The Battle of Verdun stalled efforts to form an American squadron, as the French poured all their efforts into saving Verdun. Kiffin chafed at the delay. He was much more interested in fighting for France than in forming an American squadron, but he sat at the air reserve depot waiting for orders. Finally, in April 1916, the American squadron was formed. Initially called the Escadrille Américain (American Squadron) the name was changed to Escadrille Lafayette after German complaints that the name violated American neutrality. It was to fly the newest fighter in the French inventory, the Nieuport 11. This was described as a “sesquiplane” (1-1/2 wing) because the lower wing was much narrower than the upper wing. This gave the pilot better downward visibility, while still maintaining the structural integrity and much of the lift of a biplane. (Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nieuport_11_flyover.jpg)