Luke and his wingman Lieutenant Joseph Wehner “developed a twilight technique that was to be further developed (into night-fighter operations) in the next war. They would attack the enemy in the last, fading light of the day and land after dark” (Sims 61). These tactics demonstrated Luke’s intellectual prowess in the air and his ability to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield of WWI. Yet what made him an excellent fighter pilot was his killer instinct and daring attitude. Even Rickenbacker in his autobiography, “Fighting the Flying Circus”, stated, “… Frank Luke, who in my opinion was the greatest fighting pilot in the war …” (Rickenbacker 229), as well as “There was Luke – the most intrepid airfighter that ever sat in an aeroplane. What possible honor could be given him by his country that would accord him the distinction he deserved!” (Rickenbacker 323). Rickenbacker himself realized the immense skill Luke had and the role he had played during the
Luke and his wingman Lieutenant Joseph Wehner “developed a twilight technique that was to be further developed (into night-fighter operations) in the next war. They would attack the enemy in the last, fading light of the day and land after dark” (Sims 61). These tactics demonstrated Luke’s intellectual prowess in the air and his ability to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield of WWI. Yet what made him an excellent fighter pilot was his killer instinct and daring attitude. Even Rickenbacker in his autobiography, “Fighting the Flying Circus”, stated, “… Frank Luke, who in my opinion was the greatest fighting pilot in the war …” (Rickenbacker 229), as well as “There was Luke – the most intrepid airfighter that ever sat in an aeroplane. What possible honor could be given him by his country that would accord him the distinction he deserved!” (Rickenbacker 323). Rickenbacker himself realized the immense skill Luke had and the role he had played during the