Bill Lambert: World War I Flying Ace

Bill Lambert: World War I Flying AceBill Lambert: World War I Flying Ace by Samuel J. Wilson
ISBN: 1476664676
Published by McFarland & Company on August 12, 2016
Genres: Aviation
Pages: 266

American born Lambert apparently went to Canada in late 1915 and tried to enlist, but instead became a chemist making explosives in a factory. Before the U.S. declared war, Lambert sought to join the British Royal Flying Corps that was recruiting in Toronto. He was accepted in June 1917 and received only four rather than the standard six to eight weeks of basic training. Wilson speculates that it was shortened due to the heavy losses suffered by the RFC during “Bloody April” of 1917. Surprisingly, he was sent home to Ohio for a brief visit before being sent overseas.

Lambert flew old Avros and the single-seat Sopwith Pup (“one of the nicest machines that any pilot could want”). He disliked the Sopwith Camel, and enjoyed the SPAD although “it would fall like a brick.” Lambert scored his 22 aerial kills flying the S.E.5a in No. 24 Squadron starting in March 1918. A nervous breakdown in August ended his WW1 career.

Wilson’s book is well written, entertaining, and covers Lambert’s post-WW1 experiences without ignoring his caustic personality.
Reviewed by Dana Lombardy, publisher of WWOI

The Gold Star Mother Pilgramages of the 1930s: Overseas Grave Visitations By Mothers And Widows of Fallen U.S. World War I Soldiers

The Gold Star Mother Pilgramages of the 1930s: Overseas Grave Visitations By Mothers And Widows of Fallen U.S. World War I SoldiersThe Gold Star Mother Pilgramages of the 1930s: Overseas Grave Visitations By Mothers And Widows of Fallen U.S. World War I Soldiers by John W. Graham
ISBN: 078642138X
Published by McFarland & Company on May 1st 2005
Pages: 229

Len's Summary: Between 1930 and 1930 the US Government paid the travel expenses of over six thousand Gold Star wives and mothers to visit their son's and husband's graves in England, France and Flanders. See the section on videos for a recent video on this subject.

The United States Army Second Division Northwest of Chateau Thierry in World War I

The United States Army Second Division Northwest of Chateau Thierry in World War IThe United States Army Second Division Northwest of Chateau Thierry in World War I by John W. Thomason, George B. Clark
ISBN: 0786425237
Published by McFarland & Company on July 1st 2006
Pages: 245

Len's Summary: Written as an official history in 1927 by Marine Captain, author and artist John Thomason (Fix Bayonets!), who served in combat with the division's Fourth Marine Brigade. Thomason left the project incomplete after discovering unflattering facts about combat decisions taken by divisional officers. Includes original illustrations prepared by Thomason and a brief biographical sketches of the author and of the division written by the editor, George Clark, himself a Marine and published author who is a WFA member.

Liberty Theatres of the United States Army, 1917-1919

Liberty Theatres of the United States Army, 1917-1919Liberty Theatres of the United States Army, 1917-1919 by Weldon B. Durham
ISBN: 9780786425396
Published by McFarland & Company on January 1st 2006
Genres: Japan, Military, United States, Theater
Pages: 219

Len's Summary: In in-depth look at the 42 theatres built by the War Department aimed at presenting "morally uplifting" plays and motion pictures for the Doughboys in training.

The Lost Battalion and the Meuse-Argonne, 1918

The Lost Battalion and the Meuse-Argonne, 1918The Lost Battalion and the Meuse-Argonne, 1918 by Micheal Clodfelter
ISBN: 0786469080
Published by McFarland & Company on December 4th 2006
Pages: 246

Len's Summary: Looks at the Meuse-Argonne battles with emphasis on the “Lost Battalion” of the 77th Division.

The Second Infantry Division in World War I: A History of the American Expeditionary Force Regulars, 1917-1919

The Second Infantry Division in World War I: A History of the American Expeditionary Force Regulars, 1917-1919The Second Infantry Division in World War I: A History of the American Expeditionary Force Regulars, 1917-1919 by George B. Clark
ISBN: 0786429607
Published by McFarland & Company on July 1st 2007
Genres: History, General, Military, World War I, United States
Pages: 262

Len's Summary: Follows the Second Division through major AEF campaigns including Second Marne, Soissons, Blanc Mont and the Meuse-Argonne. Clark authored an earlier history of the Marine component of this division.

The Rise of Militarism in the Progressive Era, 1900-1914

The Rise of Militarism in the Progressive Era, 1900-1914The Rise of Militarism in the Progressive Era, 1900-1914 by Roger Possner
ISBN: 9780786444182
Published by McFarland & Company on June 13th 2009
Genres: History, United States, 19th Century, Political Science, Political Ideologies, General
Pages: 252

Len's Summary: How the War Department and Army worked to build a martial spirit among the American people.

Ford in the Service of America: Mass Production for the Military During the World Wars

Ford in the Service of America: Mass Production for the Military During the World WarsFord in the Service of America: Mass Production for the Military During the World Wars by Timothy J. O'Callaghan
ISBN: 9780786444854
Published by McFarland & Company on August 31st 2009
Genres: Business & Economics, Corporate & Business History, History, Military, World War I, World War II, United States, 20th Century, Transportation, Automotive, General
Pages: 198

Len's Summary: The history of Ford Motor Company’s products and achievements during two world wars.

American Military Vehicles of World War I: An Illustrated History of Armored Cars, Staff Cars, Motorcycles, Ambulances, Trucks, Tractors and Tanks

American Military Vehicles of World War I: An Illustrated History of Armored Cars, Staff Cars, Motorcycles, Ambulances, Trucks, Tractors and TanksAmerican Military Vehicles of World War I: An Illustrated History of Armored Cars, Staff Cars, Motorcycles, Ambulances, Trucks, Tractors and Tanks by Albert Mroz
ISBN: 0786439602
Published by McFarland & Company on August 24th 2009
Genres: History, General, Military, World War I, Technology & Engineering, Military Science, Transportation, Automotive
Pages: 316

Len's Summary: Useful reference work.

Missed Signals on the Western Front: How Slow Adoption of Wireless Restricted British Strategy and Operations in World War I

Missed Signals on the Western Front: How Slow Adoption of Wireless Restricted British Strategy and Operations in World War IMissed Signals on the Western Front: How Slow Adoption of Wireless Restricted British Strategy and Operations in World War I by Mike Bullock, Laurence A. Lyons
ISBN: 0786449373
Published by McFarland & Company on August 17th 2010
Pages: 228

Len's Summary: How and why wireless voice communications failed to fulfill its promise as a break-through military tool. Larry Lyons is an electrical engineer who spoke on this subject at the 2009 WFA Florida Chapter seminar.

George W. Hamilton, USMC: America’s Greatest World War I Hero

George W. Hamilton, USMC: America’s Greatest World War I HeroGeorge W. Hamilton, USMC: America’s Greatest World War I Hero by Mark Mortensen
ISBN: 9780786463213
Published by McFarland & Company on June 30th 2011
Genres: Biography & Autobiography, General, Military, History, World War I, United States
Pages: 302

Len's Summary: The long-forgotten story of a highly decorated Marine company and battalion commander on the Western Front; one of Leatherneck’s top ten marines. Order from www.mcfarlandpub.com.

Eyewitnesses to the Great War: American Writers, Reporters, Volunteers and Soldiers in France, 1914-1918

Eyewitnesses to the Great War: American Writers, Reporters, Volunteers and Soldiers in France, 1914-1918Eyewitnesses to the Great War: American Writers, Reporters, Volunteers and Soldiers in France, 1914-1918 by Ed Klekowski, Libby Klekowski
ISBN: 0786463481
Published by McFarland & Company on July 30th 2012
Genres: History, Military, World War I, World War II, United States, 20th Century, Personal Memoirs
Pages: 253

Len's Summary: Novelist Edith Wharton, Mrs. W K. Vanderbilt and other American expatriate socialites, adventurers as well as diplomats, soldiers, journalists, and relief workers among others write of their experiences on both sides of the lines. A different slant on the war by two new members of WWHA.

Ballplayers in the Great War: Newspaper Accounts of Major Leaguers in World War I Military Service

Ballplayers in the Great War: Newspaper Accounts of Major Leaguers in World War I Military ServiceBallplayers in the Great War: Newspaper Accounts of Major Leaguers in World War I Military Service by Gary Mitchem, Mark Durr, Jim Leeke
ISBN: 9780786475469
Published by McFarland & Company on September 15th 2013
Genres: Sports & Recreation, Baseball, General, History, Military, World War I, Language Arts & Disciplines, Journalism
Pages: 258

Len's Summary: Annotated accounts of major leaguers who interrupted their careers to serve.