williamthaw

Elliott Cowdin, Norman Prince, William Thaw were among the American aviators who were part of the Lafayette Escadrille, an all-American squadron for the French air service: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Escadrille Thaw: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Thaw_%28aviator%29 Prince (died 1916): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Prince

Elliott C. Cowdin: ralph.smith.angelfire.com/Flying_Corps/Pilots/ElliottCowd... They returned on December 23, 1915 on the Holland-America liner Rotterdam for an eight days' leave (according to New-York tribune., December 24, 1915, Page 2, with similar photo).

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Thanks to all of you for your great research. We'll straighten out the names in the caption and add some of the information to the record the next time we update.

Elliott Cowdin, Norman Prince, William Thaw were among the American aviators who were part of the Lafayette Escadrille, an all-American squadron for the French air service: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Escadrille Thaw: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Thaw_%28aviator%29 Prince (died 1916): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Prince

This is probably taken on their arrival on 12/23/15 in New York aboard the Holland-America liner Rotterdam for a short holiday leave. An account here: select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0B14FE3B5B1773...

Elliott C. Cowdin: ralph.smith.angelfire.com/Flying_Corps/Pilots/ElliottCowd... Art Siegel True, this photo is certainly taken at this occasion, see New-York tribune., December 24, 1915, Page 2 or Omaha daily bee., December 28, 1915, Image 1, with similar photos.

Apparently, the publicity generated by the visit of these 3 American fliers was a major catalyst in forming the Lafayette Escadrille (Escadrille Américaine) and the Lafayette Flying Corps in 1916. Here's an account of Cowdin's life with more information about the importance of the event pictured here:

"In December of 1915 Cowdin and fellow countrymen Norman Prince and William Thaw were granted a month's permission to America. They arrived in New York on 23 December aboard the SS Rotterdam. Their furlough, though intended as "a short rest", furthered the cause for an American squadron when the Government of France realized the interest the three American volunteers had created during their visit to the United States. The pilots became the focus of the eastern press who doggedly pursued them in spite of their reluctance to speak of their duties. Both sides of the European War seized upon the press coverage: the Allied supporters citing the flyers' example in a plea for America's intervention, while German sympathizers condemned their participation as a violation of U.S. neutrality and demanded their internment. Upon their return to France, the three Americans' desire to form an all-American squadron was enhanced as the French Government realized that just such an organization would be useful in galvanizing America's sympathy for their cause."
rdisa.pagesperso-orange.fr/html/Pages/Elliot%20Cowdin%20E...


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Thanks to all of you for your excellent research. We'll straighten out the names in the caption and add some of this information to both records the next time we update.

See notes under:

earlyaviators.com/ethaw.htm

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Thenault "Lieutenant Colonel Georges Thenault ... was the commander of the Lafayette Escadrille - the famed branch of the French air force in World War I composed of American volunteer pilots."

The Lieutenant would likely be Lt. Alfred de Laage de Meux. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lafayette_Escadrille

artolog and swanq: thanks for the link to the other photos and the background information. We will update the record.