Bloody April - Slaughter in the Skies over Arras, 1917

Pips · 18 December 2005, 05:14 PM

Just wondering if anyone has read the above book yet? And if so could offer an opinion?

Especially wondering if the book deals at all with the Aviation Militaire's role during April, or if (like most books on

Bloody April) deals only with the RFC. Ta.

Gregvan · 18 December 2005, 07:08 PM

Hi Cobby,
I have read the book and reviewed it very favorably for "WWI Aero" (not published yet, though). The book deals strictly with the RFC and its tasks in the months leading up to, during, and just after April 1917. Virtually nothing about the French.

The author, Peter Hart, is (or was) the Oral Historian at the IWM, which gave him access to many, many unpublished accounts by RFC veterans. The best thing about the book is the many personal accounts by both RFC fliers and a few written accounts by their German adversaries. These accounts are often very touching, evocative and reveal what it was really like to be one of those unsung and beleaguered reconnaissance aircrews in their hapless BE2's.

Though there's nothing on the French, I would still highly recommend this book to anyone. Hart also does a great job of relating the aerial campaign to what was happening on the ground. The only disagreement I would have with the author is in his very positive impression of Boom Trenchard.

If you want some good info on French losses and vic's during this time, you should certainly try to find "Bloody April, Black September" by our own Norman Franks, Bill Bailey et al.

Greg

Pips · 18 December 2005, 10:36 PM

Thanks for the summation Gregvan. Although I have enjoyed several of Peter's other books, it does sound like Peter has followed most other authors lead in reviewing April. So did he offer anything new?. Other than the first person views of combatants?

I do have a copy of Norman Franks

Bloody April... Black September. Jolly good read, and a nice broad view of both periods.

MikeW · 19 December 2005, 04:28 AM

This is the book that has a Camel going down in flames on the cover isn't it? I hope the author didn't choose it!

Mike

josef scott · 19 December 2005, 05:03 PM

I finished reading this book a couple of weeks ago and would definitely concur with Greg's opinion. The first-person accounts really make it worthwhile and it seemed quite factual (to what I know of the subject). I haven't read that many titles on this so I couldn't say if it offered much that was really new.

Don't let the Camel put you off! I would recommend it.

I had just read a similarly titled book (forget the author's name) published in the 60's which was quite awful - chock-full of the usual clichés and misinformation - went to great lengths to disparage MvR. The only thing that made it interesting was it's day-by-day format - not that it was accurate.

G. Scott Long · 20 December 2005, 11:58 AM

Sounds like an Arch Whitehouse book to me!
best wishes, Scott

jastaflieger · 20 December 2005, 05:29 PM

i also want to echo Greg's recommendation. I enjoyed this book alot, while reading the pilot's own words, i felt this book managed to convey much more authenticity than many other books on this subject. In addition, i thinkthe author did a nice job of connecting the RFC's missions for a given day and the ground action/course of the battle than i have ever read before. the over-riding concept being, in the author's opinion, that artillery was crucial to ground gain, or holding the ground, and the "eyes" of the spotterswere quite crucial to the success of the artillery.One thing i can certainly assure anyone , this book is nothing like an Arch Whitehouse book- i have read almost all of those long ago!

Gregvan · 20 December 2005, 06:30 PM

Hi,

I'm certain the book Josef Scott mentioned is "Bloody April" by Alan Morris, published in 1967 by Jarrolds in London (208 pp.). I have not read that particular book, but the source I have says it is a day-by-day look at April 1917. To my knowledge, Arch Whitehouse never wrote a book entitled "Bloody April".

I agree totally with "jastaflieger's" comments. Hart does a terrific job of connecting what was happening in the air to what was going on below on the ground, and pays due tribute to the artillery spotters and their vital job. If one crew got shot down before completing their art-obs or photography mission, another crew was invariably sent out until the job was complete. The lives of two RFC men mattered little when entire armies were involved.

Greg

josef scott · 21 December 2005, 11:42 AM

What Greg said. Alan Morris sounds right. And dear ol' Arch is mentioned in it too...

VonSuppel · 22 December 2005, 04:48 AM

I too just finished

Bloody April - Slaughter in the Skies over Arras, 1917 - terrific read. A great addition to one's Great War Library. If for nothing else, Hart's focus on the 'under reported' side of the air war, namely the yeoman work done by those valiant two seater crews of the RFC. It is refreshing to read the first hand accounts of the various BE, FE and Strutter crews and the dangers they faced daily in order to deliver the vital recon photos, artillery ranging and tactical bombing support to their fellow soldiers in the trenches.

What's the zinger used to quell the fighter pilot's boundless ego - fighter pilots make headlines, attack pilots make history? Peter Hart does a good job of reminding us that that adage also applied in 1917.

I found my copy on the shelves at Barnes and Noble.

-Von Suppel