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Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/06/1918). The Boy lost yesterday landed well and will start tomorrow. Woke up this A.M. with fine weather after some trouble getting started [on] account of Magnetos. I started for Villeneuve. Had to land again for more gas with another Boy. All the rest started for home. Out of 16 to start, 6 arrived, 3 smashed up on landing, 6 others had forced landings. Rather bad results for the first time. On arriving [in] Villeneuve I found several of my friends had arrived with 94th Squadron.


Eddie V. Rickenbacker WWI Diary

Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/06/1918). The Boy lost yesterday landed well and will start tomorrow. Woke up this A.M. with fine weather after some trouble getting started [on] account of Magnetos. I started for Villeneuve. Had to land again for more gas with another Boy. All the rest started for home. Out of 16 to start, 6 arrived, 3 smashed up on landing, 6 others had forced landings. Rather bad results for the first time. On arriving [in] Villeneuve I found several of my friends had arrived with 94th Squadron.

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Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/16/1918). Germans expected over tonight so will leave an extra line for them at the bottom, nothing eventful happened today. Weather reminded me of our ole time spring back home. Have been writing five letters per day for several days past, and find myself really cleaned up this evening on correspondence. Naturally rather happy. No raid tonight.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/17/1918). Had some of our French friends over for dinner today. Real nice meal, after which I walked to Mesnil. I bought some stationary and picture post cards for our room. Rather surprised this evening to see a large biplace Caproni trimotor come in. Fellow got lost after landing, was unable to get his motor started, so decided to stay with us this evening.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/18/1918). Major Lufbery and three of the other boys arrived from Paris this P.M. One boy by the name of [Lt. Thorne C.] Taylor caught on fire after a few loops and landed ablaze. All our planes have machine guns mounted. The much talked of suicide fleet used by English to fool Germans in North Sea has nothing on the suicide chase squadron which is going over the lines every day. 3 Americans in Nieuports without machine guns and 2 Frenchmen with SPADs. This will be good reading matter in years to come.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/19/1918). Weather very bad. Has been raining all night and looks rather bad for tomorrow. Best thing one can do is stay in and write his friends and home. Oh yes I am raising a French mustache, you know, hair on one’s upper lip. Few of the boys can see as yet. Ha Ha.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/13/1918). Rather an exciting day. Had advance notice that General Petain, commander and chief of French Army. After much polishing and brushing, we were prepared for his arrival which was about 5:30 P.M. After receiving the French squadrons and decorating several pilots, then he did us the favor of receiving us, we marched up in formation and glad it was all over within a few minutes. Was talking to Major Huffer when the antiaircraft started shooting and search lights were hunting Hun bombers. Naturally after that we all jumped into the trenches, our 1st experience.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/14/1918). Rode over to Epernay this A.M. Ordered a new coat, after that called on Corporal [Austen B.] Crehore, who is recovering from appendicitis, certainly an interesting boy. Told me all about his first air battle in which he was victor. He has just received a 60 day permission to go home and is leaving for U.S.A. soon. Saw a German bomb which was dropped last night. 3 people were killed, 10 hurt. “Ok”. Plane just went over the barracks and crashed onto the roof, causing him to turn over. Just pulled him out of the wreckage. Very fortunate, only a bad cut over his nose and eye.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/15/1918). Nothing of importance today. Still waiting for the boys to return from Paris with the new planes which are to be mounted with machine guns. Have been trying to write 5 letters per day in order that I may get caught up with my correspondence. Seems impossible as today I received 8 letters, so what can I do but continue for I sure love letters from home and happiness. “Ok” the yell all lights out and into your dugout. Germans dropping more peace pills and to think its darn cold on the outside.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/09/1918). Was called upon to test several of the planes which were becoming very nose heavy due to the great amount of acrobacy performed by pilots here. Seth Low finally returned being the last to arrive of new planes. Capt. [James Ely] Miller flew over to the other camp today with intention of going over the lines in a SPAD. Hope he returns OK. There was a German photo plane over camp about 1230. No doubt we shall be bombed soon. Understand Paris was badly bombed last night. If true, it was the first time without moon light. Had several letters from home today. Naturally, am very happy.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/10/1918). Terrible news. Capt. James Miller, commanding 95h Squadron, was shot down yesterday in his first trip over the lines. More Hun planes were soon flying over camp taking photos. Probably be bombed soon. Have decided today that war, with me, has always been a sporting proposition, and after I take the air again Germans it will be fair play always. Should I see the other fellow is in terrible difficulty and I have all the advantage over him without he having a chance, and I, knowing or seeing same, will discontinue the fight regardless of what he would have done with me in his position.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/11/1918). Have had a most wonderful day. Awakened this morning and played a bit of football. Was called in later by the Major and ask[ed] to take command of flight #1. Lt. Baker #2. Lt. Campbell #3. I gave them the opportunity to select their men. Then I took what was left, there being one man less than needed. I made formal application for Lt. E.A. Faunt Le Roy [Lt. Cedric E. Fauntleroy] whom I hope they will let me have him as we are good pals and he is a good pilot. I aim also to be his adjutant and take charge in case he is not here.
Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary entry. (03/12/1918). Wonderful weather continues. Again bad news over takes the squadron as one of the boys named [illegible] Montgomery who was at Cazeaux with us, later sent to England for Aerial Gunnery course, was killed in his first flight as gunner. Plane caught fire in doing a loop. Threw out the pilot and later crashed to earth with Montgomery fighting for his life. Found the pistons in the Gnome motors defective today having same trouble as was experienced in the old Maxwell racing cars. “Less Confidence.”
Ken LaRock
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