The Storks : The Story of France's Elite Fighter Groupe de Combat 12 (Les Cigognes) in World War I Book

Born during the horrendous Battle of Verdun in 1916, The Storks became France's premier fighting group in World War I.

Initially comprising the Escadrilles N3, N26, N73 N103 and under the leadership of Felix Brocard, GC12 counted among its fighter pilots most of the big French aces of the war - Guynemer Fonck (the allied ace of aces with 75 victories), Heurteaux, Deullin, de Sevin, Bozon-Verdurez and many more. It also had several American Lafayette volunteers amongst its ranks, notably Frank Baylies, Edwin Parsons, Bert Hall and Charles Biddle.

Appendices list as complete a roster of GC12 pilots as can be found, lists of bases used, victories achieved and losses sustained. There are also more than 80 photographs of pilots and aircraft depicting men and machines of the Groupe, and side view drawings of aircraft and their markings by Greg Van Wyngarden.

As an addition to WWI literature and history, this book is a must for all Great War aviation historians and enthusiasts.