Albert Ball VC

Tobias1988 · 6 November 2015, 09:39 AM

I'm not quite sure, if this book has already been discussed here...

On my summer-trip through England, I visited the RAF-Museum in London, too.
In the shop I bought the book "Albert Ball, VC"; a biography about AB.

It's very interesting to read and sometimes it's a little funny.
It's told how Albert grew up, how he came to the RFC and so on.
The end of course is his tragical death in May 1917. Lothar von Richthofen got the credit to shoot AB down; but, as you probably know, this is very controversial.
I can definitely recommend this book; it's good to read.

http://amzn.to/2pphLdf

R Gannon · 6 November 2015, 02:47 PM

Hi Tobias

Welcome. Its a little quiet here in Forum at present, but from time to time there are volcanic eruptions, where the last fights of Ball, Voss & MvR are hotly debated. Its all there if you want to look. Most recent mega eruption concerned a recent book on Billy Bishop. Still gushing out the occasional cloud.

Have fun.

Cheers Russ

Vin · 7 November 2015, 01:58 PM

A curiosity in the Albert Ball saga is that it is said that after the war, Ball's father purchased the field into which Albert crashed and was discovered by Cecile Deloffre and had built a monument to his son. Ball senior is long gone. Who owns the field now ? I've read Kiernan's book, nothing about it there. Is there anything in Bowyer's bio about the field and what happened to it after Ball Snr, death (that's assuming that the field purchase isn't another of those WW1 aviation legends) ?

Vin · 12 November 2015, 02:49 PM

Over the years, I've emailed the municipal offices at Annoeullin seeking information several times without response. I tried again last week. This morning I received a reply to the effect that the field is within the area controlled by a smaller, nearby village Allenes les Marais so I've sent my enquiry on to its offices. Here's hoping.