[Vin]

Leo,

You can get a good idea of how the empire pilots went by looking at the lists kept at this site. My view is that the nationality of the pilot was not of much consequence. The significant factors were training, time and period at the front, type of aircraft, assigned tasks and quality of opposition. My impression is that it was more difficult to survive and prosper in 1916 and 1917 than in 1918. The RFC recruited empire pilots from a variety of sources, light horsemen, infantry, volunteers who were already pilot trained, in much the same way as bods from U K were recruited. Although some Canadians will disagree, I think it is a mistake to look at the country of origin of members of the RFC/RNAS/RAF. There was only one active non-RFC/RAF air force among the Empire countries, the AFC. As far as the Western Front was concerned, its 3 squadrons were only really active in 1918 and were very successful. I believe their success came from comparatively good training, access to quality aircraft, the Camel, SE 5A and Snipe and the fact that the Entente had aerial superiority during 1918.


Vin