Knights Without Parachutes — ernst udet

World War 1 Armistice Day Centenary

November 10, 2018 • 147th aero squadron • 94th aero squadron • alvin york • armistice • eddie rickenbacker • ernst udet • eugene bullard • frederick libby • influenza • jimmy doolittle • luckiest man alive • us enters war • wwi

"I glanced at my watch. One minute to 11:00, thirty seconds, fifteen. And then it was 11:00 A.M., the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. I was the only audience for the greatest show ever presented."

Armistice? Or Keep Going?

November 03, 2018 • 94th aero squadron • armistice • eddie rickenbacker • ernst udet • field kindley • fokkers • harley motorcycle • influenza • maxwell kirby • pershing • rene fonck • wwi

Don't waste this fighting spirit, Pershing warned, "An armistice would lead the Allied Armies to believe this the end of fighting and it would be difficult if not impossible to resume hostilities with our present advantage in morale in the event of failure to secure at a peace conference what we have fought for."

Rickenbacker's Medal of Honor and Udet's Last Victory

September 22, 2018 • eddie rickenbacker • ernst udet • francis lowry

"I cut back the engine and dived silently on the last Fokker. He glanced behind him at the same moment that I pressed my triggers. He tried to pull away, and that was his last living act."

What to Do When Your Ammo is on Fire

August 25, 2018 • eddie rickenbacker • ernst udet • frederick libby • red baron

There are many dangers in being high in the air in a craft made of wood, canvas, and dope, carrying a load of fuel, powered by what is supposed to be a smooth series of explosions in the engine, and creating other explosions by firing a gun.

One effect of all those explosions is that the engine and the gun can get rather hot.

Udet Shoots Down Wanamaker - July 2, 1918

July 07, 2018 • eddie rickenbacker • ernst udet

Yet it was good that "we can now shake hands and show the American youth that honest enemies can become honest friends when the fighting is over."