Original LARGE WWI WW1 photo - Aerial of Verdun - 1st Aero Squadron - US

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Original LARGE WWI WW1 photo - Aerial of Verdun - 1st Aero Squadron - US:
$19.99

Original LARGE WWI WW1 photo - Camera Plane On Ground - 1st Aero Squadron - US
This picture is from the personal collection of 2nd Lt. Almon Bogardus, FA with the 1st Aero Squadron of the Army. Lt. Bogardus served as an observer with the 1st Aero Squadron., taking observational photographs and documenting the campaigns and sectors during WWI and the Occupational period after the war ended.
This picture shows a 1st Aero Squadron airplane with the pilot in the front seat and the photographer, likely Lt. Bogardus, in the back seat looking at the camera. In front of him is the large camera used to take pictures.
History of The 1st Aero Squadron - Army.
The 1st Aero Squadron was formed on January, 7th, 1914 and was the very first air unit created. Early on, the 1st Aero Squadron participated in the hunt for Pancho Villa. When the US declared war on Germany in 1917, the squadron was sent to France with the 1st Division. In February 1918, a member of the 1st Aero Squadron became the first person in the US Military to shoot down an enemy aircraft.
In April 1918, the squadron was assigned to the I Corps Observation Group, Air Service, First Army, and was designated as a Corp Observation Squadron. The mission of the 1st Aero Squadron was surveillance of the enemy rear areas through both visual and photographic reconnaissance in support of intelligence gathering operations on enemy movements and positions.
Below are some dates the 1st Air Squadron saw direct involvement in World War I:Sector/Campaign DatesToul Sector 4April-28 June 1918Aisne-Marne Sector 1–14 July 1918St. Mihiel Offensive Campaign 15–18 July 1918Aisne-Marne Defensive Campaign 7 July-6 August 1918Vesle Sector 7–12 August 1918Toul Sector 12 August-11 September 1918St. Mihiel Offensive Campaign 12–16 September 1918Toul-Verdun Sector 17–25 September 1918Meuse-Argonne Offensive Campaign 26 September-11 November 1918
After the armistice, the I Corps Observation Group was disbanded and the squadron was assigned to serve as part of the occupation force of the Rhineland under the Third Army Air Service. The squadron served until June 1919, when it was relieved of duty with the American Expeditionary Force and returned to the United States.
Once back in the States, the squadron served in various assignments in multiple Observation groups in the Army.
I\'ll be listing many more photos from Lt. Bogardus\' collection. Keep an eye out for them.