Fighting the Flying Circus

Manfred von Richthofen’s “Flying Circus” was one of the most formidable fighter pilot units in history.How do you combat such a force that revolutionized aviation tactics?Who on earth could even hope to survive in the air against these battle-hardened German veterans?Entering the war in 1917 the men of the American air force were hoping to swing the war in the allies favor, but the odds seemed to be stacked against them.Yet, through the example and leadership of men such as Eddie Rickenbacker, the American air force was certainly able to make a huge difference in the air war that took place above the trenches of northern France.Rickenbacker’s story charts his own progress from patriotic and hopeful young pilot to become the American Ace of Aces by the end of the war.His rise to become a formidable ace occurred at remarkable speed.After a number of months of training and learning how to control his aircraft he shot down his first enemy on April 29th, 1918. By the end of May he had already shot down a further four planes and had become an ace.Rickenbacker’s account of this time provides brilliant insight into the life of one of America’s greatest pilots and what it was like to fight in the skies during the First World War.“I always thought Eddie Rickenbacker was larger than life. This combat diary added an unexpected touch of humility to him. I highly recommend this book to any reader interested in the history of the United States Air Force." — Major Joel Rudy, USAFEddie Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. With 26 aerial victories, he was America's most successful fighter ace in the war. After the war he continued to work in aviation as a designer and a consultant. His book Fighting the Flying Circus was first published in 1919 and he passed away in 1973.