Introduction

The 19^th Bomb Group did not exist at the time of WW I, however it inherited much from that period, the squadron logos being the most obvious. WW I saw the first use of the airplane as a weapon of war. The airplane & it’s application was being invented and upgraded to perform newly possible tasks.

Events vs Time

1913 F. D. Roosevelt Assistant Secretary of Navy from 1913 to 1918

1914 Model-T Ford Automobiles go into mass production

1914 World War I starts in Europe

1917 US declares war on Germany

1916 – Origin of Logos – American Volunteers in France

Raoul Lufbery, 3^rd ranking US ace is shown in his Nieuport, with it’s Indian emblem.

In 1916 American Volunteers began serving in the French Air Force. 130 American volunteers, in 93 French Sqds, formed into the Lafayette Esquadrille.

Within a month, May 20, 1916 K. Rockwell scored the first US victory. Rockwell Field CA was named after him (now Naval Air Station N. Island San Diego)

Some 43 Americans were killed when shooting downed 199 German planes.

Two future 19^th BG squadrons activated in 1917 adopted Indian Logos.

1917 Activate and Train

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28^th Sqd activated at Camp Kelly TX Jun 20 1917. Trained with RAF at Toronto & Deseronton Ont. Returned to Garden City NY Jan 5 1918, arrived France Mar 20 1918

93^rd Sqd activated at Camp Kelly TX Aug 29, 1917. Trained at Beauulieu England, arrived Issoudun France July 7, 1918.

30^th Sqd activated at Camp Kelly TX Jun 13, 1917. Trained in Britain, arrived in Etampes France Sept 19, 1918.

1918 WW I – Service in France – 28^th, 30^th & 93^rd Sqds Flew Spad XIII

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French Spad XIII British Vickers guns on French Spad Bomb Aimer - Dropper

28^th arrived France 03-20-18 attached to RAF supporting British 2^nd & 5^th Army. March they flew from St. Marie-Chappel, Nord, Pascde-Calais and Somme. April & May the flew from Boisdenhem and Alquines. June they assembled at St Omer with Hdq A & B flights in Flanders and C flight in Picardy. A flight joined C flight which moved to Rousscauville in Armiens sector with RAF 25^th sqd flying Tactical flights at Villers-Vrettonneous, Beauvais & Rousseauville in support of the Somme offensive. July and August they operated with the RAF out of Issoudun & Orly.

93^rd arrived France 07-07-18 attached to the RAF at Issoudun & Vancouleurs.

28^th 09-16-18 & 93^rd 09-31-18 were placed in the 3^rd pursuit attached to the US 1^st Army operating out of Barrois and Foucaucacourt until the war ended.

30^th arrived France 09-18-18 at Etampes & Issoudun in support of the US 1^st Army until ended.

1919 Return & Demobilize

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The DH-4’s size was Length 29’ 11”, Wingspan 42’ 5”, height 9’ 8” – the Liberty 12A engine had 416 hp.

The US brought 1000 DeHavoland DH-4 aircraft from the British in 1919.

The 28^th, 30^th & 93^rd Sqds returned from France to Mitchell Field NY and flew the DH-4’s

All three squadrons were demobilized 06-16-1919

Commentary

The Army and Navy experimented with their own air arm. By the end of WW I air operations were building a foundation leading to a separate branch of service. A new language came into being as well as the need for specialized bases, facilities and personnel. The Army and Navy wanted to use the new capability and “own” the associated funding people and equipment. It was only a matter of time before it become obvious that Air Power could be better served as an independent function. The Army Air Corp would continue through WW II – becoming a separate function in practice during WW II and officially separate with uniform and branch identity after WW II. Army Air Corp Basic training followed an Army format, except Platoons became flights – it took time for a “soldier” to be called an “airman” – primarily because only about 1 in 4 of those in an Air Force are flight crew. In the world of the 21^st century the introduction of instant communication and smart weapons have again changed the organizational structure as well as the weapons. The human is unchanged, an ancient model animal, with his unique and varied attributes evolved in a different time -- now commands weapons of an awesome kind.

Aircraft & Engines 1903-1919

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