If we are to believe popular culture – as represented through plays, novels, film, and television – there was little understanding in World War 1 about the cause of combat stress, which senior officers, more concerned with good order and discipline than with the welfare of their men, viewed as either the result of cowardice or examples of deliberate malingering. While medical knowledge about ‘Shell Shock’ was certainly in its infancy, the British Air Services had recognised even before the war that intensive flying was tiring and managed aviation personnel accordingly. Their policy for dealing with combat stress on the Western Front showed considerable compassion and understanding. Squadron commanders were encouraged to spot signs of fatigue and either rest personnel or return them to Home Establishment – in the knowledge that replacements would be rapidly provided. Indeed, a specialist aviation medical facility was set up in France to specifically manage flying-related illnesses. As a result, morale remained high across the frontline squadrons, even though casualties were heavy. Of course, the British approach was not perfect. There was still much that was unknown about the physiology of flying, and there were undoubtedly significant organisational weaknesses, including inadequate safety equipment, a lack of specialist medical officers and limited research into the causes of, and treatment for, combat stress.  Nevertheless, the British approach was considerably more enlightened than the traditional narrative portrays and goes some way to explain how they were able to sustain intensive air operations in the face of significant attrition.

Peter Dye is President of The Great War Aviation Society. He served in the Royal Air Force for over 35 years and was awarded the OBE for his work during the First Gulf War, retiring as an Air Vice-Marshal. He was Director General of the Royal Air Force Museum from 2008-2014. He has been an Honorary Research Fellow at Birmingham University, a Visiting Lecturer at Wolverhampton University, and a Verville Fellow at the National Air & Space Museum, Washington. His latest book, The Birth of British Airpower, Hugh Trenchard, World War 1, and the Royal Air Force, was published in October 2024.