The squadron was first assigned to Luxeuil-les-Bains, a resort town in the Vosges mountains, near the Swiss border. This was a relatively quiet sector, an important consideration when inexperienced pilots are being formed into a new unit. The French spared no expense for this first assignment. The squadron was equipped with brand new equipment and pilots were housed in what was then a luxurious chateau, the Villa du Chatigny. They ate at a fine restaurant, and could easily walk to a hot springs spa that had been renowned since Roman times. In the months and years to come they would be quartered in tents, barracks, or whatever was available, the same as any other French squadron, but their first assignment was luxurious. The only things missing were airplanes. The intense battle at Verdun delayed the arrival of their Nieuports. (Author’s photo)