Sagittarius Rising

17 December 1998, 08:00 PM

And to what did my eyes feast upon while browsing a used book store in the Fairfax District in Los Angeles? A copy of

Sagittarius Rising! Now this is one I thought I'd never find! It isn't an original print but a re-release from 1963. At any rate it was an incredible bargain at $1.50!!

So far I am extremely riveted by Lewis' account of his experiences. I can only hope he is not an Arch Whitehouse (this would make him an over-dramatist, yes?).

Particularly interesting is the account of the tremendous scrap on 5/7/17 involving 56 Squadron, a few Naval Tripes (presumably from 8 RNAS; he does not specify) and Jasta 11. I gather this was one hell of a nasty scuffle; one that cost Ball his life and sent the 11 man SE5 patrol limping home less 6 their members. I was unaware up till now that Lewis was involved in this battle.

Just thought I'd bring it up. Anyone read any other accounts of this bitter engagement?

stephen · 18 December 1998, 12:42 AM

Have you read the part about his romantic interlude with the South African woman at the forbidden officers' club yet? I only corresponded with him once or twice and he wouldn't talk much, but he did tell me her name... "Zoe." That particular story captured my imagination.

18 December 1998, 08:49 AM

Stepan.Could you tell me when you wrote to Cicil Lewis.I am very intersted in his life and I am doing a paper on him for my exams at the en of the year.I would appreciate any extra info you might have.Thanks.

Vigilant · 18 December 1998, 10:57 AM

Chris, Was that the "dogfight over Polygon Wood"? And wasn't Ball killed in May '17?

Barrett · 18 December 1998, 11:47 AM

Vigilant: I think this is another example of "English English" versus "American English." You chaps of course look at 5/7/17 and assume it's 5 July. Over here we regard it as May 7. The only safe variation is anything over 12/12, unless Druids or somebody out there reverts to more than 12 months per calendar year. Sort of the numerical equivalent of glamor and glamour.
Maybe we Forumites should standardize on one date/time group format, presumably military. 1600 /7 May (not 1600 "hours" which is redundant) would seem appropriate. Or should we go RFC and use Ack Emma and Pip Emma? Scott, whatchutink?

Vigilant · 19 December 1998, 07:42 AM

Barrett, You are quite right. I never gave a second thought to whether it was month/day or day/month. Will in future!

stephen · 21 December 1998, 12:46 AM

Darach:

I wrote to

Cecil Lewis around 1989, and he sent me my same letters back with his hand written notations answering my questions (in as few words as possible). I'm afraid it wasn't among my more fruitful correspondences, but I'll check the letters again for anything worthwhile. Watch this thread for the next 4 or 5 days, and email me if I forget.

21 December 1998, 02:43 AM

I seem to recall reading on the Forum that

Sagittarius Rising was out of print. In the event that I'm not imagining things, I'll just point out that I've seen new copies of the book in the stores this week. So run out and buy it if you don't already own it.

21 December 1998, 07:22 AM

i've read the book just recently, and one thing puzzled me a tad. Lewis arrives at the Somme front in the Spring of 1916, and talks about every one's fear of the Eindecker.

In one passage he states that the Eindecker was connected with the already famous name of Richtoffen. I though MvR only became a fighter pilot in the Fall. Shouldn't the name be Immelmann, or Boelke, then?

Kit

Barrett · 21 December 1998, 02:02 PM

It's not really surprising that RFC pilots were some months behind the times regarding the opposition. I've seen an RFC 1916 aerial tactics manual that was already out of date when published. Remember that 80+ years ago there was no global news network, and military info usually had to travel a tedious route from one combatant country to another, with the filtering process slowly trickling downhill from Whitehall or Unter den Linden to the squadrons in training or at the front. Add the pervasive attitude of secrecy and security and the process is slowed further.
My favorite example of this wartime ennui was related by Robin Olds, shortly after he assumed command of the 8th TFW in 1966. He went to 7th AF HQ in Saigon seeking info on the MiG order of battle and encountered a bespectacled captain who said in hushed tones, "Gosh, Colonel, we can't tell you that. It's SECRET!"