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“Bloody April” and the RFC...A thread!
#OTD in 1917 the Battles of #Vimy and Arras began.
The Battle of Arras is considered the nadir of the Royal Flying Corps’ fortunes in the FWW. It was their worst month of the war – 275 aircraft lost & 421 casualties, half fatal.
#OTD in 1917 the Battles of #Vimy and Arras began.
The Battle of Arras is considered the nadir of the Royal Flying Corps’ fortunes in the FWW. It was their worst month of the war – 275 aircraft lost & 421 casualties, half fatal.
Major-General Hugh Trenchard, the RFC commander in France, stated on 10 Apr '17: “The utmost vigour must be shown by all pilots and observers.” This policy worked over the Somme in 1916 but changes in the balance of power in early 1917 eliminated many RFC advantages.
At Arras we see the genesis of the modern air campaign. Underpinned by Trenchard’s offensive concept, the air battle was more nuanced than generally acknowledged. By 1917 the ground and air battles were inextricably linked.
