A History of the 17th Aero Squadron

Frederick Mortimer Clapp

WW Norton, Chicago (xxx)
Copyright 1920, by Frederick Mortimer Clapp

Chapter I - Organization and Training

On May 13, 1917, the 17th Aero Squadron came into being. It's entire personnel were volunteers, from thirty-five states of the Union, and were among the first to arrive at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas.

Being the first to arrive, and as the air service was new, it was always the first to have "experiements" tried upon it. It was the first squadron sent to Canada to be trained by the British; the first squadron to be sent back to the fields near Fort Worth that were to be administered by British and American officers working together; the first completely trained squadron to be sent Overseas with its complete quota of pilots; the first squadron to be attached to British squadrons at the front (and therefore the first in the battle line); and the first squadron to be equipped by the British and brigaded with them, in active service, under their command.

The results of their unconquerable determination to do their best are shown in their record as a fighting unit for the period July 15-October 28, 1918. During fifty-one days on which we sent out offensive patrols over the lines, we destroyed and had confirmed fifty-four enemy machines and balloons and drove down out of control ten more, or in all a total of sixty-four. In other words, we destroyed or drove down 1.25 enemy aircraft for every fighting day of our active operations. For the same period we dropped from low altitudes, on hostile transport and infantry, 1,164 bombs and fired into them 31,806 rounds.

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Lt. George Vaughn, Jr., a pilot in the 17th Aero Squadron flying the Sopwith F-1 "Camel" was officially credited with the destruction of 13 enemy aircraft in action. He was the second ranking ace of the U.S. Air Service to survive the war, surpassed only by Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker who received confirmation for 26 victories while flying the Nieuport 28 and SPAD XIII.

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/ww1/ww1-35.htm

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13 May 1917 56th Service Squadron organized at Kelly Field, Texas, as Company "I", 1st Regiment, Provisional Aviation Camp, by transfer of men from other organizations and by assignment of volunteers until unit reached strength. 16 Jun 1917 17th Aero Squadron redesignated 29th Provisional Aero Squadron from Company "M" 3rd Provisional Aero Squadron. 30 Jul 1917 17th Aero Squadron redesignated from 29th Provisional Aero Squadron. Major Geoffrey Bonnell relieved of command and Captain Robert M. Oldys assigned and assumed command. The Squadron departed, by rail, for Leaside, Toronto, Canada, to obtain training under English methods. This squadron was the first to be sent to Canada for training under the agreement signed by the United States and Great Britain.   4 Aug 1917       17th Aero Squadron Arrived Leaside, Toronto, Canada. 31 Aug 1917 17th and 27th Aero Squadron participated in an inspection by the Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada. In spite of having two week's less drill experience, the 27th Aero Squadron was declared the most efficient unit. 24 Sep 1917 Advance party of 17th Aero Squadron departed Leaside, Canada, for Hicks, Texas.   10 Oct 1917 17th Aero Squadron re-assembled at Leaside, Toronto, Canada, and assigned duty of washing station mascots prior to departure for Texas. One, a large smelly goat, was thoroughly washed and powdered and was later seen staggering around the depot, much the worse for drink, and \wearing a streamer tied on his tail bearing the inscription "17th Aero Squadron, U. S. A." The Other, a large woolly dog, later turned up very cleanl4i shaven all over his body, only tufts of hair being left around paws and at ruff of his neck.    12 Oct 1917 17th Aero Squadron departed Leaside, Canada, for Fort Worth, Texas, under command of Major Geoffrey Bonnell, who rejoined squadron and assumed command.    15 Oct 1917 17th Aero Squadron arrived Fort Worth, Texas, and hiked to Hicks Field, where the squadron was assigned barracks.    1 Nov 1917 Flying Cadet Walter A. Jones, 17th Aero Squadron, was killed in airplane accident near Talliferro Field, This was the first flying casualty suffered by this organization.     23 Dec 1917      17th Aero Squadron arrived Garden City, New York, and was assigned Aviation Concentration Center   awaiting further orders. 9 Jan 1918 17th Aero Squadron entrained at Garden City, New York, for New York City, and immediately upon arrival at New York embarked on SS Carmania, one of a convoy of 14 ships. 24 Jan 1918 17th - Arrived Liverpool, England, after an uneventful voyage. Many rumors had been rife as to what assignment was to be made of the squadron but no definite information had been received. The squadron after landing immediately entrained for Romsey Rest Camp, arriving late in day, 2 Feb 1918 Construction of barracks, hangars, shops, etc. to house the First Pursuit Group was started at VilleneuveLes-Vertus, France, by French and Italian Labor Squadrons, supervised by Organi2ation Center Officers. It was reported that upon organi2ation the First Pursuit Group was to be equipped with 36 type XXVIT Nieuport airplanes. 9 Feb 1918 17th - Squadron sailed from Southampton, England, for Havre, France, aboard channel boat with shipment of mules and equipment destined for use by a Jewish Regiment on its way to Palestine. 10 Feb 1918 17th - Arrived Havre, France and immediately split into detachments. Headquarters Flight was ordered to the 2 7th Squadron R. A. F. at Martigny; " A" Flight was attached to the 84th Squadron, R. A. F. at Quizancourt, France; "B" Flight ordered to 60th Squadron, R. A. F. at St. Marie Cappell on the Flanders front and "C" Flight ordered to 56th Squadron, R. A. F. at Baizieux, France.   21 Mar 1918 17th - Headquarters Flight remained behind when the 24th Squadron, R. A. F. vacated the airdrome at Moreuil, and only a few hours before the Germans reached it. The flight burned the buildings and such supplies as it was necessary to abandon, Before the task was completed the flight was under machine gun fire from the advance elements of the advancing troops. The flight then proceeded to Bertangles ,with the transport of the 24th Squadron. "A" Flight per formed a similar task for the 84th Squadron, R. A. F. at Qui2ancourt and proceeded to Roye to rejoin the84th Squadron. "B" Flight burned the buildings and supplies abandoned by the 60th Squadron, R. A. F., at St. Marie Cappelle and rejoined the squadron at Belluvue.   24 Mar 1918 17th - "A" Flight retreated from Roye to Vert-Galland Farm in the face of the advance elements of the German attack. 26 Mar 1918 17th - 'IC" Flight destroyed airdrome installations at Bai2ieux to prevent their failing into the hands of the enemy when the 60th Squadron, R. A. F. was forced to retreat from original airdrome to new airdrome at Vaheureaux Farm. 28 Mar 1918 17th - " B" Flight remained when the 60th Squadron, R. A. F. vacated the airdrome at Belluvue to destroy the installations and rejoined the squadron at Fienvillers. 29 Mar 1918 17th - "A" Flight destroyed abandoned supplies at VertGaland Farm when the 84th Squadron, R. A. F. retreated to Maison-Pontheiu. 1 Apr 1918 17th - Headquarters flight detached from 24th Squadron, R. A. F. and placed under control of the 22nd Wing, Royal Air Force, as an Independent Salvage Section. 5 Apr 1918 17th - "All Flight moved with 84th Squadron, R. A. F. from Vert-Gailand Farm to Bertangles when unit moved up after lines were straightened. 12 Apr 1918 17th - "B" Flight destroyed installations at the airdrome near Rougefay when 60th Squadron, R. A. F. retreated in face of German advance. The following commendation was received from the Colonel commanding the Troops of the District of Toul       TOUL, April 14, 1918.       THE COLONEL COMMANDING THE TROOPS   FROM: Colonel Corbiere, Commanding the Troops of the Place De Toul.   TO: Major Huffer, Commanding the American Squadron, 94.       My dear Comrade:       In my capacity as the Commandant of the Troops of Toul, I wish to send you, both in my name, and in the name of the troops of the Town, my most sincere compliments for our splendid success of to day. It was because of its immediate readiness, its initiative, its organi2ation and the rapidity with which the pilots took the air, that the escadrille under your orders has obtained the brilliant result. Two German Avions brought down after one minute of combat. The garrison and the population of the town of Toul are happy in the victory for American Aviation, and in it they foresee yet more glorious successes in the future. I would be very glad if you would express to the personnel of the squadron under your orders the sentiments of admiration toward them, of the population of the town and of the troops, and if you would convey to them my own sincere good wishes. CORBIERE 5 May 1918 GROUP - Headquarters 1st Pursuit Organization Center redesignated 1st Pursuit Group Headquarters and the 94th and 95th Aero Squadron assigned to the 1st Pursuit Group which was organized at Gengoult, France, under command of Major B. M. Atkinson, 20 May 1918 17th - Headquarters Flight relieved from 22nd Wing, R. A. F. and established as separate organization. The Headquarters Flight in five weeks had salvaged Z5 enemy planes and fourteen British planes. "A" Flight was relieved from the 84th Squadron, "Bl' Flight relieved from the 60th Squadron, "C" Flight relieved from the 56th Squadron, R. A. F. and united with the Headquarters Flight to again establish the unity of the squadron which was then assigned the 3rd Squadron, Royal Air Force, to learn about maintenance of the Sopwith Camels which were to be assigned the unit, 21 May 1918 The Group established a bath at the rear of the camp. All who preferred to do so were authorized to bath in the creek at the foot of the hill but all squadrons were assigned separate days, both for the baths established by the group and the creek. 1 Jun 1918 GROUP - Orders issued for all concerned to keep to the roads, not to cross the airdrome due to gradual building of paths which revealed the location of the Group; to extinguish vehicle lights at night and that water stored in the reservoir was not to be wasted and under no circumstances was it to be used for the purpose of washing cars or vehicles. 3 Jun 1918 GROUP - The Group was visited by Major General Foulois, Chief of Air Service at 2:00 PM, to observe the results of the training undergone by the Group. Orders were issued to all units to conserve food insofar as was possible. 6 Jun 1918 GROUP - Orders were issued for all units to be ready to move to the rear at a moment's notice due to the threatened German Drive. A memorandum was received from the Chief of Air Service, Major General Mason V. Patrick, and read to all squadrons assembled for the purpose. The Chief of Air Service requested that each individual co-operate to the fullest extent, stressing the fact that "It is not enough for each one to do his Individual best". 8 Jun 1918 GROUP - A baseball team picked from among the squadrons of the Group journeyed to the grounds of Evacuation Hospital No, 9, and defeated the Hospital team by a close score. 16 Jun 1918 GROUP - Due to the German practice of flying mass formations the commands of the Group practiced formation flying in groups of from Fifteen to eighteen planes. 18 Jun 1918 GROUP - A rigid censorship was invoked. Due to the prevalence of absence without leave among certain squadrons of the Group, the following memorandum appeared: "The next soldier of this command reported absent without leave will be sent for trial by a General Courts -Martial, recommending that he be sentenced to six months hard labor and then transferred to the Infantry." 20 Jun 1918 17th - All flights were reassembled at Petit Snythe (near Dunkirk) and consolidated as one unit under 1st Lieutenant Samuel P. Eckert, as Commanding Officer, and assigned 65th British Wing, Royal Air Force. The –First night that the squadron was at the new station a German air raid had as its objective the airdrome near Petit Snythe and material and rations of the squadron were destroyed by bombs   GROUP - Instructions were issued that no distinguishing marks and insignia would be worn by any members of the Group. 25 Jun 1918 17th - Squadron authorized to carry a white dumbbell in a black triangle as distinctive insignia, 28 Jun 1918   GROUP - Instructions received with reference to reporting any of tie following German Air Units if observed on this front:   1st Pursuit Squadron (Richtofen) believed to be on Somme Front, consisting of 4th -Pursuit Flight (Sky-blue tails), 6th Pursuit Flight (Yellow Tail), 10th Pursuit Flight (White and Blue Tails), and 11th Pursuit Flight (Black Fuselage and Tail). One other flight of the squadron (It is not known which) has tail planes painted in black and white stripes; further one or more machines of the squadron are painted completely red in imitation of Richtofen .   8th Pursuit Squadron (Captain Schleich) believed to be in Carrbrai Area, consisting of 23rd (Bavarian), Z5th (Bavarian) and 59th Pursuit Flights. Marking is a long "VEE" on the top plane, the apex being over the leading edge of the center section; and on the bottom surface of the lower plane a black line on either side of the fuselage running from the inner corner of the leading edge diagonally across the plane, thus representing the arms of a "VEE".   28th Pursuit Flight, machines painted completely black, believed to be on Somme Front.   46th Pursuit Flight, machines painted in Green and Yellow stripes, believed to be on Somme Front.   76th (Bavarian) Pursuit Flight, known to be on Somme Front, tail planes painted in Blue and White stripes.   77th (Bavarian) Pursuit Flight, known to be on Somme Front, White rudder and Blue Fin.   The Boelke StafFel (number unknown), location unknown, all machines painted a solid blue.   Zimmerman Staffel (number unknown), location unknown, all machines painted in Orange, Black and White stripes.   Number 3 Staffel, painted in Checkerboard, newly equipped with the Sieman-Schuckard planes, performance of which is unknown.   Loezer Staffel, known to be on this front, fuselages painted a solid yellow.   Number I Staffel, known to be on this front, machines painted Scarlet and Red. 29 Jun 1918 GROUP - All officers walked the airdrome at Touquin to locate holes and spots where work was necessary to put airdrome in flying condition. Officers of all squadrons were billetted in a Chateau near the airdrome and enlisted men were billeted in houses in the town. 2 Jul 1918 GROUP - Due to the large number of fatal accidents in other portions of the sector, it became necessary to issue instructions that no pistol or rifle practice would be engaged in other than on the limits of the rifle range. Message received from Aeronautic Headquarters Vlth French, Army: "Yesterday's attack was a complete success. The protection given by the First Pursuit Group, TJ.S. A. was very good. We are informed that one American plane fell one Kilometer west of Pavant. Pilot Wounded".     For the rest of the squadron timeline go to: http://www.1stfighter.org/history/1918.html The above was excerpts from: 1st Pursuit Group History – 1918 Comprised of 17th, 27th, 94th, 95th, 103rd, 147th, and 183rd Aero Squadrons Compilations Courtesy of SSgt John DesHetler, 1st Fighter Wing History Office, Langley AFB, VA

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 The virtual RB3D 17th Aero squadron was formed on Sept. 11th, 2002, honoring those who have sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom ... civilian and military alike.