Who Is Your Favorite WWI Pilot?

**Coog** · 10-03-2010 11:36

Tell us who is your favorite WWI pilot and a little about him.

Mine is Elliott White Springs of the USAS. Although not as well known as Rickenbacker or Luke, he was quite a character and became well known at the time. He joined the US Army to become a pilot after the United States entered the war. He was one of a group of USAS pilots sent to get further training with the British and gain experience while the US was in the process of acquiring aircraft and training air and ground crews. Billy Bishop selected him to join No 85 Squadron where he scored four victories flying the SE5a. When the US formed the Sopwith Camel equipped 148th Aero, he was sent to join them as a flight leader. He scored an additional twelve victories, ten of them Fokker DVIIs, with the 148th. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Distinguished Service Cross.

I've done a repaint of an Ellwood Camel to represent his in the 148th Aero and am going to re-letter a Bishop SE5a to represent his while with No 85 Squadron.

**Von Rotherham** · 10-03-2010 13:49

Mine is Louis Strange, he was one of the first pilots to go across to France in 1914 in the fledgling RFC. At one point in 1915 he fell out of his aircraft after trying to change the drum on his Lewis gun. The plane flipped upside down but he managed to hang on, kick the stick so the plane flipped the right way up and fell back into the cockpit. He flew a Hurricane in WW2 and escaped an attack by some Bf-109s even though he'd never flown a Hurricane before...

**gregbond77** · 10-03-2010 16:17

Joseph Jacobs. Started in Eindeckers, flew to the end of the war(47 victories). Was the greatest exponent of the Triplane. Kept three until the end of the War(Jasta 7 had all black aircraft). Prefered it to the D-VII at low altitude. Of course his were equiped with 130hp Clergets. Told front line troops they would get a case of champagne for every Clerget they brought him, he was never short of engines after that. And yes I did a repaint of one of the Triplanes in all black.

**Hamburger** · 10-03-2010 17:46

I, am my own favorite pilot!

**LGKR** · 10-03-2010 18:42

Jan Olieslagers The "Antwerp Devil"
He was the first man to achieve a speed of 100 km/h on a motorcycle. Olieslagers fascination with racing motorcycles led to a world championship in 1902. As his interest shifted to aircraft, he purchased a plane in 1909 and within four years, he'd set seven world records. When the Germans invaded Belgium, he and his two brothers joined the army and donated their three Blériot XI monoplanes to the war effort. In his first aerial combat, Olieslagers attacked an enemy aircraft armed only with a pistol. Throughout the war, he seldom bothered to claim the enemy aircraft he destroyed. Despite a modest score of six confirmed victories, Olieslagers flew 491 sorties and engaged in 97 dogfights.

**Skullduggery** · 10-03-2010 21:54

Werner Voss. A gifted natural pilot who was killed in action at the age of 20.
Voss served an observer before he was
allowed to fly as a pilot. He was posted to Oswald Boelcke's Jasta 2,
where he flew as Richthofen's wingman. He scored his first victory at the age of 18 on November 27th, 1916. He was credited with 38
confirmed victories in his Albatross D.III scout aircraft
decorated with a swastika and heart motifs (for good luck). Voss was shot
down while flying his Fokker Triplane in an historic dogfight on
September 23rd, 1917 in which he single-handedly engaged as many as
eight SE5s flown by some of the Royal Flying Corps' top aces.

**csadn** · 10-03-2010 22:33

Georges Guynemer -- the anti-Rene Fonck....

**Guntruck** · 10-04-2010 01:19

I bet I can guess which one Kyte's going to come up with

My favourite is Raymond Collishaw - served in the RNAS in WW1 and RAF in WW2.

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 10-04-2010 01:22

Spot on Gunners.

Albert Ball. A Nottingham lad. My favourite because of his attack at all costs mentality, the fact that he mainly flew a Neiuport, which is my choice also. The method of dive under your opponent and fire the wing mounted gun upward into the underside of the enemy. V good for dealing with two seaters bye the way. All in all a good chap.
Rob.

**LGKR** · 10-04-2010 03:49

Originally Posted by Skullduggery

Werner Voss. A gifted natural pilot who was killed in action at the age of 20.
Voss served an observer before he was
allowed to fly as a pilot. He was posted to Oswald Boelcke's Jasta 2,
where he flew as Richthofen's wingman. He scored his first victory at the age of 18 on November 27th, 1916. He was credited with 38
confirmed victories in his Albatross D.III scout aircraft
decorated with a swastika and heart motifs (for good luck). Voss was shot
down while flying his Fokker Triplane in an historic dogfight on
September 23rd, 1917 in which he single-handedly engaged as many as
eight SE5s flown by some of the Royal Flying Corps' top aces.

My second favorite. In that historic last battle he put bullets into everyone of those SE5s and he had a massive hangover to boot.

**IRM** · 10-04-2010 05:37

Can't believe that anyone hasn't mentioned the Red Baron himself yet !:

"Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918), widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) during World War I. He is considered the ace-of-aces of that war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories, more than any other pilot.
Originally a cavalryman, Richthofen transferred to the Air Service in 1915; becoming one of the first members of Jasta 2 in 1916. He quickly distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, and during 1917 became leader of Jasta 11 and then the larger unit Jagdgeschwader 1 (better known as the "Flying Circus"). By 1918 he was regarded as a national hero.
Richthofen was shot down and killed near Amiens on 21 April 1918. There has been considerable discussion and debate regarding aspects of his career, especially the circumstances of his death.
He remains very possibly the most widely known fighter pilot of all, and has been the subject of many books and films."

“Everything depends on whether we have for opponents those French tricksters or those daring rascals, the English. I prefer the English. Frequently their daring can only be described as stupidity. In their eyes it may be pluck and daring."

“During my whole life I have not found a happier hunting ground than in the course of the Somme Battle. In the morning, as soon as I had got up, the first Englishmen arrived, and the last did not disappear until long after sunset. Boelcke once said that this was the El Dorado of the flying men."

**Goering Ace** · 10-04-2010 07:18

Originally Posted by Skullduggery

Werner Voss.
Voss was shot down while flying his Fokker Triplane in an historic dogfight on
September 23rd, 1917 in which he single-handedly engaged as many as
eight SE5s flown by some of the Royal Flying Corps' top aces.

I'm also a fan of Voss. That historic dogfight is represented in the "Dogfights" DVD (Season 2) from the history channel. However, in the DVD Voss engaged 6 SE5's, not 8. Regardless, ever since seeing that historic recreation I've had great admiration for his piloting skills and he's been one of my favorite WWI aces.

Note: I rechecked the DVD and Voss did indeed face 8 that day, although two of those he shot down before the other six SE5's attacked. So in the historic battle the odds were 6:1.

Scott

**LGKR** · 10-04-2010 09:31

Originally Posted by Goering Ace

I'm also a fan of Voss. That historic dogfight is represented in the "Dogfights" DVD (Season 2) from the history channel. However, in the DVD Voss engaged 6 SE5's, not 8. Regardless, ever since seeing that historic recreation I've had great admiration for his piloting skills and he's been one of my favorite WWI aces.

Note: I rechecked the DVD and Voss did indeed face 8 that day, although two of those he shot down before the other six SE5's attacked. So in the historic battle the odds were 6:1.

Scott

What, your not of fan Goering? He was such a nice guy.

**Goering Ace** · 10-04-2010 10:09

Originally Posted by LGKR

What, your not of fan Goering? He was such a nice guy.

LOL!! I know. I should have the name Voss ace instead! I chose Goering ace because 1.) Goering's Fokker D.VII was my first WOW mini and my first pilot to achieve ace status. 2.) I couldn't think of anything else at the time.

Foxley · 10-04-2010 15:01

For me, it's Mick Mannock. A ferocious airfighter and talented patrol leader who looked out for new pilots.

**tuladin** · 10-04-2010 16:29

I've been a fan of Eddie Rickenbacker since I first read about him back in the early 1970's. A pre-war race car driver, he was the U.S.'s top ace with 26 victories (including thirteen Fokker D.VIIs), and was awarded the Medal of Honor. After the war he was the head of Eastern Airlines, designed automobles, scripted a comic strip. owned the Indianapolis motor speedway, and survived two airplane crashes, the second of which left him stuck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in a liferaft for twenty-four days.

He achieved his successes through hard work, skill, and a whole lot of good old yankee luck.

**krolik** · 10-04-2010 19:45

Maj Rutherford D. Stanhope, RFC.

**Ed2** · 10-04-2010 21:41

#1 Manfred von Richthofen
#2 Snoopy
Many daring sorties, and great music by the Royal Guardsmen.
Try their "Snoopy vs the Red Baron" as background music for your next scenario.

**Skullduggery** · 10-05-2010 09:45

Originally Posted by tuladin

I've been a fan of Eddie Rickenbacker since I first read about him back in the early 1970's. A pre-war race car driver, he was the U.S.'s top ace with 26 victories (including thirteen Fokker D.VIIs), and was awarded the Medal of Honor. After the war he was the head of Eastern Airlines, designed automobles, scripted a comic strip. owned the Indianapolis motor speedway, and survived two airplane crashes, the second of which left him stuck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in a liferaft for twenty-four days.

He achieved his successes through hard work, skill, and a whole lot of good old yankee luck.

He is my #2 favorite.

**flash** · 10-06-2010 01:00

Can't pick a favourite - there are too many brave men but one of note would be Oswald Boelcke.
In 1915 he was the pilot who tested Fokkers synchronizing device installed on a Fokker Eindecker. As you all know it was a great success and he used the new invention to become the first German ace. Author of the "Dicta Boelcke," he developed rules for air combat, many of which are relevant today.
He died in 1916 while flying an infantry support mission - his Albatros D.II collided with that of Erwin Böhme. Böhme survived but Boelcke was killed.

Dicta Boelcke:
1. Always try to secure an advantageous position before attacking. Climb before and during the approach in order to surprise the enemy from above, and dive on him swiftly from the rear when the moment to attack is at hand.
2. Try to place yourself between the sun and the enemy. This puts the glare of the sun in the enemy's eyes and makes it difficult to see you and impossible for him to shoot with any accuracy.
3. Do not fire the machine guns until the enemy is within range and you have him squarely within your sights.
4. Attack when the enemy least expects it or when he is preoccupied with other duties such as observation, photography or bombing.
5. Never turn your back and try to run away from an enemy fighter. If you are surprised by an attack on your tail, turn and face the enemy with your guns.
6. Keep your eye on the enemy and do not let him deceive you with tricks. If your opponent appears damaged, follow him down until he crashes to be sure he is not faking.
7. Foolish acts of bravery only bring death. The Jasta must fight as a unit with close teamwork between all pilots. The signal of its leaders must be obeyed.

**chub** · 10-07-2010 10:54

There is an article in today's 7th sun about albert ball just to let you know

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 10-07-2010 11:22

Originally Posted by chub

There is an article in today's 7th sun about albert ball just to let you know

Thanks Stewart. I'll have a look at it.
Rob.

**rkhlegacy** · 10-07-2010 11:52

I would have to say Wilbert White Jr. of the USAS. White had 7 victories to his credit and a ticket home. Before departing, White flew one last patrol in his Spad XIII. While on patrol, White's flight encountered a group of Fokker D.VII's. White spotted a rookie pilot with a D.VII on his tail and moved in to rescue the young pilot. At some point White's guns jammed and without hesitation he rammed the Fokker to save his friend and in the process was killed. This would be his 8th and final victory. White was put in for the Medal of Honor but instead received and oak leaf cluster to his DSC, posthumously of course. White was the highest scoring ace in the 147th Aero Squadron. Though I can't fnd it now, I think I read somewhere that White was married and had a young daughter waiting at home.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13(NIV)

As aside note, the Fokker D.VII White rammed was piloted by Wilhelm Kohlbach of Germany. Kohlbach had 4 kills to his credit and was able to parachute to safety after White collided with him. Kohlbach was credited with his 5th kill of the war.

**bsmith13** · 10-08-2010 08:27

For me, it would be a toss up between Arthur Raymond Brooks and Gervais Raoul Lufbery.

I admire so many of the men who flew in WWI that it is difficult to choose favorites, but from the things I've read of these two, I think it would have been very easy for me to make friends with them personally.

**DaveZee** · 10-08-2010 09:24

I'm leaning toward Godwin Brumowski. I love flying his plane (as well as the Pfalz - same deck). He also seemed to be quite a character, who's flying style I embrace - my plane might be full of bullet holes, but I make it home to fly another day. Besides that, he flew with a monocle... classic!

**Tom Cundall** · 10-08-2010 09:43

"Can't pick a favourite - there are too many brave men..." I’m with Dave on that one.

However I do find myself becoming increasingly interested in the earlier types of aircraft and in particular the ‘pusher’ types so it’s probably no surprise that Lanoe Hawker VC DSO is on my list. Also, at the other end of the spectrum, Rene Fonck. Not a particularly likeable man by all accounts but a pilot who combined the science of air combat tactics and the art of aerial gunnery to particularly devastating effect.

**Maniac** · 10-08-2010 12:08

Mine is Frederick Libby. His book Horses Don't Fly is one of the best books I've ever read, let alone one about a pilot.

In many ways he almost represents the idealized American. Friendly, polite, generous to a fault (to the point of bankrupting himself several times), and game for anything. Growing up as a cowboy in Colorado he worked his way across much of the Western US before heading into Canada just before the war broke out. He joined the Canadian military as a truck driver although he'd never driven a truck in his life (and laughed at how comfy and wonderful army cots and chow was while his buddies complained endlessly). While in Europe he saw a flier to become a pilot and was selected to going join the the burgeoning RFC. He qualified as an observer and scored 10 confirmed kills as one in a FE 2b (no mean feat in that death trap). He again scored more upon obtaining his pilot's wings and flying both the 1/2 strutter and DH4. He transfered to the US Air Corps and was treated pretty horridly by the staff (although he was our most decorated pilot at the time).

He had a self depricating and easy wit, and just generally loved life and all of it adventures. He's the sort of guy you'd actually want to be friends with.

"What I am going to do, I don't know, but I want to be free to do it, if only selling pencils on the corner." - Libby

**Pope** · 10-09-2010 06:12

After looking up WW1 Welsh Fighter Aces mine has to be Ira Jones. I found the following on a BBC site and think it sums up how special the WW1 flyers were. I think its strange a man 37 victories, had such poor depth perception that he was in more danger trying to land his plane rather than in the dogfights.

'Wales' highest scoring ace of World War One was Ira "Taffy" Jones. He was born just outside St Clears in April 1896 and joined the RFC in June 1915, first as an observer/gunner and then as a pilot. After training he was posted to No 74 Squadron where he fought alongside the legendary Mick Mannock.

"Taffy" Jones scored 37 victories, six of them coming in an 11-day period in 1918, a feat that earned him the DFC. And yet, Jones was not a great pilot. He often crashed on landing, a problem caused by poor depth perception; he had been lucky even to pass the medical to get into the RFC.

Jones stayed on in what had now become the RAF once the war finished, retiring in 1936 after a career that had lasted 21 years - not bad when most of the men he had fought with had been killed long before. In 1939 Jones rejoined the RAF and flew again in World War Two, a truly indomitable and remarkable figure.

He was not just a fighter pilot. He wrote one of the great books about World War One flying, "King of the Air Fighter," the life of Mick Mannock. He unveiled the war memorial in the main street of St Clears and there is a tablet about this remarkable man alongside the memorial on that site. He died, after falling down the stairs at his home, on 20 August 1966, the last of the Welsh aces.'

**Flying Officer Kyte** · 10-09-2010 07:16

Very interesting Aled. A countryman to be proud of indeed. Thanks for that bit of enlightenment.
Rob.

**Gallo Rojo** · 10-09-2010 08:08

Josef Jacobs (Jasta 7)... I just like his black Triplane (lame reason

)

**Gauntlet** · 10-09-2010 16:22

I'ts Major James McCudden VC, DSO and bar, MC and bar, MM, for me.
I've recently read his book 'Flying Fury: Five Years in the Royal Flying Corps' and it showed what a likeable chap he was. The book has plenty of humour in it and it was a sobering thought as I read it that he was just 23 when he died. Two of his brothers also lost their lives in WW1.
He'd made it the hard way by starting as an mechanic and working his way up to Major. Unlike some of his contemporaries, most of his 'kills' can be verified so his 57 victory total is a fitting tribute to his skill as a pilot.

I'd thoroughly recommend his book. Here's the Amazon link:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flying-Fury-...6666193&sr=1-1

**Tom Cundall** · 10-10-2010 12:00

I'll second that Chris. I’ve just finished reading ‘Flying Fury’ myself and it is an excellent, must read book

**Attila57** · 10-10-2010 13:20

#1 Francesco Baracca
#2 Giovanni Ancilllotto
#2 Oswald Boelcke

**The Cowman** · 10-10-2010 20:33

Originally Posted by tuladin

I've been a fan of Eddie Rickenbacker since I first read about him back in the early 1970's. A pre-war race car driver, he was the U.S.'s top ace with 26 victories (including thirteen Fokker D.VIIs), and was awarded the Medal of Honor. After the war he was the head of Eastern Airlines, designed automobles, scripted a comic strip. owned the Indianapolis motor speedway, and survived two airplane crashes, the second of which left him stuck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in a liferaft for twenty-four days.

He achieved his successes through hard work, skill, and a whole lot of good old yankee luck.

I have to agree with tuladin:

Captain Rickenbacker was the man! Born in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, he is also the namesake of Rickenbacker Air National Guard base, just 25 miles from my current home. One of my favorite restaurants in Columbus is the 94th Aero Squadron, located just off of Port Columbus International Airport. I regret that I was never able to meet the man in my lifetime...

**Captain Chum** · 04-14-2014 09:53

Originally Posted by The Cowman

I have to agree with tuladin:

Captain Rickenbacker was the man! Born in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, he is also the namesake of Rickenbacker Air National Guard base, just 25 miles from my current home. One of my favorite restaurants in Columbus is the 94th Aero Squadron, located just off of Port Columbus International Airport. I regret that I was never able to meet the man in my lifetime...

Can't go wrong with Rickenbacker. For the Central Powers I lean towards Voss and Josef Jacobs.

**Boney10** · 04-14-2014 09:56

Entente for me is James McCudden

Central is Verner Voss

**MoonSylver** · 04-14-2014 11:03

So many to choose from, even if I limit it to one service...

MvR, Voss, Udet, Rudolph Berthold for the CP.

Jimmy McCudden, Ray Collishaw, Mick Mannock, Albert Ball for the RAF/RNAS.

Georges Guynemer & Charles Nungesser for France.

**john snelling** · 04-14-2014 17:11

Gottfried Freiherr von Banfield - the most successful Austro-Hungarian naval airplane fighter. After the First World War, the city of Trieste was annexed by Italy, and Freiherr von Banfield was for a time imprisoned by the occupation police. In 1920 he emigrated to England and became a British subject. He married the Contessa Maria Tripcovich of Trieste (d. 1976). They settled in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where their son Raphael Douglas, known to the world as the composer Raffaello de Banfield Tripcovich, was born in 1922. In 1926, Gottfried took Italian nationality and returned to Trieste to become Director of the Diodato Tripcovich and Co. Trieste Shipping-Company, which he took over from his father-in-law. Trieste Company ships then sailed under the Italian flag. Banfield became a celebrity of the city, usually called "Our Baron", Il nostro Barone, even winning a local tennis championship in 1927. Serving as the Honorary Consul of France at Trieste, he was decorated with the Legion d'Honneur in 1977. Freiherr von Banfield died in Trieste 23 September 1986, at the age of 96.

#2 Francesco Baracca for being a great pilot and refusing to use incendiary ammo.

**brucewallace** · 04-14-2014 17:55

James Norman Hall. He may not have been the finest pilot, but he wrote the book that captured my interest and turned me into a true World War I aviation fanatic, Falcons of France.

**STL06** · 04-14-2014 18:02

Mine would have to be Howard Clayton Knotts. Grew up in my hometown in southern central Illinois, and really has a pretty remarkable WWI story:

With the 17th Aero Squadron shot down six Fokker D.VIIs with his Sopwith Camel in less than a month. Later, was shot down by ground fire attempting to strafe a machine gun nest. He was wounded in the foot, but landed safely behind German lines. During his attempted capture, he shot it out with 4-5 German soldiers, finally being captured. During transport to the German prison camp, he set fire to a supply train, which destroyed several Fokker D.VIIs headed to the front. He escaped from the German prison camp initially, but was captured again, spending the rest of the war in occupation.

**Warhawk** · 04-14-2014 18:34

Very many to choose from but to represent Canada I would say Joseph S.T. Fall who won three DSC's and the AFC. As well as Billy Bishop for being the highest scoring British Empire ace. And then there's William Barker.
I'm really bad at this one pilot thing... That's just from one country.

**Chris Maes** · 04-15-2014 05:52

SNOOPY!

If you insist on "real" pilots, I'll go with Willy Coppens.

#2 Carl von Degelow

#3 Raoul Lufberry

#4 George Guynamer

Sorry, but I cannot find a British pilot that I really connect with. Same goes with the Italians or A-H (except possibly Frank Link-Crawford).

Chris Maes

**gully_raker** · 04-15-2014 16:31

Must have missed this when it first posted?

Anyway, my choices as follows.

British: James McCudden & "Mick" Mannock.

German: Ernst Udet & Werner Voss.

Australian. Stan Dallas & Alexander "Bob" Little.

**Manfred79** · 04-16-2014 07:29

#1 Manfred von Richthofen
#2 Ernst Udet
#3 Oswald Boelcke
#4 Max Immelmann
#5 Werner Voss

Yeah pretty straightforward I know...but I find them fascinating.

**Dom S** · 04-16-2014 07:47

I have to second the Louis Strange vote - a pioneer of the first years of the air war, a fine Wing Commander later in WWI, who introduced coordinated attacks by an entire wing (and lead them from the front - if anyone blunders across a photo of his 1918 Sopwith Camel I'll be a very happy man....), and still doing sterling service 20+ years later. A bit of an all-round legend to be honest, even if he wasn't a top ace.

**tusekine** · 04-16-2014 08:01

Originally Posted by john snelling

Gottfried Freiherr von Banfield -

Hurray for the Eagle of Trieste!

**tusekine** · 04-16-2014 08:05

Though I love both Brumowski and von Banfield, my favorite is Julius Arigi. He became the first "ace in a day" though later day research has indicated that maybe he did not shoot down all of the planes he claimed (there are reports of a second A-H plane intercepting the Italians as well and shooting down two of the planes). Maybe I like him better than Brumowski and Banfield because Arigi, like me, was an NCO, not an officer. Arigi also must have had a broad "independent" streak, as evidenced by the story below and the fact that he transferred out of Brumoswki's Flik 41J three days after he got there, apparently initiated by Brumowski. Arigi was the second-highest A-H ace after Brumowski.

Here is the story as included in "Air Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1914-18".

The day of August 22, 1916 became a remarkable one for Julius Arigi. Early that morning CO Cioll was notified that six Italian two-seater Farman biplanes of the 34 Squadriglia had departed Piskupi and appeared to be headed for an attach on the naval station at Durazzo, just north of Kavaja. Arigi requested permission to intercept the Italian flight. The request was denied since no officers were available to serve as observers. in the strictly-stratified [A-H air force] it was felt that the observer was the commander of the aircraft and could only be an officer. The task of the pilot was thought to be a menial one, akin to that of a chaffeur, and was relegated to non-commissioned personnel. The idea of two non-commissioned officers forming an entire crew of an aircraft was unthinkable. As the Italian force grew closer, Arigi repeated his request twice more, and was repeatedly denied in ever more violent terms. Finally, as the noise of the Italian aircraft engines was hear passing directly over the airfield, Arigi could contain himself no longer and race to Hansa-Brandenburg C.1 61.64 with Feldwebel (Sergeant Major) Johann Lasi and took off. Arigi controlled the aircraft's fixed forward-firing machine gun while Lasi manned the machine gun in the observer's cockpit. They quickly found the Italian flight and, in less than thirty minutes, shot down five of the six Farmans. Two of these crashed at the mouth of the Skumbi river and the other three crashed into the sea within two miles of land. All the crews were rescued by Italian motor-torpedo boats. by the time Arigi and Lasi landed at Kavaja, their victories had been reported by a multitude of ground observers, and a telegram was sent to [headquarters A-H air force] in Vienna. A telegram was rather quickly dispatched to Oberleutnant Cioll asking "Why was there no officer-observer in the victorious aircraft." Cioll ignored the telegram, as well as a second one that followed. Finally, in response to a third telegram, the somewhat sheepish reply was sent "All of our officers were indisposed at the time!"

Arigi flew in both WWI and WWII and died in the late 70s or early 80s, making him one of the few leading aces of WWI to survive both wars.

**Willi Von Klugermann** · 04-16-2014 08:25

Originally Posted by john snelling

Gottfried Freiherr von Banfield - the most successful Austro-Hungarian naval airplane fighter. After the First World War, the city of Trieste was annexed by Italy, and Freiherr von Banfield was for a time imprisoned by the occupation police. In 1920 he emigrated to England and became a British subject. He married the Contessa Maria Tripcovich of Trieste (d. 1976). They settled in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where their son Raphael Douglas, known to the world as the composer Raffaello de Banfield Tripcovich, was born in 1922. In 1926, Gottfried took Italian nationality and returned to Trieste to become Director of the Diodato Tripcovich and Co. Trieste Shipping-Company, which he took over from his father-in-law. Trieste Company ships then sailed under the Italian flag. Banfield became a celebrity of the city, usually called "Our Baron", Il nostro Barone, even winning a local tennis championship in 1927. Serving as the Honorary Consul of France at Trieste, he was decorated with the Legion d'Honneur in 1977. Freiherr von Banfield died in Trieste 23 September 1986, at the age of 96.

Great story John. My father was born in Trieste and I had the opportunity to spend a summer there in my youth. Was way too young to truly appreciate the city.

**john snelling** · 04-16-2014 09:45

Anthony, Arigi is probably 3 on my list. Great story of a very humble man. Later in life some of his own towns people did not know he was an ace.

**Nightbomber** · 04-16-2014 09:49

Originally Posted by Manfred79

#1 Manfred von Richthofen
#2 Ernst Udet
#3 Oswald Boelcke
#4 Max Immelmann
#5 Werner Voss

Yeah pretty straightforward I know...but I find them fascinating.

Nice list. I like them all. Especially the first three. All are Zodiac Taurus, just like me

Bulls have that something