Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
Manfred von Richthofen, the (in)famous 'Red Baron', remains indisputably one of the most famous fighter pilots of all time. He was the 'ace of aces' of World War I, with a total of 80 confirmed kills. On 21 April 1918, a single .303 bullet ended his career and his life.
Even before he was buried with honours by the Allied troops, the question was asked: who killed the Red Baron? Was it the Canadian ace Arthur 'Roy' Brown in his Sopwith Camel? Or was his life ended by an anti-aircraft machine gunner on the ground? How could such an experienced and accomplished combat pilot, who would have been well aware of the dangers of ground fire, put himself in such a vulnerable position?
Manfred von Richthofen, the (in)famous 'Red Baron', remains indisputably one of the most famous fighter pilots of all time. He was the 'ace of aces' of World War I, with a total of 80 confirmed kills. On 21 April 1918, a single .303 bullet ended his career and his life.
Even before he was buried with honours by the Allied troops, the question was asked: who killed the Red Baron? Was it the Canadian ace Arthur 'Roy' Brown in his Sopwith Camel? Or was his life ended by an anti-aircraft machine gunner on the ground? How could such an experienced and accomplished combat pilot, who would have been well aware of the dangers of ground fire, put himself in such a vulnerable position?
