1917 in aviation

This is a list of aviation-related events from 1917:

[edit] Events

Known as Bloody April. The Royal Flying Corps, while supporting the Arras offensive, loses 245 aircraft -- 140 in the first two weeks -- out of an initial strength of 365. Aircrew casualties are 211 killed or missing and 108 prisoners of war.
April 6 - the United States declares war on Germany

May 7 - British ace Major Edward Mannock claims his first kill.
May 7 - British ace Captain Albert Ball (44 victories) is killed in a crash following a dogfight with Lothar von Richthofen, who also crashes but survives.
May 9 - French ace René Fonck shoots down six German aircraft in a day.
May 19 - United States "star in a circle" national insignia adopted Image:USAAC Roundel.svg
May 20 - German submarine U-36 is sunk by an RNAS flying boat
May 25 - a mass air-raid by 21 Gotha G.V bombers attacks Kent.

June 13 - 14 Gotha bombers make the most destructive air-raid on London of the war. Attacking in daylight, 162 people are killed and 432 wounded.

August 2 - A Sopwith Pup flown by Sqn Cdr Edwin Dunning becomes the first aircraft to land aboard a moving ship, HMS Furious.
August 7 - Dunning is killed on his third landing when the Pup falls over the side of the ship.

September 3 - The US 1st Aero Squadron arrives in France
September 11 - French ace Capitaine Georges Guynemer goes missing in action. Kurt Wisserman of Jasta 3 is credited with shooting him down, but his body is never found.
September 26 - for the second time, French ace René Fonck shoots down six German aircraft in a day.

November 20 - the Battle of Cambrai begins
November 21-24 - the Zeppelin L 59 (LZ104) makes a 6,757 km journey through Africa in 96 hours (average speed 71 km/h).