Bloody April: Slaughter in the Skies Over Arras, 1917

by Peter Hart

The story of the decimation of the Royal Flying Corps over Arras in 1917

As the Allies embarked upon the Battle of Arras, they desperately needed accurate aerial reconnaissance photographs. But by this point the Royal Flying Club were flying obsolete planes. The new German Albatros scouts massively outclassed them in every respect: speed, armament, ability to withstand punishment and manoeuverability. Many of the RFC's pilots were straight out of flying school - as they took to the air they were sitting targets for the experienced German aces.

Over the course of 'Bloody April' the RFC suffered casualties of over a third. The average life expectancy of a new subaltern on the front line dropped to just eleven days. And yet they carried on flying, day after day, in the knowledge that, in the eyes of their commanders at least, their own lives meant nothing compared to the photographs they brought back, which could save tens of thousands of soldiers on the ground.
In this book Peter Hart tells the story of the air war over Arras, using the voices of the men who were actually there.

Genres: History, World War I, Aviation, Military History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, War

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Peter Hart is a British military historian.

He has been an oral historian at Sound Archive of Imperial War Museum in London since 1981.

He has written mainly on British participation in the First World War. His books include; The Somme, Jutland 1916, Bloody April on the air war in 1917, Passchendaele, Aces Falling (on the air war in 1918), 1918 A Very British Victory and Gallipoli.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won't apologise for using the cliche phrase 'must read' - it is indeed a must read for anyone interested in aerial history of World War I. By relying mainly on first person accounts of combatants on both sides, Peter Hart weaves a very personal tale of those tragic events that took place over Arras in 1917. However, his own sparse narrative manages to put the individual experiences of pilots and observers into the larger context, making the reader understand why those events took place and why, despite popular belief, they were neither foolish nor futile. In other words, 'Bloody April' is a much needed book. If there is one weak spot, then it's the fact that its perspective is mainly British.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a must read for the military aviation enthusiast or World War I history buff. Mr. Hart's book Bloody April covers the crucial Spring of 1917 focusing on the British and Canadian assault as supported by the RFC and RNAS, and opposed by the Germans. Bloody April starts with an overview of the war to the point just prior to the Spring of '17. Mr. Hart then covers aviation technology to that point in history to include how aerial photography and gunfire support were utilized. Mr. Hart then moves into the air battles themselves with extensive first hand accounts - in some cases accounts of specific air battles from each side. Bloody April's final chapters cover crew life in and out of the cockpit. This is a fantastic book which provides a comprehensive look at the rapid pace of both technological advancement in aviation as well as the development of aerial combat tactics.

[Sean Chick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can I give this zero stars? This is part of the vogue in British circles to make World War I more palpable. To make the cause a good one (this is plausible) and generals such as Haig and Trenchard as good men doing their best (highly unlikely). I might have put up with the above, but the problems with this book are legion: endless block quotations, an over concentration on the British, and no discussion of the French (who probably had the best overall air performance in the war). I feel as if he is yet another British military historian obsessed with his nation's "honor" and seeking to make it more glorious. This suspicion was supported by discovering that his other books include denunciations of Irish independence and a book called "1918: A Very British Victory." I tire of this kind of dreck. You can't white-wash the heavy losses that Haig and Trenchard suffered in pounding away at their enemies.

[Mark Fishbaugher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult read just because it was the second history of WWI that I have read this year. The story was engaging and a I appreciated the author's research of diaries on both sides of the conflict, often correlating the same air battle from the perspective of both combatants.

I will admit that I was unable to finish. After about 2/3 of the book I became depressed about the history of human warfare. Are all wars, wars of attrition? Do we, as humans, all cling to destructive world views down to the last man standing? Did we not learn anything from WWI?

I write this as history repeats itself in Gaza and Ukraine.

[NDH · Rating 1 out of 5]

I recently read Peter Hart’s book on the Somme, gave it a ‘3’ rating, and concluded my review thereof that this was an author whose work I didn’t care to read again. I wish I’d followed my own advice. His moral posturing, insufferable snobbery, and utterly British arrogance is not in any way justified by any semblance of superlative quality. He’s a pathetic mediocrity, a biased journalist and an entertainer at best, prancing before the mirror that is his audience, congratulating himself on his own wonderfulness. He’s certainly no historian.

What so offends me about him? You may wish to find my review of The Somme where I quote some of his more noteworthy virtue signaling. Herewith a quote from this book:

“On April 6, the United States of America finally declared war on Germany. The Americans had given up their highly profitable perch on the fence and joined the Allied side…”

The sneering arrogance of such an unprofessional and totally gratuitous slur doesn’t deserve a response. Bug off, Peter Hart. I, for one, shall NEVER tire myself again with your bleating.

[Pancho · Rating 3 out of 5]

The vast majority of the book consists of direct quotes from people who were there. I like the concept. The firsthand accounts (some written during the war, some taken from memoirs or other sources written long after) are sometimes tragic, sometimes humorous but always enlightening. "Bloody April" is a good companion to a more conventional history.

Understand that this is a highly Anglo-centric account of a very specific period with only a few German voices to add the barest context. That isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as you understand it going in.

If you have a passing familiarity with the topic this will add a decent amount of context. If not then this will "prime the pump" for further study.

I'm deducting 2 stars because I feel more context could have been supplied to each excerpt, and for the lack of detail on German operations.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives insight into the reasons for aerial combat on the Western Front. Apparently it came down to artillery, as the British sent observers to hunt German batteries, while the Germans sent Albatross to hunt observers. One can feel the hope that contemporary commanders must have felt that they were on the brink of cracking the tactical/operational problems that had reigned through three previous years of wastage and attrition. About 70% of the text is direct citation of pilot, observer, commander and soldier reports, diaries and correspondence. Some truly moving story-lines found within.

[Iain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even better than the first book in this series, perhaps due to the wealth of personal accounts, the increased tempo of battle as well as the greater variety of aircraft and air missions at this time in the war. Benefits from more material from the German participants than found in the prior book.

Would give this 4.5 stars, but it's not quite perfect enough to round up to 5.

Leaves me wanting to read the third and final book in the series.

A must read for those interested in WWI aerial combat.

[Paul Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough examination of WW I aerial combat of the RAF in the spring of 1917.

His description of aerial combat was profound. The author provides the strategic significance of the RAF continuing to send outdated aircraft against the Hun during this time. As a US Navy combat pilot during Desert Storm, his description of squadron life seems timeless across the 20th century. Highly recommended. God bless these young men of the RAF in 1917 for fighting against tyranny.

[Brett Bosley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a quick read (not a criticism). As always, Hart's book is saturated with firsthand accounts, many of which are downright wild. Does a good job of explaining how Arras (and the RFC) fit into the overall strategy.

[Von Meow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic work

[John Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book looks at the struggle in the skies over Arras in 1917, the infamous "Bloody April". It contains a wealth of detail, including frequent anecdotes and stories from the participants. I am impressed with how the author places the air battle in context with the ground battle beneath. He highlights the artillery observation missions in the main. This was the raison d'etre of the air battle; to support the battle below. The scout pilots and aces have their place of course and together make for fascinating reading. A must for any military history or aviation buff. Excellent.

[Anthony Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating insight into the reality of aerial combat in WWI drawing on personal accounts from both British and German pilots.

[Bob Liggett · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the pilot's point of view not the Generals.

Great use of the pilots own words and with commentary...excellent.Gave me a point of view I didn't have before. Gives all sides