Most of the American pilots of the Escadrille Lafayette were U.S. Army officers. In February, 1918 the unit became the 103rd Aero Sq.of the Air Service, Allied Expeditionary Force. Since the 103rd remained on the Front under French control without any interruption in its combat activity, it had the honor of being the first U.S. Air Service unit in aerial combat over the Western Front
This officer wears a Sam Browne belt over his uniform. The Sam Browne belt was invented by a nineteenth-century British general of that name, who served in India. Browne had lost an arm in combat, and the belt was originally intended to make it more convenient to carry a sword or pistol on his belt. The Sam Browne belt has an attached strap which passes over a shoulder to offset the weight of a sword scabbard or pistol holster. During World War I, it was also adopted by the French and US Armies, and was used by the Americans until 1943. General Pershing believed this device improved the looks, bearing, and discipline of the U.S. Army officer corps.
On his wrist is a leather strap holding a pocket watch for convenience, the forerunner to the modern wristwatch. The wristwatch provided portable time at a glance for soldiers on the move with new rapid-fire weapons at a speed and ferocity unprecedented in human history. It was a much speedier read than a pocket watch.This practice became widespread during World War I although it was uncommon before that since the wristwatch was considered to be a piece of feminine jewelry. |
