For anyone with an interest in First World War aviation history, Billy Bishop’s story is legendary. Credited with 72 victories during the war, Bishop became one of Canada’s most celebrated soldiers. Yet one action stands above the rest. In the early morning of 2 June 1917, Bishop reportedly flew alone behind German lines to attack a German aerodrome near Cambrai. According to his account, he strafed enemy aircraft on the ground, engaged German troops, and returned safely despite damage to his aircraft. It was for this daring raid that he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the British Empire’s highest award for gallantry.
Our journey began at the former Filescamp aerodrome near Arras, one of the locations from which Bishop operated during the war. Today, little remains of the bustling wartime airfield. The open fields are quiet now, offering few visible traces of the intense aerial activity that once defined the landscape. Yet standing there, with wartime maps and photographs in hand, it was easy to imagine the fragile canvas-and-wood aircraft lifting off into uncertain skies.
For Catherine, this was not simply a historical visit. It was personal. Walking the same ground where her grandfather once prepared for dangerous missions created a powerful connection between family memory and history.
From Filescamp, we followed the route of Bishop’s famous raid, exploring possible locations linked to the action that earned his Victoria Cross. Historical debate continues regarding the exact German aerodrome attacked that morning. Together, we examined several plausible locations, including areas around Boistrancourt, Esnes, and Awoingt, all villages closely associated with research into Bishop’s VC action.
