How Does The Experience Of War From The Air Differ ✓ Solved

How does the experience of the war from the air, as

This week we move somewhat away from the trenches to explore what the war was like in other aspects of combat, such as the aerial perspective Cecil Lewis's memoir provides us. In light of this, we'll try to focus on this shift in perspective by asking you all to choose at least one of the following prompts to respond to.

1. How does the experience of the war from the air, as demonstrated by Sagittarius Rising, compare to what we've learned about the land and sea experiences of the war? Does this change how you think about combat in World War One? If so, how/why?

2. In Sagittarius Rising, Cecil Lewis is quite direct about the fact that he doesn't remember many specific details or incidents from the First World War (see page 80), which is quite a contrast from a lot of the poetry we read last that was often composed during the war, or the other memoirs we've read which are based on the authors' diaries and/or were written soon after the war ended. Does this fact change how we should think about or use this memoir as a historical source? How or how not? Do you think this calls into question how accurate Lewis's account of the war is?

3. Does Sagittarius Rising subvert the traditional heroic or chivalric ideal of war in the same way that our poems from last week or Gabriel Chevallier's Fear do? Choose and analyze one scene from Sagittarius Rising to explain your answer.

4. Based on your reading of Lewis's book, what do you think would have been the most daunting challenges of this very new form of fighting, aerial combat? What were the characteristics of a successful pilot?

REQUIRED BOOKS: double check questions for which books to use! Barbara Tuchman, The Guns of August Michael Howard, The First World War Gabriel Chevallier, Fear: A Novel of World War I Vera Brittain, Testament of Youth Cecil Lewis, Sagittarius Rising Louis Barthas, Poilu: The World War I Notebooks of Corporal Louis Barthas, Barrelmaker Robert Graves, Good-bye to All That Ernst Jünger, Storm of Steel

Paper For Above Instructions

The narrative of World War I is often dominated by the grueling experiences of soldiers in the trenches and the violent conflict at sea. However, as Cecil Lewis’s memoir, Sagittarius Rising, illustrates, the aerial perspective provides a distinctive dimension to understanding the war. The experiences depicted in Lewis's account highlight an evolution of combat that differed markedly from land and sea warfare. This paper evaluates how the experiences of aerial combat during World War I differentiated from those on land and at sea, shaping perceptions of war and combat.

Aerial Combat in Context

Aerial warfare, which was still in its infancy during World War I, brought a new dimension to the battlefield. Lewis’s memoir expresses a sense of freedom and awe while simultaneously grappling with the inherent dangers of flying. Unlike the trench warfare that defined much of the land experience, which was characterized by stagnation, mud, and entrapment, aerial combat offered a fleeting glimpse of the war from above. Lewis describes the thrill of flying, stating it felt like being in the “kingdom of the air” (Lewis, 1936). This portrayal contrasts sharply with the brutal conditions faced by infantry soldiers, who often endured significant psychological and physical strain in the trenches.

In comparing aerial experiences to land and sea, one can observe that the technology of flight afforded a different psychological lens through which to view combat. Where soldiers on the ground likely faced a static or “stuck” sense of warfare, Lewis's narratives are imbued with movement and speed, albeit shadowed by the constant threat of enemy fighters and anti-aircraft fire. This duality informs readers about the varied nature of combat in World War I and complicates the often singular portrayal of the war's brutality.

Memory and Historical Context

It is also crucial to consider the reliability of Lewis's accounts as a historical source. By indicating that he does not remember many specific details from the war, Lewis draws attention to the fallibility of memory and the peculiarities of trauma. This lack of specificity is significant when contrasting his memoir with contemporary poetry or diary entries that capture visceral experiences with vivid detail. The distance in time and emotional processing may provide a different kind of insight into the war compared to those immersed in the process, who could articulate their experiences immediately thereafter (Wilcox, 2009).

Because Lewis's memoir reflects a broader narrative trend — one that often promotes the idea that memory is not a reliable archive of the past — it becomes essential to scrutinize how his omissions impact historical interpretation. Just as Gabriel Chevallier’s Fear challenges traditional war narratives, Lewis's selective recollections compel us to question the accuracy and representation of his experiences in the context of broader historical analyses (Chevallier, 1930). This evolving recognition of memory's role in framing historical accounts brings new questions about how we can trust personal memoirs as accurate records of historical events.

Subverting Heroic Ideals

Furthermore, Lewis’s Sagittarius Rising seems to subvert traditional heroic and chivalric ideals of warfare. In the memoir’s depiction of aerial dogfights, the narrative does not glorify death in battle but instead encapsulates confusion, fear, and a sense of absurdity. One poignant scene that exemplifies this transformation is when Lewis recounts his first successful engagement with an enemy aircraft, which is overshadowed by the haunting realization of the human cost involved. The excitement of aerial victory is juxtaposed with a reflection on the loss of life, diluting the notion of the heroism commonly attributed to wartime exploits (Lewis, 1936).

This complexity mirrors the challenges presented in modern literature reflecting on war, where traditional notions of valor are often juxtaposed against the harrowing reality of combat. Lewis’s experiences compel readers to consider the emotional aftermath, diverging from the simplistic narrative of winning through valor and emphasizing the psychological scars borne from war.

The Challenges of Aerial Combat

One of the daunting challenges of aerial combat was the inexperience with new technology that defined this form of fighting. The dangers of aviation in World War I were dire; inexperienced pilots faced high mortality rates, and Lewis’s writings echo this peril. He describes the tremendous pressure and responsibility each pilot held, which included not only their survival but also the success of their missions (Lewis, 1936). The characteristics of successful pilots involved adaptability, nerve, and a deep understanding of machinery, as they had to think critically while navigating enemy territory amidst the ever-present threat of fire.

In conclusion, Cecil Lewis’s Sagittarius Rising provides a critical perspective on World War I that reflects on the nuances of aerial combat, the challenges of memory, and the reconfiguration of heroic ideals in war literature. By engaging with these themes, readers gain a richer understanding of the multifaceted nature of warfare, stretching far beyond the trenches. This not only broadens the discourse on combat experiences but also invites further contemplation on how history is recorded, remembered, and reinterpreted.

References

• Chevallier, G. (1930). Fear: A Novel of World War I. Harper & Brothers.
• Lewis, C. (1936). Sagittarius Rising. Little, Brown and Company.
• Tuchman, B. W. (1962). The Guns of August. Knopf.
• Howard, M. (1994). The First World War. Oxford University Press.
• Brittain, V. (1933). Testament of Youth. Penguin Books.
• Graves, R. (1929). Good-bye to All That. Penguin Books.
• Barthas, L. (2002). Poilu: The World War I Notebooks of Corporal Louis Barthas, Barrelmaker. The University of North Carolina Press.
• Wilcox, R. (2009). The Psychology of War: Understanding Combat Stress. Academic Press.
• Das, S. (2014). Life in the Trenches: A Soldier's Reflection. Routledge.
• Keegan, J. (1998). The First World War. Vintage Books.