The Aerodrome Forum - View Single Post - Air Aces of the 1914-1918 War

Barrett · 4 April 2009, 02:19 PM

The French and Italian chapters were written by DAS McKay, a WW II triple ace. At this late date there's likely no telling how the Harleyford ace list was compiled, or even by whom. It might have been the Harleyford staff, or it could represent the knowledge of the Air Ministry at the time. At any rate, it was the most complete list available, and despite mixing "destroyed" and "moral" victories, certainly it provided a point of departure for later scholars. Undoubtedly the same could be said of the other nations' aces.

IMO it's an interesting bit of esoterica, demonstrating the evolution of aviation historiography as well as specific "aceography."

4 April 2009, 02:19 PM	#8
Barrett Forum Ace of Aces Join Date: Aug 1998 Location: The American West Posts: 5,749	The French and Italian chapters were written by DAS McKay, a WW II triple ace. At this late date there's likely no telling how the Harleyford ace list was compiled, or even by whom. It might have been the Harleyford staff, or it could represent the knowledge of the Air Ministry at the time. At any rate, it was the most complete list available, and despite mixing "destroyed" and "moral" victories, certainly it provided a point of departure for later scholars. Undoubtedly the same could be said of the other nations' aces. IMO it's an interesting bit of esoterica, demonstrating the evolution of aviation historiography as well as specific "aceography." __________________ You will not rise to the occasion: You will default to your level of training. Last edited by Barrett; 4 April 2009 at 04:26 PM.