Quote:
Originally Posted by steven brown
Bristol,
You're correct to be suspicious about the value of creating an elite unit by taking the best men from other units. The case of JG 1 is a case in point. The idea of massing multiple Jastas at a critical point was a great idea, but allowing MvR to pick and chose talent from other units probably wasn't neccessary. At the end of the time frame of this tread however, JG 1 was losing experianced pilots to lead the new Jastas being formed. This dilution of talent, combined with the attrition of the last half of 1917, must have affected JG 1 as well.
|
Steve,
how well that also describes (although not 'self inflicted) the situation on the ground in 1916 on the British front.
The tiny regular army gone past recall, the massive 'new army' lacking any kind of experience or martial ability, other than courage and enthusiasm----which simply is'nt enough against a resolute enemy.
Very few of the old regulars left to train and 'nurture' and a fearsome learning curve---and not just for the other ranks, but right up the ladder---awaiting---but no time to learn except in action (not forgetting that the 'infamous' first day on the Somme was also the 132nd. day of VERDUN!
The Germans had suffered the same at Ypres, in the Autumn of 1914 when they had thrown untrained but enthusiastic volunteers into battle---they afterwards referred to it as the 'KINDERMORD'---massacre of the innocents!
Sorry iv'e drifted again, and yet not as much as it may seem! To understand the air war, it is essential to fully understand the ground side of things----but i don't want you to think i'm pontificating or lecturing Steve.
Dave.