Lt. France enlisted at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota and was sent to Canada to receive his training with the “Toronto 300”. He was sent overseas in January of 1918 and joined 60 Squadron, R.A.F., flying S.E. 5’s under the command of Major Clark.
On August 22, 1918, while participating in the 2nd Battle of the Somme, Lt. France, Major Clark and another attacked an enemy observation balloon near Haucort. When Lt. France made his pass, the withering fire from the ground alarmed him, but he held steadfast. The balloon was forced down and the three shared credit for the victory. On August 29th, he was transferred to the American 17th Aero Squadron and served there until the end of the war.
Charlie France spent many days in his latter life at the house of Jim Parks. Charlie was an excellent chef and cooked many Sunday meals for our family. He is greatly missed by us.
|
