An American Pilot in the Skies of France The Diaries and Letters of an American Pilot, 1917-1918

by Vaughan, David K.

• ISBN13: 9781882090020
• ISBN10: 1882090020
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1992-05-27
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

Percival Gates' diaries and letters provide a realistic description of the war in the air, an aspect of World War I often distorted by romantic interpretations. Gates gives a comprehensive account of the American Air Service flying training procedures, recording the step-by-step progress of a student through both the American and French flying training programs.
In addition, Percival Gates provides a personal view of an important period in history. His diaries and letters are a delightful record of a young man's day-to-day experiences: the dangers, the accidents, the boredom, the food, the fatigue, and the girls he met.
In a wonderful foreword, Gates' son and namesake conveys the vibrancy of those brief 18 months of WWI military service for his father. This collection allows us to follow a young man through the pivotal experiences that contributed to a deep sense of pride and well-being in his more mature years.

Table of Contents

Preface
Foreword
Introduction	p. 1
The Gates Diaries and Letters
Pilot Training, Park Field, Millington, Tennessee (1 Jan--15 Mar 1918)	p. 19
Across the Ocean to Blois, France (21 May--16 Jun 1918)	p. 35
Flying Training, 3rd Aviation Instruction Center, Issoudun, France (17 Jun--6 Aug 1918)	p. 53
Gunnery School, St. Jean-de-onts, France (7--25 Aug 1918)	p. 105
Ferry Pilot, Orly Field, Paris, France (26 Aug--7 Sep 1918)	p. 127
Assignment to the 185th Aero Squadron, Colombey-les-Belles, France (8--29 Sep 1918)	p. 137
Temporary Duty with the 27th Aero Squadron, Rembercourt, France (30 Sep--17 Oct 1918)	p. 147
Return to the 185th Aero Squadron; the Armistice and After (18 Oct 1918--23 Jan 1919)	p. 167
App: The Flight Log of Percival T. Gates	p. 189
App: List of Names	p. 203
Bibliography	p. 207
Index
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.