2nd Lafayette Escadrille, Morocco 1925

spad · 27 October 2024, 07:28 AM

https://legation.org/when-americans-...e-cherifienne/

"A Lafayette Escadrille was formed in Paris for service in Morocco. Granville A. Pollock of New Orleans and Charles W. Kerwood of Philadelphia volunteered to pilot bombing airplanes, and Charles Sweeney and Paul Rockwell, U. S. veterans of the Foreign Legion, volunteered as observers."

Does anyone have a list of the American aircrew who served in this Breguet 14 escadrille? Was it only these two pilots and two observers. I thought there were others but so far haven't located details.

Granville Alexander Pollock was an LFC alumnus with service in SPA102 and SPA65 during WW1. He transferred to the USAS but saw no action with them before his discharge.

Charles Wayne Kerwood flew with the Lafayette Flying Corps in World War I, he was a bombing pilot with Br.117. POW 1918. He also commanded the Greek Royal Air Force in the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922), and lead a Volunteer American Squadron in support of the French-Spanish Campaign against the Berber Tribes of the North African Rif (1920-1926).

Did Kerwood fly in the Greek Air Force against the Turks? Did any other Americans?

K

spad · 27 October 2024, 07:51 AM

I may have found my answer to Kerwood flying in Greece.

https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/for...ction-part-ii/

K

spad · 27 October 2024, 08:04 AM

https://zozzledcocktail.wordpress.co...urnt-fusalage/

spad · 27 October 2024, 08:24 AM

https://www.loc.gov/item/95502129/

Austen Parker was another pilot. He'd flown with SPA85 and 98, later flew seaplane fighters with 241a squadriglia. So three former LFC pilots identified. Weller and Buller are obviously aircrew but neither appear in Gordon's history of the LFC.

The squadron operated seven Breguet 14.

K

ONEALM · 29 October 2024, 04:47 PM

SPAD - There were a number of Americans in this group - Lansing Holden was another. There was a nice article in Aviation Quarterly quite some time ago. If I run across a copy, I will post it for you.
Mike

spad · 30 October 2024, 12:39 PM

Many thanks chum. I thought there were others.

I have been investigating the more obscure perameters of my knowledge database and found these chaps interesting. Sadly, late at night after a few glasses of wine I also spent £400 on an Italian seaplane fighter model, bottles of Barolo and and a rather colourful African Thobe so my budget for hobbies has hit the crash-test.

The Thobe will show itself in sharp relief to my bale Scottish skin, but freak my Conservative party, Rotary club, golfing neighbour into a swoon! Wait 'til he sees the skull-cap

K