North of Le Mans a long line of U.S. tanks thundered to battle. Few tankmen turned to look at a huge block of dark granite in a level field which had been fought over a few days before. The granite showed shell gouges and bullet nicks, but unmarred was its inscription: Wilbur et Orville Wright, Kittyhawk, 1903.
The field was the site of Wilbur Wright's European experimental flights in 1908, the monument a memorial by France's Aero Club. In the 36 years since the Wrights showed France their flimsy, underpowered craft there had been progress—of a sort.
Above the tanks sped a roaring...
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