlisted personnel departed from Caseaux for Epiez by truck and joined the headquarters detachment of the 1st Pursuit organization Center.

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• 17th - Headquarters flight detached from 24th Squadron, R.A.F. and placed under control of the 22nd Wing, Royal Air Force, as an Independent Salvage Section.
• 94th - Pilots and machines of the 94th Squadron arrived at Epiez. This airdrome was situated on a hill in the rainy and foggy valley of the Meuse and flying was almost impossible. Captain James Norman Hall of the 103rd Aero Squadron cracked-up a Nieuport while attempting a landing on the airdrome shortly after the squadron arrived.
• 147th - Actual flying training commenced at Tours-and 98 enlisted men detailed to duty in the hangars. The remaining enlisted men were detailed to various aircraft plants to obtain instruction on the equipment with which the unit was to be provided

• 94th - First flights over lines made from station at Epiez.

• 17th - "A" Flight moved with 84th Squadron, R.A.F. from Vert-Galland Farm to Bertangles when unit moved up after lines were straightened.

• 103rd - lst Lieut. Paul F. Baer destroyed enemy plane in combat over Somme-Py.

• 94th - Squadron ordered to Toul and departed from Epiez same day. On arrival at Toul the squadron passed from the control of the 1st Pursuit Organization Center and placed under VIII French Army to act as Independent Air Unit. Captains David McK Paterson and Kenneth Marr transferred from 95th Squadron as Flight Commander.

• 94th - Squadron commenced active patrols and alerts over the lines from St. Mihiel to Pont-a-Mousson. Major Lufbery, Captains Marr and Peterson acting as Flight leaders. Captain James Norman Hall transferred from 95th Aero Squadron for duty as Flight Commander.

• 27th - Corporal Kruger was placed in arrest on suspicion of being a German agent after he had been seen talking to a German prisoner several times during the past few days. On investigation it was decided that he had obtained no information of value from the prisoner and had not passed information to the prisoner.

• 94th - First appearance of the Hat-in-the-Ring insignia, which was suggested by Captain Paul H. Walters, Medical Corps, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the design of which was drawn by 1st Lieutenant John Wentworth.
• 103rd - Relieved from assignment to Combat Group, 21 IV French Army and moved by truck train to Bonn-Maison, near Fismes, France, and assigned the VI French Army. The planes and pilots flew to Bonn-Maison late in the afternoon.

• 17th - "B" Flight destroyed installations at the airdrome near Rougefay when 60th Squadron, R.A.F. retreated in face of German advance.
• 27th - Squadron declared a field day and participated in athletic events, baseball, and held a banquet in the evening with such necessary items for the banquet table as could be procured in the area. During the morning the mess sergeant had announced that he would have a surprise in the evening and he did. Three suckling pigs in all the finery necessary to properly set them off were set on the table. On questions as to where he obtained the pigs the mess sergeant held his own counsel and appeared sly.
• 94th - Major Lufbery destroyed an enemy single-seater near Epiez but the victory was never officially confirmed.
• 103rd - Captain Charles John Biddle destroyed enemy single-seater near Bamburg and 1st Lieutenant Paul F. Baer destroyed enemy bi-place near Poaart.

• 94th - While on alert at about 8:00 AM, word was received that two enemy planes were over Tours. The clouds were very low and the day was quite disagreeable, a light mist and occasional rain prevailing. Lieutenants Douglas Campbell and Alan F. Winslow immediately jumped in their airplanes and took-off. A few minutes later the two pilots were attacked by the two German machines. Lieutenant Campbell shot the Pfalz single-seater down in flames and it fell on the airdrome. A few seconds later Lieutenant Winslow drove the Albatros down out of control and it fell in the vicinity of the airdrome. These were the first two victories scored by an all-American, American Squadron, and the coincidence is unique in the annals of aviation.
• The following telegram was received from the Chief of Air Service, A.E.F. Paris, France:

  "THE CHIEF OF AIR SERVICE THANKS THE 94TH SQUADRON FOR THE TWO GERMAN ALBATROS PLANES AND PILOTS BROUGHT DOWN WITHIN OUR LINES AND CONGRATULATES LIEUTENANT DOUGLAS CAMPBELL AND LIEUTENANT ALAN WINSLOW ON THEIR EXCELLENT WORK AND THEIR GALLANT CONDUCT" Signed WHITEHEAD.

• The following commendation was received from the Colonel commanding the Troops of the District of Toul:

  TOUL, April 14, 1918. FROM: Colonel Corbiere, Commanding the Troops of the Place De Toul. TO: Major Huffer, Commanding the American Squadron, 94. My dear Comrade: In my capacity as the Commandant of the troops of Toul, I wish to send you, both in my name, and in the name of the troops of the town, my most sincere compliments for our splendid success of to day. It was because of its immediate readiness, its initiative, its organization and the rapidity with which the pilots took the air, that the escadrille under your orders has obtained the brilliant result. Two German Avions brought down after one minute of combat. The garrison and the population of the town of Toul are happy in the victory for American Aviation, and in it they foresee yet more glorious successes in the future. I would be very glad if you would express to the personnel of the squadron under your orders the sentiments of admiration toward them, of the population of the town and of the troops, and if you would convey to them my own sincere good wishes. CORBIERE

• 94th - Brigadier General Liggett, Commanding 1st Army, A.E.F. and Colonel William Mitchell, Chief of Air Service, 1st Army, A.E.F., visited the squadron to observe its work.

• 94th - Second Lieutenant A. L. Cunningham transferred to Organization Center Headquarters as Operations Officer.

• 27th - Squadron departed Epiez by truck. A detachment of 15 enlisted men going to Paris to obtain 15 trucks and drive same to Epiez on May 6th, 1st Lieutenant James C. Marquardt killed in crash of Nieuport on take-off at Issoudun for Epiez, Captain Enga M. Arnold, Medical Corps, 1st Lieutenant Robert S. Houston, John C. Kennedy, Philip E. West and 2nd Lieutenant Mahlin P. Bryan transferred to 1st Air Depot.
• 94th - Three type XXVIII Nieuports received from Depot as Replacements.
• 103rd - While on patrol Major Thaw and 1st Lieutenant George E. Thurnure destroyed an enemy balloon near Montaigu. While returning from this mission Major Thaw attacked two enemy single-seater scouts one of which he shot down in flames near Montaigu.
• 147th - Squadron departed by truck train from Tours for new station at Epiez.

• Baron Manfred Von Richtofen, leading German ace and Commander of the famed "Richtofen Circus" was killed in combat near Vaux-sur-Somme by Captain Roy A. Brown, 209th Squadron, R.A.F. 10:45 AM.

• Baron Von Richtofen, German Air Force, buried at Bertangles, France, with full military honors. All flights of the 17th Aero Squadron, U.S.A. contributed toward the floral tributes sent by the organizations to which they were attached, and one officer from each flight accompanied the personnel of the squadron to which attached to the burial services.
• 27th - Squadron under command of lst Lieutenant Julian B. Dupuy reported to the First Pursuit Organization Center at Epiez.
• 95th - The 16 officers of the squadron who had been undergoing final aerial gunnery training at Caseaux rejoined the squadron at Epiez to bring the unit to full strength
• 147th - Squadron under command of 2nd Lieutenant S. N. Purcell reported to the First Pursuit Organization Center at Epiez.

• 94th - Major Lufbery had combat with bi-place but his guns jammed after he fired about five rounds and he was forced to withdraw from the combat.
• 103rd - 1st Lieutenant Paul F. Baer and C. H. Wilcox destroyed an enemy monoplane near St. Gebain

• 94th - Lieutenants Douglas Campbell and Alan F. Winslow decorated with the Croix-de-Guerre, by General Gerard, Commanding VI French Army, for action of 14 April.

• 27th - 1st Lieutenant Clayton C. Ingersoll killed in crash of type XXVII Nieuport at Aviation Training Center, Issoudun, France, 3:05 PM.

• 27th - lst Lieutenant Clayton C. Ingersoll buried by 138th Aero Squadron at Issoudun. Squadron engaged in liberty party to Neufchateau.
• 360th - Orders received for overseas service. Squadron engaged in intensive training preparatory to move.

• 94th - Captain James Norman Hall and 1st Lieutenant Edward Rickenbacker destroyed a Pfalz in flames near Vigneulles-les-Hatton Chatel.

• 103rd - Squadron moved by truck train from Bonn-Maison to Fismes, France, and entrained at Fismes for Leffrincheucke, near Dunquerque, Belgium. Relieved from VI French Army per orders 23791. Airplanes and pilots flew to Dunquerque, Belgium where they remained awaiting the enlisted personnel.

1917     1919

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