A two-part documentary that shares the service and sacrifice of the young Americans who volunteered in a time of global crisis to defend the principles of liberty and democracy, and chronicles the toll paid by America’s first combat aviators.
Episode 1
Discover Americans’ engagement with France during the "Belle Epoque" and the activities of several future members of the Lafayette Escadrille in Paris in the summer of 1914. Follow the squadron on its first flights through the early development of aeroplanes and techniques of aerial combat, both of which were still in a fairly embryonic stage.
Episode 2
The Escadrille is sent as escorts on an ambitious bombing scoring victories over German aircraft in the mission’s dogfights, but tragically losing one of the founders of the squadron in a crash as he lands in the dark. The disillusioned squadron is still trying to become an effective fighting force as they move from base to base up and down the Western Front.