Knights of the Sky

“The Battle of Cambrai, which took place in France in March, 1918, represented a major German offensive during World War I. The German aircraft in this painting are on patrol, furnishing air cover for German movements on the battlefield below. The German circus is led by Richthofen - the famous ‘Red Baron.’ ‘Circus’ was a term the British used for German aircraft, its use growing from the fact that the German planes - in this case, Fokker D.VII’s -were quite gaily painted compared to the drab camouflage colors on British planes. The Richthofen circus is engaged here by Sopwith Camels from No. 3 and No. 10 Squadrons. The German Fokkers and the British Camels were fairly evenly matched; the German plane was faster but the Camel more maneuverable. The action would have started out at about 20,000 feet and been fought down to 12,000 feet.”