An anonymous 30-page booklet written in Anglo-American language, entitled « « History of the United States Naval Air Station, Ile-Tudy, Finistère, France », was published shortly after the end of the First World War by the U. S. military authorities.
It covers the detailed history of the seaplane base since the arrival of the first American aviator, Lieutenant Callan, on november 30th, 1917, in what the author of the work calls « the singular and picturesque Breton village of Ile-Tudy », until the end of hostilities.
Three essential points hold the autor’s attention :
1) The construction of the station during 1918. We learn in particular of the decision to bring stones from Plomeur by truck for the construction of concrete constructions, despite the distance then considered significant between the deux « Bigoudène » communes.
2) The success of the air operations in the fight against German submarines cruising off the tip of Penmarc’h.
If the author is to be believed, the bombs dropped vertically by the seaplanes hit them precisely, sinking them and seriously damaging them, discouraging their crews for continuing to threaten Allied ships. The operations, although late, carried out between March and early November 1918, with a significant concentration of seaplanes in the area from April to August, are therefore presented as very effective and decisive.
3) Human losses :
Four Americans pay with their lives for their commitment. Two at the start of the operations, two at the end of October 1918. Their deaths were not directly caused by the Germans but by accidents during take-off and landing of the seaplanes. A vibrant tribute is paid to them.
