Aerial Combat

On Thursday we studied the emergence of aerial warfare and its impact on WWI. First we looked at the physical structures of early WWI era planes.

After examination and discussion of the difficulties of keeping these early planes in the air, we added the issues with aerial combat. Everyone quickly picked up how difficult it would have been to fly these early planes and as well as acting as gunner. We looked at the progression of the technology and the advancement of the pilots skills.

After learning about the flying aces, we went outside to build a better appreciation of the skill it took to be a flying ace.

 Students were given 3 balloons to blow up and tie to a string. This string was placed around their right ankle.

 Each balloon represented one "life". Their job was to protect their balloons while simultaneously popping everyone elses balloon.

In just moments, everyone had figured out that focusing on either defense or offense was much easier than doing both at the same time. Students were credited for one "kill" if they popped someone elses balloon without getting one of their own popped. After ten minutes of squeels, bangs, and alliances forged and then broken, we had two people that still had baloons but no aces. Not one person had managed to earn five points.

 

A very tired class returned to the classroom for a wrap up discussion of flying aces and their skill and bravery. Of course we had to end the lesson with a little music.