Weather Report

MikeW · 20 April 2003, 12:30 AM

Has anyone got any suggestions for finding out the weather on a given day during the Great War?

I specifically want to know what the flying conditions were like on the 9th April 1917 in the vicinity of Chipilly and Bellevue aerodromes. I have three aircraft from a single flight of Naval 6 crashing, apparently without having been in combat.

One pilot was killed, two injured, three aircraft destroyed.

Any suggestions welcome.

Mike

Alan · 20 April 2003, 04:09 AM

I hate to rain on your parade(no pun intended!), but I've been searching my resources (I work for a Major US Carrier) and the common thinking is it will be difficult to come up with that...not impossible, mind you, and a search of the internet isn't providing any firm leads so far...one of our weather gurus seems to think it a function of Climatology rather than Meteorology.

I know that's not definitive but that's what I have...for now...

Darryl · 20 April 2003, 07:55 AM

Mike,

Easter Monday (fittingly enough, 0041 on just that day here) 1917, 9th April.

In the morning the weather was (over Arras, some 15 or so miles distant) a series of strong squalls of heavy rain and snow and a high Westerly wind, punctuated by periods of clear and bright conditions. I can well imagine the "sucker holes" and the consequent difficulties of the pilots who having made the decision to "go" found themselves without such an accomodating descent path.

At altitude a Sou-Westerly gale apparently blew for most of the day. The only distant patrol of the day was carried out by 6(N) (to Cambrai).

Easter Sunday had been atrocious weather and Tuesday was very wild.

regards

Darryl

MikeW · 21 April 2003, 01:29 AM

Thanks Darryl,

that's exactly what I was looking for - I knew the weather deteriorated the next day, and Henshaw mentions the SW gale at altitude.

Mike

stephen · 21 April 2003, 05:14 AM

Morning, Darryl;

May I ask your source? I've had to rely on sources such as balloon unit reports (who had fairly good weather info, actually) for much of what I've needed. Is there something better? Thanks.

Darryl · 21 April 2003, 08:44 PM

Stephen,

Given my impassioned pleas in the past that people quote sources, remiss of me. My only excuse, the early hour!!

Mil Ops, 1917, Vol (?2, at work!)
Raleigh Jones.

That was the first day of the Battle of Arras.

The Communiques often mention weather (although I am sure Mike has those and they don't mention that day anyway.)

German Kriegstagbuchen (sp?) also have a section on weather which ranges from very specific to "Gut ser kalt" from what I have seen. The record I have for 9th April 1917 is quite long and my German is quite short, (attenuated further by the old script), so I haven't translated it yet.

regards

Darryl

Frank_Olynyk · 21 April 2003, 09:50 PM

3rd and 5th Brigade War Diaries (in the PRO) usually note the weather on each day. Squadron Record Books sometimes note the weather, usually when it prevents flying. I think the RFC/RAF War Diary notes the weather also.

Frank.

stephen · 22 April 2003, 05:18 AM

Thank you gentlemen.