April 21st, 1918 Red Baron Shot Down

Today is the day Snoopy dreamed about when the man known as the Red Baron, who shot down 80 allied planes (although it may have been closer to 100) was shot down in circumstances that probably will never truly be known.  In World War I the planes were relatively slow and they very rarely ventured deep into enemy lines so dogfights over the battlefield were common.  There are some who believe The Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, was shot down by ground fire, and others who believe he was shot in the air, but the single bullet put an end to the German Ace.  In honor of him we salute the Best Fighter Pilots of WWI were, as determined by their confirmed kills:

1. Manfred von Richthofen  80
2. Rene Fonck 75
3. Major Edward Mannock 73
4. Col. William A. Bishop 72
5. Major Raymond Collishaw 68
6. Oberl. Ernst Udet 62
7. Capt. James McCudden 58
8. Oberlt. Erich Löwenhardt 56
9. Capt. A. Beauchamp-Proctor    54
10. Capt. Donald McLaren 54

Top US Ace - Edward V. Rickenbacker  26

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