2018 marks the 33rd year of production of our outstanding journal Over the Front; free with membership in the League of WWI Aviation Historians. 2018 will be another exciting year of outstanding historical articles in our world class journal, and the cost of a basic membership is just $65. To sign up CLICK HERE. The League remains the preeminent group for all things WWI Aviation History. Be a part of the great community that is the League of WWI Aviation Historians!
We are saddened to learn of the death of long-time League member and contributor Dieter Gröschel, on March 12, 2018. All of us have learned from his Journal contributions, and many have also benefitted from his aid in research efforts.
His family will place a memorial bench in the Ivy Creek Natural Area in Charlottesville, VA. Dieter and his wife were founding members of the Ivy Creek Foundation, established for local environmental preservation and education; in recognition of this, donations to the Foundation in his memory seem appropriate.
A fuller tribute, by Greg Van Wyngarten, will appear in an upcoming issue of Over the Front.
The Winter 2017 Issue is at the printer.
Issue Editor Colin Owers has yet another wide-ranging issue for us to wrap up Volume 32.
With DeTurenne - Gamecock of the Air Colin Owers, Jon Guttman and David Mechin present a translation of an interview with Capitaine Armand de Turenne, 15 victory ace who served with SPA 48 and SPA 12.
In Leutnant Max Ritter von Mulzer; The Bavarian Flying Corps’ First Pour le Merite Recipient German correspondent Reinhard Kastner relates the career of Leutnant Max Mulzer, the first Bavarian recipient of the Pour le Merite.
The Courtis-Suffit Lescop Fighter The little known French designed Courtis-Suffit Lescop fighter is the subject of Colin Owers' essay on this innovative airplane. While never developed, it incorporated unique design elements that would come into wide use post-war.
In Memorium: Maria Fede Caproni reviews the life and far-reaching influence of Countess Maria Fede Caproni in a memorial tribute by Italian correspondent and League member Gregory Alegi.
The Editors have prepared a photo essay on 1/Lt. John "Jack" Rumsey in Egypt.
With The Short Bomber, Colin rounds off this issue with a copiously illustrated history of the development of the Short Bomber. Used by the RNAS, the aircraft suffered teething and production troubles, presented in detail by the issue editor.
21 April 2018 marks the centennial of the demise of Rittmeister Baron Manfred von Richthofen, being shot down and killed near Vaux-sur Somme, France. WWI aviation historians from around the world have visited this site and more plan on perhaps some informal commemoration there, the morning of, to mark the day.
The meeting is at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on the Hangar Floor Level, Classroom 2a and2b
Since the National Museum of the United States Air Force has no monument honoring World War I airmen, the League has undertaken creation of one, to be unveiled on September 21, 2018, at the Dawn Patrol fly-in.
The 2018 Seminar is now being planned. If you would like to get involved in this, please contact League President Mike O'Neal.
The Isle of Jersey has announced the issue of a set of six stamps commemorating World War I aviation, and featuring the work of League member and frequent cover illustrator Russell Smith
