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The Lafayette Escadrille (from the French: Escadrille de La Fayette) was an escadrille of the French Air Service, the Aéronautique Militaire, during World War I composed largely of American volunteer pilots flying French fighters.
The aim was to have the squadron's efforts recognized by the American public and thus, it was hoped, the resulting publicity would rouse interest in abandoning neutrality and joining the fight.

By August 1917 the La Fayette Escadrille had won four Legions of Honor, seven Medailles Militaire and thirty one citations, each citation accompanied by a Croix de Guerre.

We fly bearing this great name to both honor & emulate the spirit and camaraderie of these great pilots of yesteryear, as well as to bring a little history to the game of Dogfight that we all enjoy so much.


The squadron has been showcased in many films including Flyboys, The Lafayette Escadrille (starring Tab Hunter & a young Clint Eastwood) Dawn Patrol (starring Errol Flynn amongst others) & Legion of the Condemned & Hell in the Heavens.

Two Lafayette Escadrille fliers, James Norman Hall and Charles Nordhoff, co-authored the world-famous Mutiny on the Bounty (1932) which has been filmed three times.

The Lafayette Flying Corps also boasted William A. "Wild Bill" Wellman (1896–1975), Director of "Wings" (the first motion picture to EVER win the Academy Award!) as well as the first black fighter pilot, who in order to escape racial prejudice ran off to France as a young man.. then had joined the French Foreign Legion & while recovering from wounds went to aerial training: Eugene Jacques Bullard, the world's first black military pilot (93 Spad Squadron) Although not a member of the actual Escadrille he was a member of the Corps as not all American pilots were in Lafayette Escadrille; other American pilots fought for France as part of the Lafayette Flying Corps. (more about Bullard & other pilots on page 2 of this thread)

For more information as well as a ton of pictures about the Lafayette Escadrille please check out this website: Lafayette Escadrille

Life as a pilot in the Lafayette Escadrille - www.worldwar1.com/heritage/le_verdun.htm

Motivations of the pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille - www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwi/articl...yetteescadrille.aspx






The pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille were known as the Valiant 38 so in honor of those pilots our squadron will consist of no more than 38 pilots (plus the 5 French officers which flew in combat) which gives us a total active flight roster of 43 in all. (not including those in our 'Honored Reserve' Wing)*

_{*which is those pilots whose name is in GOLD who just no longer play as far as we know. After more than 180 days [6 months] without playing they are moved out of the escadrille and into the MIA/Honored Reserve Wing}

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In Our Sister Squadron- Aquilas Aztecas:

Ziza
Moondog

On TDY:

RT

Honorary Lafayette:

zuperman

MIA/ Honored Reserve Wing
(Missing In Action/Honored Fallen)

Not played in 6 months or more.. but these pilots can rejoin us by doing nothing more than pressing the 'join' button.

*FlyingHorse
pilotgirl_97
Cinco
PainJunkie
DonFlix
b00st_JuNKy
*StrayCat*
'°' ZμPËRMÆN '°'
Two-Bit
Emstion
jake.phy
XxToylaDTrimmerxX
vuela vuelA
Mystère
Emstion
Bennett Shooter
Tim Finn
...Ëjë...
*-=KESTREL=-
daveofdeath
Fiery Tiger
Black Falcon Ace
WormJim
ruusso
*SkyStorm
Ayeaye the 5th
Cortin
Raul £ufbery
requiter
Sommers
Lionheart 4
|Ryan HD-CG|
Ti-chabin972
Garzo69
Knight!
Vale46
Marshall
John F. Kennedy
Barnstormer Don
Koubania
graycap
Makedemdrop
Austin77
Drongo
GeneralDollar



*2nd in Command - Honored Reserve Wing





Joining the Lafayette Escadrille is by INVITATION ONLY! However, if you wish to be considered you can let any pilot in the squadron know that you're interested in joining our ranks.. then we will keep an eye out for you to see if you have what it takes.. & it isn't all about your statistics or ranking.. but rather if we think you will be a good 'fit' for our squadron, especially due to the fact that we have a limited number of openings until our flight roster is filled and we will subsequently no longer be accepting pilots into the squadron.

The squadron rules are very simple & succinct:
1. Do not do anything that would get you muted or banned. *
2. Have FUN!
3. (to be forthcoming)

*Muting offenses are cursing / talk of a sexual nature / racism / religious bashing / spamming / trolling.
Banning offenses are team killing (intentional) / spawn killing in a tank / bombing your own hangars or carrier.

Being a member of the Lafayette Escadrille means your actions & speech in this game are more than just a indirect view of the person you are, both in & out of the game.. they also DO reflect upon this squadron & its pilots. Please remember that YOU represent the Lafayette Escadrille while playing.

Penalties for Infractions of Squadron Rule #1:
First Infraction - Warning &/or reduction in squadron rank depending upon the severity of the offense.
Second Infraction - 2nd Warning & Loss of Squadron Rank.. or even Dismissal With Prejudice from the Lafayette Escadrille depending on the severity of the offense and decided upon in a case by case basis by squadron officers.
Third Infraction - No 3rd Warning. A 3rd infraction will NOT BE TOLERATED & results in immediate dismissal from the squadron!

*Penalty for Infractions of Squadron Rule #2
You will be forced to watch 2 straight hours of The Three Stooges or Sesame Street or The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Hour.. which one you will be subjected to will be decided upon by the squadron officers!




In order to be true to the spirit & camaraderie & honor of the original Valiant 38 of the squadron I just want to make it clear that if ever you have a problem with another pilot, moderator, or squadron you are NOT to argue about it in World/Mission Chat or on a squadron thread (whether theirs or ours) nor curse someone out in mission chat, but instead take it to the air or bring it to me and I will handle it.. (as it falls within the duties of my being the squadron leader) as I take my responsibilities for this squadron seriously despite this being a game. This is a game and supposed to be FUN! but every once in awhile somebody will get butt-hurt over something that was said or done in a mission or on World Chat.. that's fine, it's going to happen, however we of the Lafayette Escadrille are to try to act to a higher standard than those who resort to name calling or cursing or outright lying about our pilots. We don't need to resort to such cheap & petty tactics or get in squabbles with those that don't like our tactics or whatever it was that got them butt-hurt to begin with. I am NOT saying don't stick up for yourself or a fellow pilot, just that you should act with dignity & class & not stoop to their level.. and best just to take it to the air or bring it to me and I will handle it however I deem it best in the interests of the Escadrille & the pilots involved.
That is all.
{£}ZebraUp

The squadron thanks you Zebra

Goodluck Zeb!

I wish you the best at your new squad! if you ever need anything let me know:)

Good luck with ur squad zeb

I am having so much fun already.... £

Thanks for the well wishes! Keep 'em coming lol!

Welcome to the Machine.......

looks great Zebra!! very interesting history. Wish you the best!
...Templar

Hey Zeb

Just wanted to stop in and say Hello.
See you in the sky.
PM me sometime I have some banner ideas.

Thanks,
Ace

Aztec Warrior waiting for orders !!

{£}FADACO wrote: Aztec Warrior waiting for orders !!

About time man, was wondering when you would pull the trigger and say screw it, my own squad. I wish you nothing but luck and enjoy playing with you.

Great to see your squadron's up and running Zebra! If I was not so happy to with my squadron I'd have sent in a request to join your squad in second. I know the Lafayette Escadrille will be a great squadron.

Congratulations and good luck to your Squadron Zebra !

You are an awesome pilot and a very nice guy to fly with, sure you will lead your squad to the top !

Thanks as well, for all the info about the historical of this squad, and for have choosen the name of your Squadron !

Should never here in France forget the sacrifice of these courageous guys came to save us.

Woospy/Titus Pullo
ENIGMA SQUAD

I was waiting for you to unveil the name of your new squadron for quite some time now but I think it's safe to say it has been worth the wait!

It looks like (and no doubt will be) a great squadron to be a part of. I can also assure anyone who is pondering over whether to be a part of Lafayette Escadrille that you will be in safe hands with ZebraUp. He knows what he is doing... most of the time

I wish you all the best with your squadron mate and thank you for that little bit of background to it. I had good fun reading it

See you in the skies!

Duke

Thank You for your well wishes & encouragement!

I first read about the Lafayette Escadrille as a child and was fascinated by this group of brave men, all volunteers, daringly heading up into the skies against their foes. Since joining this game I couldn't believe that nobody had already taken the name of this relatively well-known & historic squadron & had always in the back of my mind wanted to bring the Lafayette Escadrille & Dogfight together.

Once again, thank you for posting your kind words..
Storm, Cat, General Jackson, Templar, BzerkBzerk, Wings, Woopsy, Duke & of course members of this illustrious squadron!

Best wishes to you and your squad zebra!

Well I see your squad is on the road to success!!! Again I wish you the best and I will now sticky your new squad!!

Have fun!!!

General jackson wrote: Well I see your squad is on the road to success!!! Again I wish you the best and I will now sticky your new squad!!

Have fun!!!

Thank You General Jackson! & you as well McFate for your welcome words!

Aaahh here we gooo!!! n.n.

You will do fine, Congratz, Sir Zeeb

Lafayette-Escadrille... L-E..
"le" thats smile in swedish.

Best of luck, and may it bring you nothing but smiles.

Excellent choice, Zeb. I can't believe you're the first to bring the name to DF, but better late than never. Best of luck to ya!

Nice! Good luck with the new squad.

Zeb,

Nice history lesson and good work on the page. If you are not full, I would consider a move. Regards, RT01. (Ryan)

Tuck wrote: Excellent choice, Zeb. I can't believe you're the first to bring the name to DF, but better late than never. Best of luck to ya!

Thanks Tuck & me either.. I could not believe nobody had brought the Lafayette Escadrille here as a squadron.. I was amazed actually! It's why when I said I was going to be starting a squadron I surrounded the name with secrecy until I actually bought it.. I was a little concerned that someone would snag the name ahead of me lol!
btw, Thanks also go out to [M]r. Hulk & bellsaj & Cricket & ryan for their well wishes! Thanks y'all !

Great squad thread Zeeb, the history - I had no idea! So thrilled to see it finally happen, and wish you the very best! I have a feeling you'll do just fine, you're certainly off to a great start my friend!