Bloody April 1917: The birth of modern air power

Dr James S Corum's book "Bloody April: The April 1917 Air Campaign" is a well-informed and multi-faceted history of the World War I air campaign of Bloody April. It examines how the campaign caused Allied forces to reassess their approach to airpower and how the artillery-aircraft combination ideally had to work in late-WW I ground offensives. It also describes little-known parts of the campaign, such as the use of strategic bombing with heavy aircraft and the German use of advanced high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft with oxygen and heated suits. Lessons from Bloody April paved the way for the airpower revolution that, by 1918, would make the Allies masters of the sky on the Western Front.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This is a meticulously researched and comprehensive history of the World War I air campaign known as Bloody April, sourced from original-language primary sources. Authored by Dr. James S. Corum, an expert in both air and ground military operations, the book delves into the causes and consequences of Bloody April, which forced Allied forces to reevaluate their approach to airpower. Dr. Corum examines various factors, including technology, training doctrines, and the ideal coordination between artillery and aircraft in late-WW I ground offensives. He analyzes the mistakes made by both sides and explores lesser-known aspects of the April campaigns, such as the strategic use of heavy aircraft and the German employment of advanced high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft with oxygen and heated suits. The book also highlights the exploits of the legendary Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen.

Lessons learned from Bloody April not only improved the coordination between Allied artillery and aircraft but also played a significant role in increasing the aircraft's support for ground troops in attack mode. This period laid the foundation for the airpower revolution that, by 1918, made the Allies dominant in the skies on the Western Front.

In conclusion, this book offers a deep and insightful exploration of the Bloody April air campaign, providing valuable insights into the development of airpower during World War I. Through meticulous research and expert analysis, Dr. Corum sheds light on the challenges faced by both sides and the lessons learned that shaped the course of the war.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 185 x 247 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472853059