Book Idea

Pips · 21 July 2006, 05:20 AM

Thought I would throw out for discussion this idea for all the authors that frequent this board. I've got absolutely no skill in writing a book such as this, but would dearly love to see something like this in print. It really fascinates me. And I don't think it has been done before.

And that is a book of firsts in WWI aviation. Like the first plane/crew that crashed (to any cause), the first to be shot done by AA, same but by another aircraft. The first to fly a mission (any mission) in WWI. First to carry out a reconn over the lines, or the first to reconn a major city. The first to drop a bomb, first to strafe . First to bomb a city, first to be captured, first escorted mission and so on. The type and variety of firsts is really only limited by one's imagination.

To add interest and meat to the topic the first's could be both cronological, and also by air force. At least cover the major's eg France, Britian (RFC/RNAS) and Germany (including their Marine group); but there's always scope for the less well known eg Italy, Austro-Hungary and the US.

For that human touch each case could include the date, type of aircraft, names of the crew, location of event, result of mission and perhaps (if known) the career of the crew eg survived the war, killed, whatever.

Be interested to know what others think.

22 July 2006, 06:24 AM

The Guiness History of Air Warfare supplies almost as many 'firsts' as you could want eg first successful attack by an aeroplane upon a warship - Kiaochow Bay September 1914 - but not all relate to WW!.
Regards

Buzzer

TomVrille · 22 July 2006, 07:45 AM

The biggest problem in writing a book along the lines you suggest might be that any potential author would spend so much time reading and cross-referencing that he or she would have little opportunity to take pen in hand! It would first be necessary to collect a large number of Memorable Firsts by sifting through an extensive list of references. Then, when conflicting accounts of some specific event are found, further research would be needed to separate the tall tales from history.

A more promising approach to your suggested theme might be to establish a bulletin board electronic forum for WW1 Aviation Trivia. If enough members saw fit to post any interesting "first" that they happened across, a fairly substantial list might be assembled in a fairly short time, and members having conflicting accounts of a given event could argue their case in public. The only essential requirement would be that sources be identified for each initial post.

I began compiling a personal reference list of interesting firsts some time ago. My motivation was not that I intended to write anything, but was simply tired of being unable to recall where I read about some specific item. Here are a few samples, collected and merged from the books Years of Combat by Sholto Douglas, The Sky Their Battlefield by Trevor Henshaw, and Recollections of an airman by Louis A. Strange:

The first R.F.C. casualties in a wartime flying accident were 2/Lt R. R. Skene and Air Mechanic R. K. Barlow of 3 Squadron, killed in a crash shortly after taking off for Netheravon en route for France, on 12 August 1914. Skene was one of the first British flyers to execute a loop.

The first R.F.C. aircraft to land in France on the business of war was a B.E.2b flown by Lt H. D. Harvey-Kelly of 2 Squadron. The flight took off from Dover, and landed in a field near Amiens at 0820 hrs on 13 August 1914.

The first R.F.C. casualties in France were 2/Lt Copland Perry and Air Mechanic H. E. Parfitt who were killed when their B.E.8 crashed on takeoff (stalled) from Amiens on 16 August 1914.

The first R.F.C. reconnaissances over the lines were made on 19 August 1914. The pilots were Capt P. B. Joubert de la Ferté of 3 Squadron (Bleriot XI) and Lt G. W. Mapplebeck of 4 Squadron (B.E.2). The aircraft took off together at 0930 hrs, but flew separate directions thereafter.

The first British airman to be wounded in the air was the Disciplinary Sergeant-Major of 2 Squadron, D. S. Jillings, on 22 August 1914. His normal duties leaving him with some free time, Sgt Jillings was sent out as an observer, in a B.E.2 flown by 2/Lt M. W. Noel. Sgt Jillings was struck by ground fire in either the buttock or leg, depending on which source one chooses to believe. (To be inclusive, let's say the upper leg!) Happily, Sgt Jillings was able to return to his squadron by October 1914. He remained in the R.A.F after the war, ans saw service in WW2 as a Wing Commander.

22 July 2006, 10:43 AM

Its funny how you chose to put this up the first day I started researching for my book. It sounds like a good idea.

Roadhog · 25 July 2006, 02:03 AM

Dear Cobby, Sir, In my opinion it would be almost impossible to write a novel and cover the subject list you mentioned because the book would have to have too many complicated plot twists or the protagonists would have to beat too many places at just the right time for the events to unfold. Such coincidences really stretch the patience of the reader. I am working on a novel (my fourth) about WWI airmen right now and just to get the book's main character, a German fighter pilot, on board a Gotha bomber for the first attack on London (and make it believable) stretched my meager talents to the maximum.

However, on the other hand, a nonfictional month-by-month account of the airwar would be another matter entirely and this format could work well.

Good luck to all authors. VR, Roadhog "Memento mori."

Rick · 25 July 2006, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadhog

I am working on a novel (my fourth) about WWI airmen right now and just to get the book's main character, a German fighter pilot, on board a Gotha bomber for the first attack on London (and make it believable) stretched my meager talents to the maximum.
VR, Roadhog "Memento mori."

Like Ltn.d.R. Kurt Küppers ??? R.

Roadhog · 25 July 2006, 08:33 AM

Dear Rick, This is why I love the Forum so much, it is impossible to read everything on the topic of WW I aviation so you experts are better than an entire research staff, since that is essentially what you (we) are. Was there a fighter pilot along for the ride on the first London Raid and where can I lay my hands on his account of how things went? Answer these questions my friend and I owe you dinner and a big acknowledgement in the book. Thanks again sir. VR, Roadhog "Memento mori."