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Raymond Collishaw and the Black Flight
The first comprehensive biography of Canada’s third-highest- scoring ace in the First World War.
Ever wondered what it would be like to fly a biplane or triplane in the First World War? Raymond Collishaw and the Black Flight takes you to the Western Front during the Great War. Experience the risks of combat and the many close calls Collishaw had as a pilot, flight commander, and squadron leader. Understand the courage Collishaw and his fellow flyers faced every day they took to the air in their small, light, and very manoeuvrable craft to face the enemy. As the third-highest-scoring flying ace among British and colonial pilots in the First World War, scoring 60 victories, Collishaw was only surpassed by Billy Bishop and Edward Mannock. This book traces Collishaw’s life from humble beginnings in Nanaimo, British Columbia, to victories in the skies over France.
Ever wondered what it would be like to fly a biplane or triplane in the First World War? Raymond Collishaw and the Black Flight takes you to the Western Front during the Great War. Experience the risks of combat and the many close calls Collishaw had as a pilot, flight commander, and squadron leader. Understand the courage Collishaw and his fellow flyers faced every day they took to the air in their small, light, and very manoeuvrable craft to face the enemy. As the third-highest-scoring flying ace among British and colonial pilots in the First World War, scoring 60 victories, Collishaw was only surpassed by Billy Bishop and Edward Mannock. This book traces Collishaw’s life from humble beginnings in Nanaimo, British Columbia, to victories in the skies over France.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 20, 2023
This book was originally published in 1973 under the title “Air Command” and republished in 2008. Collishaw, a Canadian, started his career in the RAF at the bottom during the Great War and rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal by the end of The Second World War. He was the second highest Canadian Ace, shooting down 61 enemy planes. Interesting background to his exploits is included in the preface. His leadership skill must also have been high as he was one of the few flyers kept in the much smaller RAF during the dark days of the Depression. As the Second World War loomed, promotions came quickly from the late 1930’s to the end of the war.
He held positions as Commander of the “Desert Air Force” controlling all aircraft from Cairo east including Malta and later, all the aircraft in Scotland. This included defense of the Orkney Islands and the Royal Navy in Scapa Flow. Uniquely, he also held experience as head of the air aspects of an aircraft carrier (known as CAG in the US Navy) before the Second World War. This book talks almost exclusively about flying. It deals very little with his leadership or resource management. However, he does talk a little about both how to keep morale high and how to take the war to the enemy when he outnumbers you by four times.
The book is very interesting however, I found there were too many stories of the battles in the Great War. This just took up too much of the book. In my opinion, he could have removed 20 or 30 pages and given us a more balanced and equally interesting book.
As Collishaw moved up the ladder, he found fewer and fewer opportunities to actually fly as he assumed other responsibilities. Because perhaps of his Great War experience, he understood the need for close cooperation with ground and naval forces. He realized that the only way to achieve local numerical superiority was to attack the enemy frequently and over a wide area. This was accomplished using surprise and darkness. At the same time, he attacked ground troops frequently but with few planes. This allowed the enemy’s ground forces to yell for help from their air force as they “were bombed and shot up everywhere.” As the desert war began, Collishaw had only one Hurricane. By showing it everywhere and often, the enemy ground forces swore they had seen many more than actually existed. As a result, the enemy air force was forced to disperse and make itself vulnerable to local superiority.
The tactics of the Canadian Corps in the Great War during the 100 Days are recognized as true all arms warfare including the bombing of ground resistance and troop concentrations. Even the Germans during the March and April attacks in 1918 did not fully use their air forces in a significant way. Collishaw opines they might have gone much farther.
A fascinating story of an unsung Canadian. Particularly interesting for those interested in the evolution of air warfare during the first half of the 20th century. Four stars.
He held positions as Commander of the “Desert Air Force” controlling all aircraft from Cairo east including Malta and later, all the aircraft in Scotland. This included defense of the Orkney Islands and the Royal Navy in Scapa Flow. Uniquely, he also held experience as head of the air aspects of an aircraft carrier (known as CAG in the US Navy) before the Second World War. This book talks almost exclusively about flying. It deals very little with his leadership or resource management. However, he does talk a little about both how to keep morale high and how to take the war to the enemy when he outnumbers you by four times.
The book is very interesting however, I found there were too many stories of the battles in the Great War. This just took up too much of the book. In my opinion, he could have removed 20 or 30 pages and given us a more balanced and equally interesting book.
As Collishaw moved up the ladder, he found fewer and fewer opportunities to actually fly as he assumed other responsibilities. Because perhaps of his Great War experience, he understood the need for close cooperation with ground and naval forces. He realized that the only way to achieve local numerical superiority was to attack the enemy frequently and over a wide area. This was accomplished using surprise and darkness. At the same time, he attacked ground troops frequently but with few planes. This allowed the enemy’s ground forces to yell for help from their air force as they “were bombed and shot up everywhere.” As the desert war began, Collishaw had only one Hurricane. By showing it everywhere and often, the enemy ground forces swore they had seen many more than actually existed. As a result, the enemy air force was forced to disperse and make itself vulnerable to local superiority.
The tactics of the Canadian Corps in the Great War during the 100 Days are recognized as true all arms warfare including the bombing of ground resistance and troop concentrations. Even the Germans during the March and April attacks in 1918 did not fully use their air forces in a significant way. Collishaw opines they might have gone much farther.
A fascinating story of an unsung Canadian. Particularly interesting for those interested in the evolution of air warfare during the first half of the 20th century. Four stars.
December 20, 2017
This is a pure history book and a somewhat limited biography. In that role its extremely good and gives you factual details without trying to get inside Collishaw's head or provide revisionist impressions. Nowadays we probably have forgotten men like Raymond Collishaw which is sad, they form a piece of Canadian history that is now seen as being key to the reputation this country now has. Which got its start in wwi.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews