American pilots in Italy

6 May 2001, 06:55 AM

I got photographs of American pilots at the Furbara fighter school in 1918, their names are Windgate, Watson, Mitchener and Hogan. Does anybody know them? Were they in any way important? Thanks for your help.

7 May 2001, 05:12 AM

I find a John H. Michener listed in WINGS OF HONOR as having trained in Italy and assigned to the 1st Aero Squadron on 7-24-18 [24-7-1918]. There are some named Watson and Hogan but no Italian connection is shown.

Regards,
SteveD

leo · 8 May 2001, 09:09 AM

How many squadrons did the Us have in Italy?

leo

9 May 2001, 05:39 AM

I'm not sure that there were any US squadrons in Italy, other than training squadrons. Pilots were trained in Italy then assigned duties in France and England, or in some cases assigned to Italian squadrons.

Regards,
SteveD

9 May 2001, 05:07 PM

There was an American field based in Foggia. The famous mayor of New York City
was stationed there. His Name? Why who
else but "The Little Flower," Fiorello H.
La Guardia. He was commander of the West
Camp of Camp Foggia which was divided into two camps,the west and the south.
It was originally called The Eighth Aviation Instruction Center but was changed to Camp Foggia.

15 May 2001, 07:54 PM

No Amerian units stationed in Italy but there were a few American pilots who flew in Italian squadrons.