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Bert Frandsen
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Hat in the Ring: The Birth of American Air Power in the Great War Paperback – Illustrated, July 6, 2010

by Bert Frandsen (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
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When Congress declared war in April 1917, the Europeans had already deployed their third generation of fighters, equipped with machine guns and capable of speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, while the American Air Service consisted of only a handful of aviators in unarmed trainers. In this first in-depth study of America's first air warriors, Frandsen shows how in just two years the 1st Pursuit Group organized, absorbed French and British technology and experience, and became a well-led, respected, and lethal force over the trenches of the Western Front.

Fascinating portraits of America’s first aviation leaders and legends, including Eddie Rickenbacker, Billy Mitchell, Frank Luke, Benjamin Foulouis, Bert Atkinson, and James Meissner, provide new and controversial perspective on one of America’s least understood wars and on the origins of the most powerful air force in history. Toxic personalities, competing French-British tactics and aircraft, and an experienced, aggressive enemy forced the Americans into a tactical crucible with deadly results, including 73 casualties in the Meuse-Argonne campaign alone.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    July 6, 2010
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.71 x 8.98 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1588342816
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1588342812
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bert Frandsen has a Ph.D. in the history of technology from Auburn University and is an assistant professor of joint warfare studies at the USAF Air Command and Staff College. He lives in Alabama.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Smithsonian Books; Illustrated edition (July 6, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1588342816
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1588342812
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.71 x 8.98 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 14 ratings

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Bert Frandsen

Bert Frandsen

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
14 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

T. War.
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book on WWI Aviation and the founding of US Air Service.
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is great. It provides plenty of information of how the US Air Service went from a few pilots with no combat experience to achieving air supremacy on a global scale. Frandsen writes a wonderful book with plenty of back story about the founding pilots of the AEF, numerous statistics, and much more. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in military history, WWI history, aviation history, or just for a good read.
One person found this helpful
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Dave Monds
3.0 out of 5 stars Clearly not written by someone with an intimate knowledge of ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
Clearly not written by someone with an intimate knowledge of aviation or as an true prose on air power but well researched and a new dynamic on the RFC/GAS dominated texts of the era.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2015
Verified Purchase
A good historical review of The birth of America's Air Force and the evolution of Aircraft in combat. HFD
One person found this helpful
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philip van dyck
5.0 out of 5 stars very good
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2013
Verified Purchase
Dr. Frandsen is a fine writer and an eminent historian. A must for aviation history lovers. Let's hear more from this author.
One person found this helpful
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Ash
5.0 out of 5 stars Good seller
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2010
Verified Purchase
Great transaction. This is not as good of a book as I thought but I bought it for a great price! Thanks!
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James Hoogerwerf
5.0 out of 5 stars Extensive research underscores the author's narrative.
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2004
Frandsen argues the birth of American air power is attributable to a synthesis of technological transfer from our WWI British and French allies adapted to American values in order to quickly learn the art of aerial warfare to effectively engage the German enemy. Americans were latecomers to the war in Europe. Nonetheless their contribution was critical.

The war had been dragging on for years and attrition was taking its toll on Allied and German forces. Once the United States was committed, it was essential to quickly field an effective fighting force to tip the balance. The challenge was formidable, particularly concerning the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps.

Only fifty-seven pilots and two hundred obsolescent aircraft were available in the Signal Corps. General Pershing made a critical "decision to conduct the final organization and training for the Air service in France set the stage for the transfer of skills, equipment, and ideas while the Air Service and its units were in their most receptive, formative stages of organization."(266) Col. Ryanal Bolling, realizing the inadequacy of American aviation technology, negotiated with the French to supply aircraft. Two types were eventually acquired, the maneuverable Niewport 28 and the rugged Spad 13. By the end of the war the 1st Pursuit Group had five squadrons and a hundred planes.

Frandsen effectively traces the development of America's pursuit forces from inception through the end of the war. The men involved came from differing backgrounds. Some were insider regular army professionals such as Gen. Billy Mitchell, Harvard educated elites such as Philip J. Roosevelt, and "outsiders" such as Eddie Rickenbacker and Raoul Lufbery who didn't seem to fit in. Not only were foreign aircraft used, but the training and culture differences from the French and British infused American personnel. Leadership and organization evolved under combat conditions which set the pattern of tactics and strategy. The tradition of "fighting commanders" was set by Rickenbacker and Meissner.

Technological transfer is the main theme in Hat in the Ring and is evident throughout Frandsen's book. The use of allied airplanes has already been mentioned. Moreover the 1st Pursuit Group's Organization and Training Center was set alongside that of the French Escadre 1. Thus American forces learned squadron and group level pursuit operations. Notwithstanding this proximity to the French, American air forces were organized into squadrons modeling the Royal Flying Corps, but still used the French example for group and wing organization.

American fliers developed their own strategy for aerial combat from British and French examples. The French used a "slash and dash" technique while the British engaged in a more aggressive "dog fighting" method. Americans combined both to achieve air superiority. The advantage of height was used for "slash and dash" surprise and speed, but Americans saw it was only prudent to engage in "dog fighting" when the risks warranted.

How were Americans effectively able to innovate, adapt, and synthesis technology in such a short Time? Frandsen`s answer is that "the mobilization and training that spanned two continents reflected the same technological ethos of efficiency, interchangeability, and system that culminated in Henry ford's program of mass production."(11)
12 people found this helpful
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Michael G. Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars Hat in the Ring
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2008
Written by a member of the USAF Air Command and Staff College this is not you're usually yarn of the 94th Aero Squadron in the Great War. A very interesting read the author details the struggle to form the US Army Air Service from almost nothing to a fighting force that betters the Imperial German Air Service in less than 2 years. The struggle between the Regulars, Reserves, ground and flying officers as well as the ivy leaguers and those from the working class shows the inner workings of the Air Service taking shape in France. This struggle is overlooked or glossed over in the memoirs of the participants that I have read. If you have ever served in a Squadron or Battalion (or higher) you will find this hard to put down. A professional's look at the beginnings (wooden propellers and iron men) of the US Air Force.
5 people found this helpful
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J. T. Webb
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2005
If you enjoy reading about US World War One aviation, this is an excellent book. Easy to read, well paced, insightful and capped off with original research. It is a pleasant surprise that a book so encompassing about US World War One aviation, is narrow in scope--one group. If you read the book, that statement will make sense. If I could travel back to France and step into any one those original squadrons, I would know the people I'm flying with. Not many books can provide the reader with such a grand and intimate story.
7 people found this helpful
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