Yank in the Black Cat Squadron: Hollywood, Humor, and High-Flying Hijinks in WWI

Most folks hear “French Foreign Legion” and picture some rugged adventurer wandering through the desert with a thousand-yard stare and sand in his boots. But in the skies above World War I France, a different kind of legend was being written—one that involved not only dogfights and daring missions, but also practical jokes, stolen grapes, and a cast of characters straight out of a Hollywood backlot.

That brings us to a remarkable article called “Yank in the Black Cat Squadron,” which tells the story of William A. Wellman—better known today as the Oscar-winning director behind Wings, The Public Enemy, and Beau Geste. But before all that, Wellman was just an American kid who wanted to fly—and he sure found himself in the middle of something unforgettable.

From Ambulances to Ailerons

In 1917, before the U.S. officially entered the war, Wellman did what many adventurous Americans did: he joined the French Foreign Legion. Originally signing up as an ambulance driver, he found his real calling in the air. Just three and a half days into his time with the Lafayette Flying Corps, Wellman was learning to fly a Blériot—the fragile, pencil-thin biplane that looked like someone’s first attempt at building a kite with an engine.

The way Wellman tells it, learning to fly meant bouncing down a field, hopping a few feet into the air, and praying your landing touched down on all three wheels. There were no real instructors—just trial, error, and grit. “Fly it like you stole it,” might’ve been an unofficial motto.

Enter: The Black Cat Squadron

Wellman soon found himself in Escadrille N.87—the famed Black Cat Squadron. Now, this wasn’t your average military outfit. This was a squadron full of charm, wit, and an absolutely absurd number of future actors, directors, writers, and producers. Formed by the American Ambulance Field Service, it was a who’s who of future Hollywood royalty.

Here’s just a taste of the lineup:

• Douglas Fairbanks – a movie star who Wellman remembered “doing a gag” even in uniform.
• Howard Hawks and Pat O’Brien – both future film legends.
• Fred “Fritz” Ellis – a talented illustrator.
• Bert Kincaid – Wellman’s tentmate who would go on to direct films.
• And others like Pardee, Dave Putman, John Wellman, Fred Offutt, Kenneth MacKenna, Archie Whiteloose, and even Elliott Springs, the ace turned author.

Together, they were known for breaking the rules, pulling pranks, and somehow, still being effective at what they did. Wellman put it best: “We did everything wrong and came out ahead.”

Gags, Grapes, and Guts

Camaraderie ran deep in the Black Cat Squadron. If you weren’t pulling pranks or laughing, you probably weren’t paying attention. There’s mention of the guys sneaking off to steal grapes and make wine, or the time a general showed up expecting a crisp formation and instead found a bunch of relaxed flyers more interested in having a good time than shining their boots.

Despite the antics, these men weren’t slackers. They were just cut from a different cloth—creative, brave, a little wild—and every one of them seemed to have a story worth filming.

The Sky Was His Classroom

For Wellman, it wasn’t just a thrilling adventure—it was a defining chapter in his life. “One of the things that I am most grateful to the war for is the chance to have met these people,” he said. That squadron, those friendships, and the freedom of the skies all became part of his personal “education.” From there, he moved from the Black Cats to a pursuit squadron, flying combat missions that brought both terror and beauty.

He remembered the roar of air battles as “a big bath-tub full of noise” and the surreal beauty of “the rainbows and sun across the German lines.” Those memories stuck with him, and so did his love of aviation. Years later, he joked he was “always in the market for a good used plane or equipment buy.”

Lights, Camera, Dogfight!

The war didn’t just shape Wellman—it launched him. Thanks to his connection with Douglas Fairbanks, he found his way to Hollywood. He started as an actor, then turned director, eventually winning an Academy Award for Wings—the very first Best Picture winner at the Oscars. And you can bet that every camera angle, every flight scene, had echoes of his time in the Black Cat Squadron.

It’s one of those stories that reminds me why I love aviation history so much. It’s not just about machines or missions—it’s about people. The daredevils, the dreamers, the guys cracking jokes while dodging bullets. Wellman’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the wildest ride takes you exactly where you were meant to go.

Have a story like this tucked away in your family history or hangar log?
Let’s connect—I’m always up for a little hangar talk.

—Bill
Buffalo Air-Park