Books on the RNAS in the Summer of 1917?

[elbmc1969]

Are there any books on the RNAS in the summer of 1917?

My understanding is that "Bloody April" caused such horrific losses that the RNAS had to step in to hold the line in the summer. Apparently, the outcome of the summer's fighting was entirely different.

 

[MikeMeech]

Are there any books on the RNAS in the summer of 1917?

My understanding is that "Bloody April" caused such horrific losses that the RNAS had to step in to hold the line in the summer. Apparently, the outcome of the summer's fighting was entirely different.

Hi
Your "understanding" is incorrect. Due to the introduction of new German fighters in the latter part of 1916 and the problems of reequipping and expanding the RFC it was realised there was a shortage of fighters, so the RFC requested help from the RNAS. The first RNAS fighter squadron to arrive was No. 8 (N) at the end of October 1916 (so way before "Bloody April"), this was relieved by No. 3 (N) in February 1917, by the end of March 1917 the RNAS had provided and equipped 4 fighter squadrons to help the RFC. The RNAS provided help until August 1917, by which time the RFC had both expanded to some extent and reequipped with SE.5, Camels and Bristol Fighters all in service. So help from the RNAS was not really down to losses during "Bloody April" it had started long before due to the changing air situation on the Western Front.
As for books, you could start with the OH 'War in the Air' Volume II page 447 (and follow the story in the relevant volumes, which should be available on line), Also the 'RNAS Operations Reports' reprinted in three volumes by Naval & Military Press, Volume 1 'November 1915 to June 1917, Parts 1 to 36' will cover the period you are interested in. 'The Royal Navy's Air Service in the Great War' by David Hobbs, has only just over one page on this period. The 'Royal Naval Air Service 1912-1918' by Brad King has a chapter 'Helping the RFC, The legacy', but the first two sources will give you more detail. Trevor Henshaw's 'The Sky Their Battlefield II' will provided lots of info on actual casualties of the period. Also useful is 'Bloody April... Black September' by Franks, Guest and Bailey. The air fighting of "Bloody April" is generally covered in most publications on aviation on the Western Front, but always remember it was only a small part of the major fighting going on the ground below.

Mike

 

[elbmc1969]

Thank you! Bloody April is well-known and seems to be very well-covered, but I wasn't sure if there was equivalent coverage of the summer fighting.

Canadians seem to be very proud of the RNAS contribution because there were many Canadian pilots, including Raymond Collishaw.

Oh, and my understanding came from reading a single paragraph about the events, so I'm not surprised that it was incomplete

 

[MikeMeech]

Thank you! Bloody April is well-known and seems to be very well-covered, but I wasn't sure if there was equivalent coverage of the summer fighting.

Canadians seem to be very proud of the RNAS contribution because there were many Canadian pilots, including Raymond Collishaw.

Oh, and my understanding came from reading a single paragraph about the events, so I'm not surprised that it was incomplete

Hi
Volume IV of 'War in the Air' covers the 1917 air effort for the major battles quite well, the book also includes the ORBATs and some of the orders for battles in the appendices. An order from the GOC RFC, dated 25 July 1917 (Battle of Ypres) contains the following:
"The GOC would be glad if the Senior Officer, RNAS Dunkirk, could consider the possibility of Bombing:
Varssenaere
Snelleghem
aerodromes in the same way."
As well as the four fighter units the RNAS supplied a limited amount of bombing support. However, although useful the RNAS was providing a comparative small amount of effort in relation to the RFC's and was not involved at all in the all important Corps squadron activities supporting the artillery and infantry in the attack.

Mike