Raoul Lufbery and Marc Pourpe: From the Birth of Aviation to the Lafayette Escadrille; 1909-1918

Two Great Knights of Adventure is a book written by Jacques Mortane in 1936 that pays tribute to the two pilots, Marc Pourpe and Raoul Lufbery, who were killed in the First World War. American author Dennis Gordon recently translated the book into English and worked with Raoul Lufbery III to add new content from the Lufbery family archive. Pourpe began working with aircraft in 1909 and met Lufbery in 1912. Both pilots flew in WWI, with Pourpe being killed in a crash in 1914 and Lufbery becoming one of the top aces in the Lafayette Escadrille.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2023
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd

Two Great Knights of Adventure, penned by Jacques Mortane in 1936, pays homage to the remarkable lives of Marc Pourpe and Raoul Lufbery, two aviators who tragically lost their lives during the First World War. Mortane, who had close connections with both Pourpe and Lufbery, wrote the book as a tribute to their remarkable achievements. Due to Mortane's privileged access to these early aviators, his work stands as the most comprehensive account of their lives. However, it is noteworthy that the book has not been translated into English and has become scarce, making it inaccessible to a broader audience.

Fortunately, American author and Lafayette Escadrille expert Dennis Gordon recently undertook the task of translating the book into English. In collaboration with Raoul Lufbery III, Gordon has added significant new content to the book through the Lufbery family archive, which accounts for roughly half of this new volume. Marc Pourpe's journey in the world of aviation began in 1909, shortly after completing his education at Harrow. His determination and passion led him to embark on a remarkable adventure of constructing his own aircraft from scratch. By 1911, Pourpe had successfully learned to fly and obtained an official license. He then embarked on a series of thrilling flying experiences, participating in races and exhibitions both in France and throughout the empire. It was in Calcutta in 1912 that Pourpe met Raoul Lufbery, and he immediately recognized the young American's talent as a mechanic. Lufbery joined Pourpe's team, and together they embarked on a series of daring missions during World War I. Pourpe's flying career was tragically cut short when he was killed in a crash in 1914. However, Lufbery's legacy lived on. He became one of the top aces in the Lafayette Escadrille, a French military unit known for its exceptional flying skills. Lufbery's bravery and skill in the air earned him numerous accolades, including the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre. Unfortunately, Lufbery's remarkable journey came to an end in 1918 when he was killed in action during a mission in France.

Two Great Knights of Adventure is a captivating testament to the lives and achievements of Marc Pourpe and Raoul Lufbery. Through the efforts of Dennis Gordon and Raoul Lufbery III, this book has been brought to a new generation of readers, allowing them to appreciate the incredible contributions of these two aviators to the world of aviation. Their stories of courage, determination, and skill continue to inspire and captivate us, reminding us of the indomitable human spirit and the sacrifices made in the name of adventure and exploration.

Weight: 1470g
Dimension: 224 x 287 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780764365355