Battle of Arras

Hi folks, I am trying to carry out a research program on the battle of Arras during April/May. Can anyone please help me with the type of aircraft from all countries involved, that were used during the period. Regards, Ian

[Lufbery]

Ian,

The name of the battle rings some bells, but for the life of me, I can't recall any details. Could you give a brief overview of the battle? Date, participants, etc?

Thanks,

[Rick]

IanS,

1917 ?? R.

[Gregvan]

Ian,

The Battle of Arras was, of course, the prime catalyst for the worst month in the history of the Royal Flying Corps - that's why it was forever afterward recalled as "Bloody April" by the RFC. I would strongly suggest you try to buy or borrow a copy of the book "Bloody April...Black September" (Grub Street, London, 1995) by Norman Franks, Russell Guest and Frank Bailey. This book tells the full story of the day-to-day events of this battle, and also events on the French Front. There is an older book, "Bloody April", by Alan Morris (Jarrolds Publishers, London, 1967) which I have not seen, but which is supposed to be good.

Basically, the RFC persisted in a valiant but perilous offensive policy in the battle, continuously sending their airmen out in outmoded and obsolete aircraft, such as the BE2d, FE2b and DH2. They also flew some single-seat fighters which were a bit better, such as the Sopwith Pup (the RNAS had the Sopwith Triplane), Spad VII, and various models of Nieuport. However, even these were often outclassed by the German fighter pilots, flying defensively in their superior Albatros D.III's. There are others on this Forum which can explain this in far better detail than I.

If you do an internet search for "Bloody April" you may also find some good material. Good luck.

Greg VanWyngarden

[MilesC]

Try my website "Order of Battle: RFC, RNAS, RAF and AFC 1914- 1918, Western Front"

at:

http://clubweb.interbaun.com/milesc/oob1.html

Go down to:
"A summary of the OOB by major battle and at the armistice" and click on it. That will load a large spreadsheet. Scroll down to the Battle of Arras. It is a large html page from an Excel spreadsheet so the lines get messed up, I haven't had time to do anything better.

MC

[Regulus]

Hi Ian,

These are a number of Allied planes I found in use on that moment. It can be that I'm mentioning already some that Greg Van Wyngarden gave you.
The book he recommended you gives indeed a very good view of the situation as it was in April 1917.

FE2b, FE2d, BF2a, BE2e, BE2f, DH4, Caudron R4, Farman, Nieuport 12, Nieuport 17, RE8, BE2g, Morane, Voisin, Sopwith Triplane, Sopwith Pup, Martinsyde G100, Sopwith 1 1/2 strutter, DH2, ...

German side also Halberstadt DII, Albatros DII, ...

Hope this helps a little...

Best from Regulus

Dear Ian,
This battle also marked the baptism of fire of 56 Sqn, the first squadron to fly the SE-5 (not the SE-5a, that came later, Ian). Captain Ball scored the squadron's first victory, as well as the first scored by an SE-5.
VBR,
Captain Lewis
PS If you provide me with an email address, there is a jpeg of an order of battle as well as a diagram of the British patrol areas that I can send you.

[MikeW]

There was a great deal of bad weather during May,
the triplanes of Naval 1 hardly flew until the end of the month.

I believe the RFC did not commit the SE5 in the early part of the battle.

Good morning,
My grateful thanks to you all for your advice and very valuable help.
Yours aye.
IanS