Definitive Albert Ball

Alan · 18 April 2003, 02:25 AM

I've looked all over the Forums, all over the site, and aside from two book references given here(in the Aces section), are there any more definitive sources on

Albert Ball?

I fail to believe there weren't any Albert Ball threads, and if there were, I can't find them - which isn't saying much, but I did use the search engine ad nauseam.

Thanks

Irish41 · 18 April 2003, 05:03 AM

Alan,

Well since Ball is my main interest too, and there's no main thread, let's just start one

Outside of the 2 best known books you mention, there are a few with chapters on Ball. Each one of these has a different line or two that point to a clue to more info, but since NONE of them cite this info with footnotes, >

it's hard to know where some of this comes from - and some of it is WRONG

I've read what I can find, gone to Nottingham, read ALL his letters(I could find), done more research and written some on my own. What I find strange is the phenomena of not touting British aces at all

I'm exploring writing on this lack of attention as a topic in its own. Ball is unique among aces for designing an aeroplane if nothing else!

Cheers,
Scarlett

Barrett · 18 April 2003, 06:59 AM

Actually, Gerhard Fiesler designed several aircraft but of course that was after the war. He was a tremendously versatile airman who won several European aerobatic championships.
Ball has figured in some Lothar threads but not very recently.

Alan · 19 April 2003, 02:03 AM

Well, the Ball/

LvR controversy is a valid one, of course, but do those two books go into any detail on him as a person? *Or are they just a historical accounting of his war record.

I'm looking for a m.o. for him.

Alan · 19 April 2003, 02:05 AM

And Scarlett, those letters, are they part of a private collection? *

They must've been fascinating! *Any insight on him as a person?

Thanks.

Irish41 · 19 April 2003, 04:02 AM

LOADS of insight on Albert, or as he would say himself "Tons!"

I always find getting to know a historic figure through what's in his head and heart, go a long way to understanding his decisions and behavior. As for Albert, I found a very different individual than I had gleaned from the books, or rather a more complete view of him.

But what was most evident was the typical teenager that he was -- and the problems: Strict parents who tried to control a very free spirit; and the usual problems my own twenty year old has -- acne, girls, and money! :

Some of the letters are in the archives, but there are others I am currently trying to get a lead on.

Cheers,
Scarlett

Alan · 19 April 2003, 12:37 PM

Cool. *Very Cool. *When you say archives, which archives do you refer to, if I may ask?

Irish41 · 19 April 2003, 02:22 PM

Hi Alan,

Letters are in the Nottingham Co. Archives in Nottingham, England. Are you looking to write something?

Scarlett

Frank_Olynyk · 19 April 2003, 04:54 PM

I have five

Albert Ball books:
1918: Captain Ball, V.C.: The Career of Flight-Commander Ball, VC, DSO, by Briscoe, Walter A & H Russell Stannard; published by Herbert Jenkins, Ltd., 320 pages

1921: The Boy Hero of the Air, Captain Albert Ball, V.C., by Briscoe, Walter A; published by Oxford University Press, 108 pages.

1939: Captain Albert Ball, by Kiernan, R H; published by The Aviation Book Club, 223 pages.

1977: Albert Ball, V.C., by Bowyer, Chaz; published by William Kimber, 208 pages. New editions of this were published in 1994 and 2002, but I do not know what the differences are.

1988: Scattered With The Winds: The Personal Papers of Captain Albert Ball, by the thief. 51 pages +. Basically copies of his combat reports.

Frank.

MikeW · 20 April 2003, 12:13 AM

Frank,

what's that last one? Messages from the Grave? Or should I say Graves?

Mike