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Skies of Glory: Canada's Air Role in WWI

Discover Canada's remarkable contribution to WWI aviation, showcasing fearless Canadian airmen who became top air aces in the Royal Air Force. Learn about combat techniques, fighter planes, and the high price paid for glory in the skies.

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Skies of Glory: Canada's Air Role in WWI

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  1. The War in the Air

  2. The War in the Air • When the war broke out in 1914, the airplane was a new and unproven invention. • Canadians who wanted to fly joined the British Royal Flying Corps. • Canadian airmen proved to be fearsome flyers and quickly gained a reputation for bravery and skill in battle.

  3. Canadians in the Air • Because of this reputation, Britain launched a pilot training program in Canada. • By 1918, 40 percent of the British Air force Pilots were Canadian.

  4. Who owned the Sky? • Germany had the upper hand in the air at the beginning of the war: • Germany 400 planes and the only Zeppelins • French 156 planes • British 113 planes

  5. German Fighter Planes • Germans also had a superior fighter plane. • The Fokker, had machine gun with timed firing mechanism and outstanding maneuverability. • Also known as a tri-plane

  6. British Fighter Plane • To compete with the Germans… • The British developed the Sopwith Camel in 1917 • shot down more German aircraft than any other Allied plane.

  7. Why did young men join the air force? • there was more glory then fighting in the trenches • they got to fight in leading edge war machines • better food, pay, and uniforms • slept in warm beds

  8. But…all at a high price! • The percentage of pilots killed was higher than any other military branch. • The average life of pilot = 3 weeks • Air service was called “suicide service” • Planes were called “flying coffins”

  9. Air Aces Air Ace: was a fighter who had shot down at least five enemy planes • Top air aces of WWI • - Manfred Von Rickthofen aka 80 victories • “Red Baron” (Germany) • - Rene Fonck (France) 75 victories • - Billy Bishop (Canada) 72 victories • - Ernst Udet (Germany) 62 victories • - Raymond Collishaw (Canada) 60 victories

  10. Canada’s Contribution in the Air • Canadian fighter pilots brought down 438 aircrafts in WWI. • Four of the top seven leading air aces in the Royal Air Force were Canadian!

  11. Combat Techniques • dogfights: dangerous aerial duels • Let’s watch • FACT & FILM: First Dogfighters • Fill in the question sheet as you watch!

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