Escadrille: (wp) E-flat Contrabass Clarinet

Early in World War I (1916), prior to the USA entering the conflict, Americans joined the French Air Corps. They were originally called the Escadrille Americaine---the name was changed to Escadrille de Lafayette after protest from the Germans that America was not in the war. The Escadrille had a reputation for daring recklessness and a party atmosphere. The corps mascots were two lion cubs, "Whiskey" and "Soda." The insignia was an American Indian head with a flowing war bonnet. The entire squadron merged with the American Air corps (1918) once the USA entered the war.