Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this episode of our “Bloody April 1917” series, we follow the air war over Arras on 5–6 April, from the debut disaster of the Bristol Fighter to the heaviest British losses yet. We look at how over optimistic victory claims contrasted with German records, and trace the one British success that can be clearly matched to a documented German loss.
The video covers night and day operations, including what was most likely the first night aerial victory by German fighter pilots, achieved by Wilhelm Frankl, and his subsequent actions leading Albatros D.IIIs against F.E.2 formations. We examine the fate of Sopwith Triplanes of No. 1 Squadron RNAS, including the type’s first confirmed loss to an enemy fighter, as well as the destruction of multiple F.E.2s from No. 57 Squadron RFC and the costly role of German Jastas 2, 4, 5, 11 and 12.
We also explore the vulnerability of British reconnaissance aircraft such as the R.E.8 and the continuing risks of balloon busting missions against German observation balloons. The French sector’s parallel efforts to blind German artillery observers ahead of the Nivelle Offensive are also briefly covered.
Watch the previous episodes:
youtu.be/Rw-V4RHQtfU
youtu.be/_deCwHEuIsc
youtu.be/tNt_lo_PQnU
youtu.be/POnF3Tla8mM
- Bloody April 1917: The birth of modern air power
amzn.to/3MBiRlZ
- Bloody April 1917: An Exciting Detailed Analysis of One of the Deadliest Months in the Air in WWI
amzn.to/4afEYbA
- UNDER THE GUNS OF THE RED BARON: THE COMPLETE RECORD OF VON RICHTHOFEN'S VICTORIES AND VICTIMS
amzn.to/4aEY0GV
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"Interloper" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
In this episode of our “Bloody April 1917” series, we follow the air war over Arras on 5–6 April, from the debut disaster of the Bristol Fighter to the heaviest British losses yet. We look at how over optimistic victory claims contrasted with German records, and trace the one British success that can be clearly matched to a documented German loss.
The video covers night and day operations, including what was most likely the first night aerial victory by German fighter pilots, achieved by Wilhelm Frankl, and his subsequent actions leading Albatros D.IIIs against F.E.2 formations. We examine the fate of Sopwith Triplanes of No. 1 Squadron RNAS, including the type’s first confirmed loss to an enemy fighter, as well as the destruction of multiple F.E.2s from No. 57 Squadron RFC and the costly role of German Jastas 2, 4, 5, 11 and 12.
We also explore the vulnerability of British reconnaissance aircraft such as the R.E.8 and the continuing risks of balloon busting missions against German observation balloons. The French sector’s parallel efforts to blind German artillery observers ahead of the Nivelle Offensive are also briefly covered.
Watch the previous episodes:
youtu.be/Rw-V4RHQtfU
youtu.be/_deCwHEuIsc
youtu.be/tNt_lo_PQnU
youtu.be/POnF3Tla8mM
- Bloody April 1917: The birth of modern air power
amzn.to/3MBiRlZ
- Bloody April 1917: An Exciting Detailed Analysis of One of the Deadliest Months in the Air in WWI
amzn.to/4afEYbA
- UNDER THE GUNS OF THE RED BARON: THE COMPLETE RECORD OF VON RICHTHOFEN'S VICTORIES AND VICTIMS
amzn.to/4aEY0GV
When you purchase these books on Amazon through the links in this description, the channel earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. The proceeds help fund new book purchases and support the creation of future videos.
Support the channel on Patreon
patreon.com/showtime112
Donate via Paypal:
paypal.com/paypalme/showtime112
Join our Discord server:
discord.gg/c56q7tUNCP
"Interloper" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
