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Roy Brown and the Red Baron
Brown became famous when he was credited with shooting
down the legendary German ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen,
who was nicknamed the “Red Baron” because he painted his
plane red. The Red Baron shot down 80 Allied aircraft.
On April 21, 1918, Brown was in the air with his squadron.
Suddenly, he saw the Red Baron in a dogfight with Wilfrid
“Wop” May. May’s gun jammed, and he tried to flee — with
the Red Baron after him. Flying to May’s rescue, Brown got
behind the Red Baron and started firing. One of his shots
killed the German ace.
But was it really Roy Brown who killed the Red Baron The
planes were flying low, and Australian machine-gunners on the
ground were also shooting at von Richthofen. Some historians
claim that the fatal shot came from an Australian machine gun.
No matter who fired the shot, the downing of Germany’s
most feared pilot inspired the Allies at a critical time. The
exploits of Canadian aviators helped boost morale — and prove
that airplanes could make an important military contribution.
Figure 1.8 No photographs exist of the dogfight that killed the Red Baron. In
1960, artist J.D. Carrick painted this impression of what the battle might have
looked like. A nervous Wop May glances back as the Red Baron closes in. In the
rear, Roy Brown is flying to May’s rescue.
SHOW YOU KNOW
1. What nickname was given to the air force during World War I What
were airplanes nicknamed Why were these nicknames given
2. The pilots of World War I have been described as heroes. They
have also been described as brave victims. Think about the
differences between a hero and a brave victim. Which
description would you use Explain your choice.
Figure 1.9 For years, Snoopy, a cartoon character created by Charles M. Schulz,
entertained readers with his imaginary exploits as a World War I Allied air ace.
MHR
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