American Pilots, Paul Baer & Lt. C.H. Wilcox

[scooterjmuggs]

Hello All,

Does anyone have more information on Paul Baer or another USAS pilot Baer shared some victories with named Lt. C.H. Wilcox. Baer seems an interesting subject as the first official US Air Service Ace. Wilcox seems to have flown with him and has at least two shared kills with him.

I hear that the books Over the Front and Aircraft of American Aces (Osprey) have some information in them. Unfortunately I do not own either book.

Thanks,

scooterjmuggs out....

[dpolglaze]

Hi, Scooter.

I have a copy of the publication "Paul Baer Scrapbook" by Herb Harnish around somewhere. I can't find it right now among the books, but it's here somewhere. Published by the Allen County Historical Society in Fort Wayne IN in 1968. It's small, 32 pages. Baer enlisted in the French Foreign Legion and transferred into the LFC 20 February 1917. He joined Escadrille SPA 80, and then Esc. SPA 124. There is a fair bit written about him in Dennis Gordon's book "The Lafayette Flying Corps" which is still available.

Dan

As a kid at the Northern Cailf. Cross and Cockade meetings, I heard that he was the Father of Max ( " Jethro " of the Beverly Hillbillies), Baer.

I cant say thats confirmed and since I was about 11 years old then, I've often wondered if someone was pulling my leg.

Jim

[Gregvan]

Hi Tyson,

As his name implies, Max Baer Jr. ("Jethro Bodine") is the son of the legendary boxer Max Baer Sr. I kinda doubt that he was related to the ace Paul Baer.

If you watch the movie "Cinderella Man", Max Baer Sr. is portrayed as quite a nasty villain. I think they overdid it. I'm not a boxing fan or authority, but from what I understand Max Baer Sr. was indeed a formidable and flamboyant boxer, who wasn't afraid to display his Jewish faith by wearing a Star of David on his trunks. I think he boxed the German Max Schmaeling with trunks like that.

Someone who knows far more than I do may jump in here, hopefully.

Greg

[bombaimer]

From America's First Eagles :
Lt. Baer in the period of ten weeks rose to be one of the greatest American Aces with a record of nine official victories to his credit.
He initially flew with the French and later transferred to the USAS.
Lt. Baer was one of the most skilled American pilots. On March 11 and 16 he brought down in the Rhiems sector the first two official German planes credited to our air services. In one instance he alone attacked seven enemy chase machines. He was awarded the DSC on April 12 in recognition of his splendid work. In the meantime, however he had almost duplicated the feat by shooting down two more German planes on April 6 and 12 in the Somme area. These with a victory of April 23 made him an ace. On May 8 he made six separate pursuit flights during the same day, shooting down two more of the enemy in combat over Mont Kemmel. Again on May 21 with a patrol of four from his squadron, he shot down a German. For each of these five victories he was given a bronze oak leaf to be worn with the DSC already awarded and also received the French Croix de Guerre. His period of usefullness was cut short on May 22, 1918 by his unfortunate capture, yet glorious under the unequal conditions of combat. On that day he and two other SPAD pilots set forth from their airdrome at Dunkirk for a patrol along the lines. They saw a formation of eight enemy below them and although outnumbered more than two to one they attacked the enemy. A furious fight ensued during which the superior strength of the Germans gave them the advantage over the almost recklessly bold Yankees, Baer after shooting down one of the enemy- his ninth- crashed inside the enemy lines when the controls of his plane were shot away in the fusilade of hostile fire.