Elliott White Springs

[EARTHLING]

I have always been puzzled by Americans having so little interest in their own airman. They seem obsessed with MvR and other German flyers.
Not only was Springs an ace but he could write much better than most. His outlook still seems modern, his writing pacy and racy and I don't only mean War Birds, the Diary of etc. etc.
Above the Bright Blue Sky, Niocturne Militaire, amongst others will give you a feel of what it was really like.
From flying SE5a's with the British in 85 Squadron he went to the American flying Corp and flew second hand Camels.
He also ran and enlarged the business he inherited from his Father between the wars.
So OK he drank despite his ulcer and he was a womaniser:.
He also adfmired Bishop with whiom he served and never thought he was a fraud.
Read his short stories and cheer yourself up.

[rexee]

My Grandfather flew with Elliott White Springs during the war. He described him as "a great guy with a squeeky voice"

Cheers
Rex

[FOKKERJ]

Originally Posted by EARTHLING

I have always been puzzled by Americans having so little interest in their own airman. They seem obsessed with MvR and other German flyers.
Not only was Springs an ace but he could write much better than most. His outlook still seems modern, his writing pacy and racy and I don't only mean War Birds, the Diary of etc. etc.
Above the Bright Blue Sky, Niocturne Militaire, amongst others will give you a feel of what it was really like.
From flying SE5a's with the British in 85 Squadron he went to the American flying Corp and flew second hand Camels.
He also ran and enlarged the business he inherited from his Father between the wars.
So OK he drank despite his ulcer and he was a womaniser:.
He also adfmired Bishop with whiom he served and never thought he was a fraud.
Read his short stories and cheer yourself up.

Hello EARTHLING,

Good subject and good points.

"So OK he drank despite his ulcer and he was a womaniser:."

You make this sound like a bad thing!

I was just telling a fellow member about Frederick Libby.
The First American Ace in the R.F.C. and his Autobiography: "HORSES DON'T FLY" by Frederick Libby.

What a joy to read and very educational too!

I purchased "Diary of an Unkown Aviator" in a second hand book shop back in 1970. I believe that it was a 1st Ed., I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more books by this Author, Elliott White Springs.

I have autobiographical books by members of the 95th Aero Squadron also.
I read Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker's book back in '69 and have been long burned out with every model Nieuport 28 with "Hat In The Ring" decals only!
There was also the 27th, 148th, 95th, and possibly others that flew the Nieuport 28 in combat.

About Captain Frederick Libby, I told my friend, "A rather modest fellow with probably a lot more Kills to his credit than shown. He didn't even realise that he had shot down an E.A. on his first time out as an Observer in the R.F.C.!
I would wager that he had more Hard kills to his credit than Rickenbacker!"

As he wasn't as interested in his total claims as he was in doing his job efficiently and all of his fellows returning to their airfield safely.

VBR, Jay aka FOKKERJ

[Kirk]

Eathling - It's not just WWI aviators, the obsession with the enemy appears everywhere. If you build model tanks, the most popular are always the Tigers and Panthers. If you build WWII airplanes, it's the Stukas and Messerschmitts that get the most attention. Maybe it's human nature to be attracted to what is perceived as the "bad guys" or maybe it's just the fact the German aircraft and tanks are more colorful than are the drab Allied mounts. Regardless of the reason(s), I'll admit I have more German tanks and planes in my collection than I do Allied.

As for Elliott White Springs, I agree his writings are worth reading. Heck, chances are if he never wrote there might be a lot fewer of us that frequent this forum.

[FOKKERJ]

Originally Posted by rexee

My Grandfather flew with Elliott White Springs during the war. He described him as "a great guy with a squeeky voice"

Cheers
Rex

Hello Rexee,

Must have been the springs!

Just kiddin', FOKKERJ

[rexee]

Good one Jay !
I knew there was a joke in there somewhere!

Rex

[ONEALM]

Generally Generalizations are inaccurate...

but read my signature anyway

Pretty sure this topic has been broached before.

[EARTHLING]

Hi FokkerJ,

On the other hand, though Libby doesn't mention him by name, it is obvious that he thought Bishop was a fraud. But perhaps we had better gone down that well trodden road,

Regards,

Earthling

[rainbase]

Springs is great fun. His breezy wiseacre style of writing made his books quite popular in its day. What an a amazing life this guy had; I would point anyone towards Burke Davis' fantastic biography of E.W. Springs: Warbird

[EARTHLING]

I know that one shoudn't try to flog a dead horse but here is an exert from 'Above the Bright Blue Sky' and the short story 9214.
9214 is a decrepit Sopwith Camel that the squadron cannot get rid of.

The CO wants a balloon destroyed.

"Here's a chance to spend the rest of the war on Uncle Sam's bounty in perfect safety. We'll protect above and make sure nothing stops you before you get the balloon. Then land. Don't try to come back. There wouldn't be a chance for you. Who'll volunteer for the job?"
There was complete silence.
"Come on, don't all speak at once. Soft job-make a hero out of you in five minutes--I'll see that it gets to the home papers."
Still there was silence. Henry glanced at his pilots and noticed that their faces were white and their lips drawn.
"Come on," urged Henry. "You should all step forward together. Haven't you ever been to the movies? Haven't you ever studied history? Somebody has to do it, if its the C.O. himself. You wouldn't embarrass the C.O. would you? who'd take care of his dog? Well you'll have to draw straws for it."

Henry of course goes himself on 9214 and gets back.

The books aren't expensive and written by somebody who was there.