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Who Downed the Aces in Wwi?

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Fighter aces are one of the most fascinating elements of military aviation history. Books detailing their exploits continue to be best-sellers. In this 1996 Grub Street volume, noted author Norman Franks concentrates on just one aspect of WWI fighter ace history, unraveling how Allied and German aces died.

In some 200-odd pages, Franks details the deaths of over 300 British, French and German aces from 1915 to 1918. Death claimed those pilots in many ways. Some, like Oswald Boelcke, died in mid-air collisions; James McCudden and others died in 'operational accidents' when their aircraft faltered. Still others fell to ground fire (Frank Luke, Edward Mannock and Manfred von Richtofen). A few were lost in mano-a-mano fights, the classic example being Lanoe Hawker vs. Richtofen. Most however were lost in the swirling, multi-bogey dogfights that characterized WWI air combat. Due to the very nature of those fights, Franks can often only indicate which opposing pilots made claims and which may have been the victor over the ace downed.

In any case, WHO DOWNED THE ACES IN WWI? is a fascinating book, part military history, part detective story. Air combat enthusiasts will want to add it to their bookshelves. Highly recommended.