Title: Diary of William T. Clements

Identifier: 0211-b1-fa   (https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/56168)

Description: Typescript of Lt. William Clements' diary kept during World War I. Clements enlisted in the U.S. Air Service in 1917. Clements diary begins with a description of military life while waiting to be shipped overseas. Clements then describes the voyage overseas aboard the liner CARMANIA including watching for enemy submarines, fleet target practice, and an inter-ship boxing match. Upon his arrival at Liverpool, England, Clements describes flight training and his job as a flight instructor. After completing instructional duties, Clements was assigned to combat duty in France. His diary includes vivid descriptions of patrol duty, aerial combat and strafing missions while assigned to the 148th American Squadron. From August 28 to the Armistice, Clements served as a flight commander in the 17th American squadron and the diary describes a landing accident, "wireless interception" tactics, and his "worst fight" with the enemy. Also of interest are his descriptions of off duty activities and comments regarding the armistice. At the end of the diary, Clements has compiled the organizational plan of the 17th and 148th American squadrons and also the combat statistics (casualties and damage inflicted on the enemy) of the 17th squadron.