First to Fly

In First to Fly, historian Charles Bracelen Flood explores the transformative era of World War I aviation through the lens of the Lafayette Escadrille, the first all-American squadron in the French Air Service. Formed in 1916, this daring group of American pilots bravely engaged in combat despite the dangers they faced, including high mortality rates and formidable foes like the Red Baron. Drawing on rare primary sources, Flood reveals the astonishing achievements of these men and the significant impact their endeavors had on the evolution of flight and military strategy.