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During the month of June the Squadron was equipped with Salmson Airplanes and they were used from this time throughout all ensuing operations. Some slight difficulties were experienced at first on account of the mechanics lack of familiarity with the motor, but after a certain amount of experience these troubles were overcome and the Salmson gave excellent satisfaction. This plane is of French design and equipped with a two-hundred and sixty kilometers per hour and it possessed good climbing qualities. While at Amanty the Squadron was given the honor of using the American flag as its insignia, it being the first squadron on the front. This insignia was painted on all ships. 

Chapter III

Chateau- Thierry.

On July 16th, the Kaiser began his last and most powerful effort. His pretentious plans was fully laid. Attacking to the south and west of Chateau-Thierry, he would envelop Paris, already under fire from his monster guns in the forest of Gobain; with Paris France must fall and at a stroke his ambition of a world empire ruled by the House of Hohensollern [Hohenzollern] would be realized. But the French held their lines with a stubborn tenacity. The Marne became another Verdun and then, while the world held its breath, Marshall Foch delivered his master stroke. The counter-offensive, beginning July 18th, between Chateau-Thierry and Soissons makes the turning point, the crisis of the great world war. It was here that the offensive of the German's was broken and the offensive of the Allies began. Never again was Germany able to launch another powerful drive and that date marks the first of the sledge-hammer blows which constantly repeated, were eventually to force Germany to her Knees. 

On June 29th the Squadron moved from Ourches to Saints, here to take part in the Chateau-Thierry offensive, the first major operations of the American forces. Flying over the front began on the morning of July 1st, the first plane being flown by Lieut. Thaw with Lieut. Saunders as observer. 

The morning of July 18th, is one never to be forgotten by the members of this squadron. Alerted at the first break of dawn, waiting, waiting while the guns roared dull and sullen, waiting for a ray of sunlight that would pierce the fog. A heavy ground-mist gave the hangars and planes a weird, ghostly appearance, everyone looked consciously unconcerned, especially the two men, Lieut. McCormick and Lieut. Bird, who had the honor of being scheduled for the first mission. How we all envied them. And still the fog would not life, finally, at six o'clock, the first plane took off, it was lost to sight almost at once. Breakfast was forgotten, every [everyone] remained on the field waiting for the first tidings to be brought back. And when, several hours later the hum of the returning motor was heard a deafening cheer went up. Pilot and Observer were immediately surrounded by an eager questioning throng, the question asked was characteristically American, it was not "Did they break through?" but "How far have they gone?" and the reply "They busted through easy and are going to beat hell," though everyone expected it, raised another cheer that our doubhboys [doughboys] could have heard above the yells of "Kamerad." Another plane was sent up at once and throughout that day and many more days to follow, planes were maintained over the corps Sector from dawn to dark. Such was the first day of the Chateau-Thierry offensive.