World War I Flying Ace. He earned 10 combat victories while serving with the 22nd Aero Squadron. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of September 8, 1918, he was wounded while scoring his first three victories near Cirey-Saarburg. Having shot down a two-seater, he was about to land at a German aerodrome when he realized his mistake. Enemy fighters scrambled to intercept his SPAD XIII fighter and he shot down two Fokker D.VIIs while making his escape. On October 23, he shot down a Fokker D.VII that had just destroyed an American balloon. Evidence suggests the German pilot was Max Näther of Jasta 62. In 1938, Swaab served as a technical advisor for the movie "Dawn Patrol," starring David Niven and Errol Flynn. He was also active as an aviation historian of the First World War.
World War I Flying Ace. He earned 10 combat victories while serving with the 22nd Aero Squadron. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of September 8, 1918, he was wounded while scoring his first three victories near Cirey-Saarburg. Having shot down a two-seater, he was about to land at a German aerodrome when he realized his mistake. Enemy fighters scrambled to intercept his SPAD XIII fighter and he shot down two Fokker D.VIIs while making his escape. On October 23, he shot down a Fokker D.VII that had just destroyed an American balloon. Evidence suggests the German pilot was Max Näther of Jasta 62. In 1938, Swaab served as a technical advisor for the movie "Dawn Patrol," starring David Niven and Errol Flynn. He was also active as an aviation historian of the First World War.
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
Family Members
Advertisement
