The Aces' War

Part 2: 1917-1918 (1x2)

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Spring 1917. The battle of the skies was at a major turning point: the United States entered the war and the Germans changed tactics. It was the end of the solo flights and duels that had made Guynemer famous. Ernst Udet was praised by the Red Baron, who integrated him into his famous squadron: "the Richthofen circus". Mick Mannock, who at 29 years of age was the oldest, was a born leader, attentive to his young teammates whom he covered and protected during the fights. When they were on leave, in Paris or Berlin, the aviation heroes paraded and celebrated. But this stardom exasperated the soldiers in the trenches, who were never mentioned in the press. In September 1917, Guynemer was shot down. His body was never found. René Fonck, who never stopped trying to avenge him, went on to win a string of victories and became the new "ace of aces" celebrated by Clemenceau.