The 147th Aero Squadron in World War I: A Training and Combat History of the “Who Said Rats” Squadron

THE 147TH AERO SQUADRON IN WORLD WAR I: A TRAINING AND COMBAT HISTORY OF THE "WHO SAID RATS" SQUADRONJACK STOKES BALLARD AND JAMES JOHN PARKSSCHIFFER PUBLISHING, 2013HARDCOVER, $59.99, 240 PAGES, PHOTOGRAPHS, MAPS, ILLUSTRATIONS, ENDNOTES, BIBLIOGRAPHY, APPENDICES, INDEXThe United States entered World War I on 6 April 1917. The famed Lafayette Escadrille's experienced American aviators-flying for France, were used as the nucleus of the new American squadrons. The first operational fighter squadrons were the 27th, 94th, 95th, 147th Aero Squadrons, and, in the war's final months, the 185th Aero Squadron. They were grouped together as the 1st Pursuit Group. In April, 1918, a year after the U.S. joined the war, the 1st Pursuit Group started operating from Toul-at first with Nieuport 28s flown without machine guns that were in support of the Chateau-Thierry sector and it was there that the 1st Pursuit Group started seeing heavy action.Initially, they were in the "quiet sector" based in Toul, learning some basic tactics, sometimes patrolling with unarmed fighter aircraft and not seeing much combat. From 26 June to 8 July 1918, the 1st Pursuit Group rebased to Touquin, France, 45 miles east of Paris. From 9 July to 1 September 1918, the 1st Pursuit Group rebased again, this time merely three miles away to the village of Saints. While in Saints, the men were billeted in the adjacent village of Mauperthuis. At the start of September they relocated to Rembercourt where they remained for the duration of the war.From mid-April, 1918 to 11 November 1918, aviators of the 1st Pursuit Group had participated in 1, 413 aerial engagements, shot down 50 balloons and 151 aircraft. Nineteen of the aviators became aces-5 or more kills. They included Eddie Rickenbacker with 26, Frank Luke, Jr. with 18 and many others.Although the U.S. Army Air Service (USAS) never succeeded in fielding an indigenously designed aircraft before the Armistice on 11 November 1918, it assembled a sizeable force using aircraft bought-or in the case of the de Havilland DH-4, built under license-from its French and British allies. During the USAS' relatively short time in combat, several of its squadrons and aviators managed to acquire a reputation worthy of their allies and adversaries.The 147th Aero Squadron was a pursuit squadron. It was assigned to the U.S. First Army on 29 May 1918 and reached the Western Front at Toul on 1 June 1918. The squadron was engaged in operations in the Toul sector, at Chateau-Thierry, St. Mihiel, and the Argonne-Meuse First and Second Offensives. This squadron accomplished many patrols and raids over German territory, engaged in 102 fighter engagements, and received official confirmation for 31 victories. It suffered 8 casualties-7 killed and 1 missing. It ceased operations on 5 December 1918.The 147th's emblem was a rat terrier, allegedly modeled after one that its commander officer, Major Geoffrey H. Bonnell, remembered from his time with a previous squadron that he had flown with in the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC), under which was often added the slogan "Who said rats!" Later, a dead black rat would be added under the terrier's paws.As with any book of this type, there are a few wrongly worded photographs. They are listed below:*Page 95-This shows the large, bold rendition of C-15 on his upper wing. Barely visible is the rat terrier squadron insignia which was rendered smaller and higher on the fuselage than was normally the case.*Page 103-2nd Lieutenant John H. Stevens poses with an early Nieuport 28 boasting an over wing Lewis machine gun mount that was subsequently removed. Stevens was killed in action on 31 July 1918.*Page 111-This is a Nieuport N6 256 "Black 15", which has the white cowling and wheel hubs (the latter not visible in this photograph) of C Flight. Porter shared his first two victories with several other 147th aviators on 2 July 1918.*Page 145-This aircraft was brought down by Lt. Hermann Frommherz of Jasta Boelcke on 15 July 1918 and pleased to have survived is 2nd Lieutenant George A.S. Robertson. His Nieuport N6232 "Black 5" was photographed before being sent back to the U.S. for repairs.*Page 147-This aircraft was brought down in Allied lines on 15 July 1918 by Lt. Harry von Bulow of Jasta 36. This is 2nd Lieutenant Abernethy grinning gratefully beside Robertson's Nieuport.*Page 150-This is 1st Lieutenant Wilbert White (left) and 2nd Lieutenant Louis C. "Red" Simon standing alongside the former's Nieuport N6284 "Black 13" in July, 1918. White would later be killed in a mid-air collision with his 8th victory on 10 October 1918.*Page 152-This is 2nd Lieutenant William E. Brotherton posing beside his Nieuport N6334 "Black 16", whose white cowling is decorated with a black snake. "Bedroll" Brotherton, together with Captain Meissner, scored the last Nieuport 28 victory on 1 August 1918.*Page 166-There is a larger photograph of this one on Page 111.*Page 193-This is Nieuport N6235 which was taken on 22 July 1918 when Meissner was a captain.*Page 197-This is Love's Spad S15521 "White 7" which was shot down by Lt. Franz Buchner of Jasta 113 on 15 September 1918. Love died on 16 September 1918 from his injuries.*Page 219-Appendix C is a List of Commanding Officers. On this list, 1st Lieutenant John A. Humbleton should actually be listed as acting commander while 1st Lieutenant James Meissner should be listed as a captain. Also, Bonnell was transferred to the Gunnery School located at St. Jean de Moat on 22 July 1918 not 23 July 1918.THE 147TH AERO SQUADRON IN WORLD WAR I: A TRAINING AND COMBAT HISTORY OF THE "WHO SAID RATS" SQUADRON is a well researched and informative book that gives the reader an excellent unit history of a much overlooked squadron. From its formation to its de-activation, the book is full of details which is supplemented with photographs (some never before published). Author Jack Ballard has brought one of the many obscure aviation units of World War I into the limelight. While many Americans are aware of the famous 94th Aero "Hat In The Ring" Squadron, very few remember that there were a number of other squadrons that contributed to the war effort. Schiffer Publishing has done a great service by publishing this long overdue tribute to one of those squadrons, the 147th Aero Squadron.Colonel Robert A. Lynn, Florida GuardOrlando, Florida