A Pair of Aces and a Trey: 1st Lieutenants William P. Erwin, Arthur E. Easterbrook, and Byrne V. Baucom: America’s Top Scoring World War I Observation Pilot and Observers

A Pair of Aces and a Trey: 1st Lieutenants William P. Erwin, Arthur E. Easterbrook, and Byrne V. Baucom: America’s Top Scoring World War I Observation Pilot and Observers
by: Alan L. Roesler (Author)
Publisher: Casemate
Publication Date: 2023/2/22
Language: English
Print Length: 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1636241875
ISBN-13: 9781636241876
Book Description
“Roesler’s work emphasizes three interesting individuals with some discussion on technical details and mission parameters. It is a most welcome addition to any aerial reconnaissance collection.”― The Journal of the Air Force Historical FoundationTrained as a pursuit pilot but assigned to an observation squadron, the indefatigable Bill Erwin flew twice as many hours over the front lines as any other pilot in the 1st Aero Squadron. His two primary observers, Byrne Baucom and Arthur Easterbrook, were both previously Army infantry officers and deadly marksmen. It was their dedication, bravery, and courage under fire that kept them alive throughout the Château-Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. Easterbrook scored four of his five victories while flying with Erwin, including two in one day, while Baucom scored all three of his victories with Erwin. Even after returning in shredded Salmsons, being forced down, and shot down on multiple occasions, all three remained relatively unscathed throughout the war.Erwin’s dramatic life culminated in his disappearance during the 1927 Dole Air Race, while Easterbrook became a respected figure in Washington. Revered in his home state of Texas, Baucom became a pilot in the 1920s and rose to become an instructor at an advanced flying school. He died in an aircraft crash in 1928. While Erwin became Dallas’s ‘favorite son’ in life, three thousand people paid tributes to Baucom at his funeral, showing his immense popularity. Easterbrook was the only one of the three to survive to reach his military career potential, retiring as a brigadier general after World War II. Alan Roesler retraces the lives and careers of the three men in this new joint biography.Table of ContentsChapter One: William P. Erwin, Byrne V. Baucom & Château-Thierry Offensive Operations, July 1918Chapter Two: Black Thursday—1st Aero Squadron and 1st Pursuit Group’s Worst DayChapter Three: St. Mihiel Operations & Easterbrook’s ArrivalChapter Four: Meuse-Argonne Offensive OperationsChapter Five: The Final AssaultChapter Six: Postwar—Erwin’s Early Return to Participate in America’s Victory LoanChapter Seven: “Lone Star Bill”and the Dole Air RaceChapter Eight: Career Accomplishments & Conclusions
About the Author
“Roesler’s work emphasizes three interesting individuals with some discussion on technical details and mission parameters. It is a most welcome addition to any aerial reconnaissance collection.”― The Journal of the Air Force Historical FoundationTrained as a pursuit pilot but assigned to an observation squadron, the indefatigable Bill Erwin flew twice as many hours over the front lines as any other pilot in the 1st Aero Squadron. His two primary observers, Byrne Baucom and Arthur Easterbrook, were both previously Army infantry officers and deadly marksmen. It was their dedication, bravery, and courage under fire that kept them alive throughout the Château-Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. Easterbrook scored four of his five victories while flying with Erwin, including two in one day, while Baucom scored all three of his victories with Erwin. Even after returning in shredded Salmsons, being forced down, and shot down on multiple occasions, all three remained relatively unscathed throughout the war.Erwin’s dramatic life culminated in his disappearance during the 1927 Dole Air Race, while Easterbrook became a respected figure in Washington. Revered in his home state of Texas, Baucom became a pilot in the 1920s and rose to become an instructor at an advanced flying school. He died in an aircraft crash in 1928. While Erwin became Dallas’s ‘favorite son’ in life, three thousand people paid tributes to Baucom at his funeral, showing his immense popularity. Easterbrook was the only one of the three to survive to reach his military career potential, retiring as a brigadier general after World War II. Alan Roesler retraces the lives and careers of the three men in this new joint biography.Table of ContentsChapter One: William P. Erwin, Byrne V. Baucom & Château-Thierry Offensive Operations, July 1918Chapter Two: Black Thursday—1st Aero Squadron and 1st Pursuit Group’s Worst DayChapter Three: St. Mihiel Operations & Easterbrook’s ArrivalChapter Four: Meuse-Argonne Offensive OperationsChapter Five: The Final AssaultChapter Six: Postwar—Erwin’s Early Return to Participate in America’s Victory LoanChapter Seven: “Lone Star Bill”and the Dole Air RaceChapter Eight: Career Accomplishments & Conclusions Read more