Lts. Alan Winslow and Douglas Campbell

Published April 08, 2015

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 4

Lts. Winslow (left) and Campbell (center) of the 94th Aero Squadron with their commanding officer, Maj. John W.F. Huffer. (U.S. Air Force photo)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 4

Remains of the Pfalz D.III shot down in flames by Lt. Campbell one minute after Lt. Winslow had scored his victory. The French hauled the burnt remains to the square in Toul for display. On May 31, 1918, Lt. Campbell became the first U.S.-trained pilot to receive official credit for his fifth victory, thus becoming an "ace." (U.S. Air Force photo)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 4

Lt. Winslow stands by the Albatross D.V he shot down, the first enemy aircraft officially destroyed in combat by a U.S. Air Service pilot in the American sector. On July 31, 1918, Lt. Winslow was shot down, seriously wounded and captured. (U.S. Air Force photo)

PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 4

DAYTON, Ohio -- Exhibit featuring Maj. Raoul Lufbery, Lt. Alan Winslow and Lt. Douglas Campbell in the Early Years Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The first U.S. Air Service aerial victories by fighter planes in the American sector in France were by Lts. Alan Winslow and Douglas Campbell, two pilots of the 94th Aero Squadron, which had just been transferred to the Front. On Sunday morning, April 14, 1918, they were on "alert" at Gengoult Aerodrome near Toul, France. German planes were reported in the area and the two U.S. pilots, completely inexperienced in aerial combat, took off in their Nieuport 28s. Almost immediately they saw two German aircraft and attacked them directly over the flying field at less than 1,000 feet altitude, in full view of not only the Americans at Gengoult Aerodrome, but of the French citizens of Toul. Winslow and Campbell shot down two German airplanes and were back on the ground in a matter of minutes. This initial fighter combat by the U.S. Air Service, although probably successful due as much to luck as skill, convinced the French people that the Americans were "super-human."

Click here to return to the Air Service Overview.

Find Out More

Related Fact Sheets

Nieuport 28

Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.

Lts. Alan Winslow and Douglas Campbell

Featured Links