The bold exploits of the fighter pilots caught the attention of the public. Aerial duels fought by young men in the clear skies satisfied the heroic notion of warfare; something that the bloody trench fighting could no longer do. Each nation had its air heroes, although many of them had only short lives. Those who destroyed five enemy aircraft were referred to as ‘aces’. The greatest of these, of any side, was the German, Manfred von Richthofen, who shot down 80 opponents. The top British ‘ace’ was Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock.

Portrait of Baron Manfred von Richthofen, Jastas 2, 11 and JGI. A04803

Captain Rene Paul Fonck, Spa 103, Fench Air Service standing beside a Spad XIII aircraft. P04167.002

France’s was Rene Fonck, but he never achieved the popularity of their more flamboyant Georges Guynemer.

Portriat of Captain Georges Guynemer, Escadrille MS.3 and N.3, Spa 3, French Air Service. P00117.028

Australia had Robert Little who flew with Britain’s Royal Naval Air Service and achieved at least 47 victories.

Portrait of Captain R. A. Little, DSO*, DSC*, MID, French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star of Nos. 8 and 3 Naval Squadron and No. 203 Squadron RAF. A05200

The highest scoring pilot of the Australian Flying Corps was Harry Cobby who had 29.

Portrait of Captain (Capt) Arthur Henry Cobby DSO DFC, MID, of No. 4 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. A03697

By 1918, Richthofen, Mannock, Guynemer and Little had all been killed.

For more on the death of Manfred von Richthofen please see the post Who Killed the Red Baron?