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The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the 1st Aero Squadron and Pancho Villa (1916) - Mar.30th, 2005
Aviation History Magazine | Gary Glynn

Posted on 03/29/2005 9:29:57 PM PST by SAMWolf



Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


.................................................................. .................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

To read previous Foxhole threads or
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click on the books below.

1st Aero Squadron in Pursuit of Pancho Villa


Taking part in Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing's 1916 Mexican expedition was a learning experience for the U.S. Army's first air arm -- mainly in regard to its own deficiencies.

The worried young pilot flew south, deeper into hostile territory, navigating by the stars. Below the fabric-covered wings of his Curtiss JN-3 "Jenny" darkness had already obscured the unfamiliar landscape of northern Mexico. Lieutenant Edgar S. Gorrell had never flown at night before, and his engine was overheating.


The first aero Company, New York National Guard, was called to Federal service during the border crisis with Mexico on July 13, 1916. This was the first time a National Guard aviation unit was mobilized. The unit was commanded by Capt. Raynel C. Bolling.


The flight had been jinxed from the start. Pre-flight preparations consumed more time than expected, so the eight planes of the 1st Aero Squadron had not taken off until late in the afternoon on March 19, 1916. Not long after they flew south from Columbus, New Mexico, Lieutenant Walter G. Kilner had turned back with engine problems.

Navigation errors contributed to the squadron's problems. Each plane carried a different type of compass, and the aviators were equipped with poor maps. Only one flier, Lieutenant Townsend F. Dodd, had ever made a night flight before. After the sun dropped behind the Sierra Madre, Gorrell lost sight of his fellow pilots and flew on alone. Finally, hopelessly lost, Gorrell turned and headed north again, but his plane had reached the limit of its endurance. With the engine on the verge of seizing up, the young pilot brought the crippled plane in for a rough but successful landing by moonlight.

Gorrell knew that he was deep within enemy territory -- territory occupied by the mounted and heavily armed followers of Mexican revolutionary General Francisco "Pancho" Villa (the assumed name of Doroteo Arango). He drew his .45-caliber pistol, abandoned his plane and fled into the darkness. Gorrell's first journey into northern Mexico was typical of the fate awaiting the pilots of the 1st Aero Squadron, the only American air unit to fly in combat prior to World War I.


After 8 of 14 of its Wright-trained pilots were killed in 1914, the Army desperately sought a new, safe training aircraft - and following a period of testing and evaluation it ordered eight Curtiss JN-2 aircraft (Nos. 41-48); the first, No. 41, was received at North Island on June 21, 1915


The outbreak of World War I during the summer of 1914 first revealed the inadequacy of America's military aviation program. At the war's outset, the entire air force consisted of 12 officers, 54 men and six planes. At the same time, dozens of British, French and German airmen fought daily over the trenches of the Western Front. Although the numbers of U.S. men and aircraft tripled in the next year, then tripled again, the 1st Aero Squadron remained America's sole operational air unit until 1917.

The squadron was organized in September 1914 and first based at North Island, San Diego. But in March 1915, five pilots, 30 men and three planes had been sent to Galveston, Texas, in response to tensions along the U.S.­Mexican border. The entire squadron was transferred to Fort Sill, Okla., where the pilots were issued eight Curtiss JN-2s and charged with learning aerial artillery spotting.

Shortly after arriving at Fort Sill, two planes and four pilots were transferred to Brownsville, Texas. It was there, on August 26, 1915, that the airmen first took up one of their new planes. Lieutenants J.C. Morrow and B.Q. Jones encountered turbulence at 1,100 feet, and their Jenny unexpectedly dropped 200 feet. The shaken aviators managed to coax the plane up to 4,500 feet but found it extremely difficult to control. On a subsequent flight, Morrow and his observer were badly hurt when their JN-2 nose-dived during takeoff and smashed into the ground.



The rest of the squadron also tried out the JN-2s and found them less than satisfactory. Pilot R.B. Sutton was badly injured and his observer (who sat in the front seat) was killed during one flight. After that accident, the artillery officers at Fort Sill categorically refused to fly in the JN-2s except during "war and in case of absolute necessity."

The worried young pilot flew south, deeper into hostile territory, navigating by the stars. Below the fabric-covered wings of his Curtiss JN-3 "Jenny" darkness had already obscured the unfamiliar landscape of northern Mexico. Lieutenant Edgar S. Gorrell had never flown at night before, and his engine was overheating.

The flight had been jinxed from the start. Pre-flight preparations consumed more time than expected, so the eight planes of the 1st Aero Squadron had not taken off until late in the afternoon on March 19, 1916. Not long after they flew south from Columbus, New Mexico, Lieutenant Walter G. Kilner had turned back with engine problems.

Navigation errors contributed to the squadron's problems. Each plane carried a different type of compass, and the aviators were equipped with poor maps. Only one flier, Lieutenant Townsend F. Dodd, had ever made a night flight before. After the sun dropped behind the Sierra Madre, Gorrell lost sight of his fellow pilots and flew on alone. Finally, hopelessly lost, Gorrell turned and headed north again, but his plane had reached the limit of its endurance. With the engine on the verge of seizing up, the young pilot brought the crippled plane in for a rough but successful landing by moonlight.


Lt. Gorrell, left, and unknown pilot, Mexico, 1916:


Gorrell knew that he was deep within enemy territory -- territory occupied by the mounted and heavily armed followers of Mexican revolutionary General Francisco "Pancho" Villa (the assumed name of Doroteo Arango). He drew his .45-caliber pistol, abandoned his plane and fled into the darkness. Gorrell's first journey into northern Mexico was typical of the fate awaiting the pilots of the 1st Aero Squadron, the only American air unit to fly in combat prior to World War I.

The outbreak of World War I during the summer of 1914 first revealed the inadequacy of America's military aviation program. At the war's outset, the entire air force consisted of 12 officers, 54 men and six planes. At the same time, dozens of British, French and German airmen fought daily over the trenches of the Western Front. Although the numbers of U.S. men and aircraft tripled in the next year, then tripled again, the 1st Aero Squadron remained America's sole operational air unit until 1917.

The squadron was organized in September 1914 and first based at North Island, San Diego. But in March 1915, five pilots, 30 men and three planes had been sent to Galveston, Texas, in response to tensions along the U.S.­Mexican border. The entire squadron was transferred to Fort Sill, Okla., where the pilots were issued eight Curtiss JN-2s and charged with learning aerial artillery spotting.


Pancho Villa, Alvaro Obregon and John J. Pershing


Shortly after arriving at Fort Sill, two planes and four pilots were transferred to Brownsville, Texas. It was there, on August 26, 1915, that the airmen first took up one of their new planes. Lieutenants J.C. Morrow and B.Q. Jones encountered turbulence at 1,100 feet, and their Jenny unexpectedly dropped 200 feet. The shaken aviators managed to coax the plane up to 4,500 feet but found it extremely difficult to control. On a subsequent flight, Morrow and his observer were badly hurt when their JN-2 nose-dived during takeoff and smashed into the ground.

The rest of the squadron also tried out the JN-2s and found them less than satisfactory. Pilot R.B. Sutton was badly injured and his observer (who sat in the front seat) was killed during one flight. After that accident, the artillery officers at Fort Sill categorically refused to fly in the JN-2s except during "war and in case of absolute necessity."



TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: 1staerosquadron; edgarsgorrell; freeperfoxhole; panchovilla; pershing; punitiveexpedition; veterans
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf

Extremely good article today.


61 posted on 03/30/2005 3:08:08 PM PST by Wneighbor
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To: Samwise

Well, plan 'B'. I tried to scan the plan as a single sheet, except it's (was) 41 inches to to bottom. The scanner durn near ate it.

I've cut the plan lengthwise into two 20" sheets. It's also easier to handle. I split it into one sheet with complete wings, and one with the complete fuselage. The final result will be three (wings, fuse, overlap of both) 60 inch long sheets to send.


62 posted on 03/30/2005 3:22:21 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Have you angered a muslim today?)
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To: SAMWolf

Very, VERY cool post today, SAM!!!!! Thanks!


63 posted on 03/30/2005 3:38:15 PM PST by WaterDragon
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To: Mudboy Slim

I like it, great tune too. :-)


64 posted on 03/30/2005 3:41:24 PM PST by SAMWolf (Liberal Rule #11 - Can't refute the message? Attack the messenger!)
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To: WaterDragon

Whoa! Where have you been girl?


65 posted on 03/30/2005 3:42:23 PM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: WaterDragon

Hey! Nice to hear from you, WaterDragon.


66 posted on 03/30/2005 3:42:55 PM PST by SAMWolf (Liberal Rule #11 - Can't refute the message? Attack the messenger!)
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To: Wneighbor

Another of those "overlooked" events in our history.


67 posted on 03/30/2005 3:43:36 PM PST by SAMWolf (Liberal Rule #11 - Can't refute the message? Attack the messenger!)
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To: Professional Engineer

I'm sorry to be such a pain. :^(


68 posted on 03/30/2005 4:47:23 PM PST by Samwise (Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.)
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To: Samwise
I'm sorry to be such a pain.

No you're not. ;-)

69 posted on 03/30/2005 5:10:21 PM PST by SAMWolf (Liberal Rule #11 - Can't refute the message? Attack the messenger!)
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To: Mudboy Slim
#51

Good one Mud!

I hope everything is well with you and the family.

I may be in VA Beach 3rd week of April. Not a solid date yet. Maybe we'll hook up in Richmond?

5.56mm

70 posted on 03/30/2005 5:19:07 PM PST by M Kehoe
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To: SAMWolf; All
Progress update on the current "Weekend Home Inprovement Project'

First a pic of War Zone 1 aka the sewing room

All most all of the sheetrock is up, just a couple of real small pieces to go.

War Zone 2 aka the Master Bedroom

Same here just a few small pieces of sheetrock plus the three pieces I need to do the closet.

The taping and mudding will commence on Friday, I hope.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

71 posted on 03/30/2005 6:03:22 PM PST by alfa6 (Memebr loyal order of F.O.G.)
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf
LOL! I'm around, and reading your posts always! Doing better, a little, these days.

When you put up a post about the early aeroplane pilots I'll crawl to the computer to comment on it! LOL

72 posted on 03/30/2005 6:51:17 PM PST by WaterDragon
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To: SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; Professional Engineer

Just for that, SAM can't look at my airplane pictures.

73 posted on 03/30/2005 7:04:59 PM PST by Samwise (Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.)
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To: alfa6

When are you redoing my kitchen?


74 posted on 03/30/2005 7:26:34 PM PST by Samwise (Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.)
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To: snippy_about_it
No way can we fit that many folks in here

Not even if you make 'em all buy something first to clear your inventory?

75 posted on 03/30/2005 7:30:11 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Have you angered a muslim today?)
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To: Wneighbor; snippy_about_it
the evil college server is keepin' me of FR today.

I bet Snippy's Glock can take care of that issue.

76 posted on 03/30/2005 7:32:06 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Have you angered a muslim today?)
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To: Samwise
I'm sorry to be such a pain. :^(

No trouble. It's a good thing you asked and got me to find the print. The paper was gettung pretty brittle, so I've made an archive set for me as well.

Here's a teaser...


77 posted on 03/30/2005 7:35:56 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Have you angered a muslim today?)
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To: Samwise
That depends, how old is your house?

I like old planes :-)

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

78 posted on 03/30/2005 7:39:37 PM PST by alfa6 (Memebr loyal order of F.O.G.)
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To: alfa6

1979. I probably can't afford you, anyway. ;^)


79 posted on 03/30/2005 7:41:21 PM PST by Samwise (Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away.)
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To: Samwise

Drool!


80 posted on 03/30/2005 7:41:53 PM PST by Professional Engineer (Have you angered a muslim today?)
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