Depth Topic 5: The War in the Air (1914-1918) Flashcards
Provide some context on the early developments in aircraft and flight
In December 1903, brothers Wilbur and Orville Wrigjt were the first men to fly a heavier-than-aircraft. Following this in 1908, Lord Asquith approved the formation of an Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (ACA) comprised of politicians, army officers and Navy officers to investigate the feasibility of using this new innovation in warfare. Four years later, the RFC was formed, followed by the RNAS.
Which key figures were involved in promoting investment and research into aricraft?
Prime Minister Lord Asquith’s approval of the ACA allowed for greater investigation into aircraft but the initial promoters of the concept were the Wright brothers, who were the first men to fly a heavier-than-aircraft. Following the formation of the ACA, Haldane’s support for the development of aeroplanes allowed for greater support for the British Army to adopt them into military service in the form of the RFC, first commanded by Sir David Henderson. Despite the reluctance of Admiral Fisher to integrate aircraft into the Royal Navy due to their potential impact on naval warfare, First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill was keen on them and formed the RNAS.
What challenges and technical limitations hindered early development of aircraft?
Aircraft in its early stages were very limited as to how how far could travel and how high they could fly, hence why reconnaisance balloons were initially used as they could reach greater heights and are therefore more effective at gathering intelligence, although they were still used for reconnaisance at times. They were also exceedingly fragile due to only being made from wood and fabric, which was because there were fears that the aircraft would not fly if it were constructed using heavy materials.There were also no weapons such as machine guns on the craft, meaning that they could not be used to attack the enemy from the skies and would therefore have little use as part of the battlefield as they could not defend themselves from incoming attacks either. Additionally, development needed to happen relating to the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) before any other changes could be made after its application to warfare, thus proving the aircraft was very much undergoing a process of experimentation in the early years and would require a great deal of modifications.
Explain the differing atitudes and usage of aircraft between the Allies and the Germans during the early stages of the First World War
Both sides wanted to use aircraft for reconnaissance purposes at first, with the Germans favouring airships, more commonly known as ‘Zeppelins’ during the First World War, which were used to bomb Britain in the early stages of the conflict, beginning on Christmas Eve 1914. As the Germans turned to more offensive uses of aircraft as they continued to bomb the south east coast of Britain, the Allied Power of Britain focused on their usefulness at gathering intelligence, with the Royal Navy using airships whilst the Army preferred the kite balloon instead. The RFC and RNAS were tasked with performing reconnaissance initially, most likely due to aircraft still undergoing a process of experimentation from prior to the First World War’s beginning, and whilst balloons were more reliable than aeroplanes, aircraft was still a new concept that many conservative officers in both the Army and Navy, such as the revered Admiral Fisher also had their doubts about. Therefore, they were restricted to reconnaissance which was successful mostly during the early stages of the war for informing the decisions of General Sir John French on German movements and position.
Why did the British prioritise observation and kite balloons initially?
The British were primarily concerned with using balloons for intelligence and reconnaisance purposes due to not wanting to use balloons or airships offensively as the Germans did. Balloons were considered more reliable than aeroplanes at this time due to being able to go higher into the air than aeroplanes, meaning there was a higher chance of gathering better intelligence on German movement than using machinery that was very limited and relatively basic in design. Kite balloons allowed an observer to rise above the battlefield up to 4000 feet where they coudl see about 15 miles in all directions and could be connected via wireless telephony to intelligence officers on the gorund of any key German positions. However, as time went on, these balloons became sporting targets for pilots and both sides often made competitions between themselves as to who could shoot down the most enemy balloons.
What equipment would a balloon crew have, and what uses did they provide?
Observation balloons had a two-man crew and would be given a kit of a telephone, binoculars, cameras, a barometer, maps, paper and sandbags. Telephones were very much experimental at the time and had extensive man-power using wireless telegraphy and telephony for intelligence purposes during the First World Wae to transmit messages about German positions. Binoculars and cameras were used to observe and docment their findings, with barometers used to measure the weather and monitor it in case of abnormalities that could impact the balloons. Sandbags were kept in the basket and would be thrown out after reaching certain heights and wanting to ascend higher and parachutes were also provided and attached to the rigging. They operated on a ‘static line’ principle so the parachute should work as soon as the man jumped, but were not always effective due to being basic, unreliable and going through a process of experimentation.
Assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of using balloons on the Western Front
Balloons initially provided great reconnaissance due to being more reliable than aeroplanes at the time and being able to fly 4000 feet in the air and its views spanned a 15 mile radius, hence why it was estimated by German sources that the British had a balloon superiority of 15:1 by later 1916. They could also be connected to the ground via wireless telephony so the observers could communicate to the intelligence officers and alert them of any immediate updates to the German position that could inform the decisions of the British generals. However, as the war progressed, the balloons quickly becaem vulnerable to attack from German aircraft after machine guns were attached to them in spring 1915, meaning that they were rendered obselete. They also became sporting targets for RFC pilots later in the war with advancements in weaponry on aircraft, and as aeroplanes became more sophisticated, they replaced reconnaissance balloons because they could move and scout ahead as opposed to the stationary nature of kite balloons. Therefore, as weaponry and aircraft underwent greater development, balloons became less useful.
Explain the purpose of Zeppelin airships
Which areas were targeted by Zeppelin attacks?
What was the British response to these attacks, and to what extent were the German attacks a strategic success?
What measures were taken to limit enemy reconnaissance?
How did aircraft assist ground artillery units?
How were aerial photographs used in battlefield strategy?
Why did aerial reconnaissance become more effective over time?
Explain how Trenchard’s objective of performing reconnaissance was designed to achieve aerial superiority
Explain how Trenchard’s objective of denying enemy reconnaissance was designed to achieve aerial superiority
Explain how Trenchard’s objective of attacking and engaging the enemy was designed to achieve aerial superiority
Explain how Trenchard’s objective of restoring and maintaining morale was designed to achieve aerial superiority
Explain Haig and Trenchard’s attitude towards war in the air
Describe early aerial combat
What was the ‘Fokker scourge’?
Explain the tactics of a dogfight
Explain the purpose and effectiveness of the BE.2
Explain the purpose and effectiveness of the Sopwith-Kauper Camel and SE5.a
Explain the purpose and effectiveness of the Fokker Drei and Sopwith Triplane
Explain the purpose and effectiveness of the Bristol Braemar
Outline the career and legacy of Edward ‘Micky’ Mannock
Outline the career and legacy of Jimmy McCudden
Describe the general type of soldier in the RFC/RNAS
Why were pilots given the nickname of ‘ace’?
Why did so many pilots receive the Victoria Cross?
What skillset would a good pilot require?
Explain why the life expectancy of pilots was so short?
Discuss the effectiveness and impact of the Gotha Raids
How did British aerial bombing compare?
