Once a Knight
The time is 1916. America has not yet entered WWI, and Everett Ross, a Texas Ranger not unlike a number of other young men from non-participating countries, quits his job and joins the British Royal Air Corps. The pilots are doing a barely acceptable job using Nieuport planes and random methods of attack. They gain a new commanding officer, who initiates new methods of attack, and they trade their Nieuports for new, far superior Sopwith Camels.
Everett becomes enamored with Geneviève, the daughter of the local tavern owner, and scenes shift from barracks to tavern to dogfights between members of the RAF and German pilots. Everett encounters trouble during one of the sorties and is hospitalized, and from this point, the story embarks upon a new tangent. Everett’s squadron is relocated, a German “push” sends Geneviève and her mother in flight, and our hero commences an incredible journey to find his true love. Walt Shiel is a pilot who knows his planes thoroughly; his description of dogfights are extremely well done and bring to mind little-known early motion pictures such as “Wings” and “Dawn Patrol.” Highly recommended.
