Full medal write up
This album is very interesting in that it dates from Nov 1917 with US pilots going to France (so very early). The first page has a photo of the Statue of Liberty as seen through a telescope with the words underneath ‘Last seen by Lieut Jas E Wacksmuth A.S, USA Nov 23 1917’.
The album then moves on to training at French pilot school; ‘Saint Maixent “cadet Days” ’ lots of shots of trainee aircrew, many named. Sightseeing, French instructors and aircraft; pilot classes, various trainer aircraft; Voisen, Bleriot’s, crashes, pilots both US and French, Nieuport’s, French ladies etc. Some really good shots.
Then photos move on to types that would be flown at the front and shots from his operational squadrons. Clearly the pilots are now qualified as they wear their pilots wings. Insignia on aircraft ; Salmson's, shows it to be 24th Aero Squadron (which seem to be quite scarce unit photo wise). Aircraft on ground and in flight, pilots, scenic and battlefield shots, destroyed towns and pilots visiting these. French tanks, Spad’s an Sopwith’s. Many more shots either close ups or in lineups where 24th Aero insignia can be seen, downed Fokker, shots from the end of War; President Wilson arrival in Paris, Verdun, pilots, captured German tank etc. 24th Aero Squadron first became operational and ready for combat duties at the French Saint Maixent aerodrome in July 1918. Since Wacksmuth had been training here, it seems likely given the period he’d have taken to qualify, that the arrival of 24th Aero and his posting to it would have been about the same time. 24th Aero would take part in the St Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives, where it was heavily engaged, as well as many ‘special duty’ flights.
There are 328 photos in album, with only 3 or 4 that are missing. Photos are all aviation related and in France. There are also a few loose including an excellent portrait of Wacksmuth in uniform and a large group shot of pilots/observers in front of a Salmson. Some photos a little faded but quality of most photos is excellent and some really superb shots and I’d say one of the better US pilot albums I’ve had through my hands. Interestingly, the way the photographs are set out are more reminiscent to French pilots albums. Spine of the album is damaged and needs repaired as does one page but all other pages are still in place and none are missing. At back of album is a small USA flag. Due to the fragile nature of the spine of the album, the pictures in this listing have not been scanned but photographed with a digital camera. As such, their is a little bit of a yellow tinge to most photos which is not present on the actual photos. I have added pictures of each page to the listings plus a couple of pages of close up shot.
All in all, this is an excellent album. It is also a scarce piece to an American combat pilot since most US squadrons saw no action during the War.