Flying aircraft in World War I was a perilous occupation, and many airmen lost their lives even before seeing combat. In this roundup of the 10 beloved forgotten Allied aces, we celebrate those celebrated celebrities of the skies who captured the public’s imagination yet remain largely absent from modern histories.
Why These 10 Beloved Forgotten Heroes Still Matter
Beyond the well‑known names like the Red Baron, a host of daring pilots earned fame, medals, and adoration during the Great War. Their stories of bravery, tragedy, and occasional controversy deserve a fresh look, especially as we commemorate the centenary of a conflict that reshaped aviation forever.
10 Albert Ball
Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the Red Baron, once called Albert Ball “by far the best English flying man.” Born in Nottingham on 14 August 1896, Ball enlisted with the Notts and Derby Regiment at the outbreak of war and quickly rose to lieutenant. He first pursued private flying lessons before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, earning his pilot’s wings in January 1916 and soon after taking on reconnaissance duties with several squadrons.
The young ace notched his inaugural kill—a German reconnaissance pilot—in May 1916, and within weeks he was racking up as many as three victories a day. By his 20th birthday in August 1916, Ball had already been promoted to acting captain and had claimed 17 enemy aircraft. The British press turned him into a household name, and crowds in Nottingham would mob him whenever he returned on leave.
In a heartfelt letter to his parents, Ball confessed that seeing an enemy plane go down was his saddest moment, yet he believed it was a matter of “his life or theirs.” On 26 September 1916 he was awarded both the Distinguished Service Order and a bar on the same day. By the following year he had amassed 44 confirmed victories and another 25 unconfirmed claims. In his final correspondence, dated 6 May 1917, Ball admitted he felt increasingly like a murderer and hoped the war would end soon, weary of endless killing.
The day after that poignant letter, Ball entered a fierce dogfight over Douai, France, where he faced the Red Baron’s brother, Lothar von Richthofen. Ball managed to puncture Lothar’s fuel tank, forcing a crash‑landing, but a German pilot then shot down Ball’s aircraft, claiming his life. Though von Richthofen was credited, the exact shooter remains uncertain. Ball’s reputation as a “lone wolf” endured; he famously tackled as many as six enemy aircraft solo, stalking them from below before delivering the fatal blow. Posthumously, he was honoured with the Victoria Cross, France’s Legion of Honour, and Russia’s Order of St. George (4th class).
9 Georges Guynemer
When Georges Guynemer first tried to enlist in 1914, French physicians dismissed him as too frail to serve. Leveraging his father’s influence, he secured a position as an aviation mechanic, and by March 1915 he entered pilot training, earning his wings just a month later. His first combat triumph arrived on 19 July 1915, when he and his gunner downed a German Aviatik, shortly thereafter joining the elite Storks squadron.
Guynemer’s wartime résumé reads like an action film: over 600 aerial engagements, seven shoot‑downs where he survived, and a flood of letters from adoring fans—mostly schoolgirls proposing marriage and youngsters begging for autographs. Flying his beloved SPAD VII, nicknamed “Old Charles,” he could dispatch up to four enemy aircraft in a single day. He later modified the aircraft, installing a single‑shot 37 mm cannon that fired through a hollowed‑out propeller shaft, christening the upgraded machine “Magic Machine,” with which he added two more victories.
The final chapter of Guynemer’s story unfolded on 11 September 1917, when he was seen attacking an Aviatik near Poelcapelle, northwest of Ypres. A week later, a London newspaper reported him missing in action, while a German publication claimed that Kurt Wissemann of Jasta 3 had shot him down. His body was never recovered, and for months the French public refused to accept his death. Nonetheless, his official tally stood at 54 confirmed kills, cementing his status as France’s Ace of Aces.
8 Eddie Rickenbacker
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker entered the world on 8 October 1890 in Columbus, Ohio, and by the time the United States joined the war in 1917, he was a celebrated race‑car driver earning roughly $40,000 annually. Despite being 27—beyond the age limit for pilot training—Rickenbacker’s reputation as a daring driver earned him a spot as a driver for Colonel William “Billy” Mitchell. He persistently begged Mitchell for a chance to fly, eventually falsifying his age to meet the 25‑year requirement.
After an intense 17‑day stint as a student pilot, Rickenbacker was commissioned a lieutenant and posted to the 94th Aero Squadron. The squadron’s members, many Ivy League graduates, initially looked down on him for lacking a college degree, but Rickenbacker’s grit quickly silenced the snobbery. He overcame a fear of flying and a distaste for aerobatics, crafting a unique combat style that emphasized closing in on foes before opening fire. His first triumph came on 29 April 1918, a shared victory with Captain James Norman Hall, followed by his inaugural solo kill eight days later.
Rickenbacker’s daring reached a crescendo when he engaged seven German aircraft, downing two before slipping away—a feat that earned him the French Croix de Guerre and the United States Medal of Honor. By war’s end, he was celebrated as America’s Ace of Aces with 26 victories. Though he never crashed during combat, he survived two post‑war crashes in 1941 and 1942; the latter left him and his companions adrift for over 20 days. He passed away at 83 in Zurich, Switzerland.
7 William Bishop
William Bishop was born on 8 February 1894 in Owen Sound, Ontario, and attended the Royal Military College, where he enlisted during his senior year as World War I erupted. His equestrian background earned him a posting with the Canadian Mounted Rifles in London in June 1915. A chance sighting of an aircraft in a nearby field that July sparked an obsession with flying, prompting his transfer to the British Royal Flying Corps in December 1915 and the acquisition of his pilot’s licence in 1917.
Bishop’s first dogfight victory came on 25 March 1917, when he shot down a German Albatross. Within the next two months, he added another 21 kills. His most celebrated feat occurred on 2 June 1917, when he single‑handedly assaulted a German aerodrome at Arras, an action that earned him the Victoria Cross. He also received the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross for earlier exploits.
In 1918 Bishop took command of No. 85 Squadron—nicknamed the “Flying Foxes”—and led them on the French front. By June 1918 he had accumulated over 70 victories, including an astonishing five German aircraft in just 12 minutes on 19 June, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war he toured giving speeches about his aerial adventures, and during World II he promoted the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Controversy later surrounded his Victoria Cross claim, with some historians questioning the veracity of the raid and noting missing wartime documents. Near the end of his life Bishop admitted that some of his stories were likely embellished, yet he remains recognized as one of the war’s premier aces. He died on 8 November 1956 in Florida.
6 Rene Fonck
Rene Fonck, born 27 March 1894 in France, entered the French army in 1914 and began flight training the following year. He earned his first aerial victory on 6 August 1916, downing an enemy aircraft over the Western Front. Though not a flamboyant flyer, Fonck proved to be an exceptionally efficient shooter, famed for his disciplined ammunition use and his reluctance to gamble recklessly.
One of his most memorable exploits unfolded on 9 May 1918, when he shot down six German aircraft over Montdidier—a feat he would repeat later. By war’s end Fonck had amassed 75 confirmed kills, just five shy of the Red Baron’s record, making him the most successful surviving Allied fighter pilot. He claimed even more victories—over 50—beyond official tallies, underscoring his extraordinary skill.
Despite being France’s Ace of Aces, Fonck’s fame was eclipsed by Georges Guynemer’s legendary status. Unperturbed, Fonck boasted that his proudest moment was avenging Guynemer by defeating Captain Kurt Wissemann, the pilot credited with Guynemer’s death. After the war he worked as a racing and demonstration pilot, later serving as an inspector of fighter aviation for the French Air Force. He passed away in June 1953 at the age of 59.
5 James McCudden
James McCudden was born on 28 March 1895 into a British military family and followed his father’s footsteps by joining the Royal Engineers in 1910. After training as a mechanic, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1913. He earned his pilot’s wings in 1916 and was dispatched to France as a sergeant, scoring his first kill in September of that year.
McCudden quickly earned a reputation as a skilled tactician and a protective mentor to younger pilots. In 1917 he received both the Military Medal (as a non‑commissioned officer) and the Military Cross after his commission. His heroics peaked in December 1917 when he single‑handedly shot down two of eight enemy aircraft his patrol engaged, followed by another two the next morning. These daring actions formed the core of the citation for his Victoria Cross, awarded in April 1918.
Tragically, on 9 July 1918 McCudden’s aircraft suffered an engine failure, leading to a fatal crash. By that point he had accumulated 57 confirmed victories and a host of decorations, including the Distinguished Service Order and a bar to his Military Cross, cementing his legacy as one of the war’s most decorated combatants.
4 Andrew Beauchamp‑Proctor
Andrew Beauchamp‑Proctor entered the world on 4 September 1894 in South Africa’s Cape Province. While studying engineering at the University of Cape Town, World War I broke out, prompting him to abandon his studies and enlist. He first served as a signaler with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Rifles in South‑West Africa before joining the Royal Flying Corps in March 1917.
Standing a modest 157 cm (5 ft 2 in), Proctor had to modify his seat to reach the controls of his aircraft. Assigned to 84 Squadron in July 1917, his early career was rocky—he crash‑landed three times before finally securing his first kill on 3 January 1918, downing a German two‑seat. By May 1918 he had amassed 21 victories, including a spectacular day on 19 May when he shot down five enemy aircraft.
Proctor soon shifted his focus to balloon busting, a perilous task that involved attacking heavily defended observation balloons. He achieved a record nine balloon kills in a single day on 9 August 1918, solidifying his reputation as the RFC’s premier balloon buster. By war’s end he had tallied 54 confirmed victories—38 aircraft and 16 balloons—making him South Africa’s highest‑scoring ace. His decorations included the Military Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Victoria Cross.
Tragically, on 21 June 1921, while preparing for an air show at RAF Hendon, Proctor’s aircraft crashed, killing him at just 26 years old. His body was returned to South Africa for a state funeral.
3 Robert A. Little
Robert Alexander Little was born on 19 July 1895 in Melbourne, Australia. After being turned away by the Point Cook Military Flying School, he eventually earned his flying certificate and joined the Royal Naval Air Service in England in 1915. By June 1916 he was posted to Dunkirk, and in October that year he became a member of the 8th Naval Squadron, flying the nimble Sopwith Pup.
Little’s first aerial victory arrived on 1 November 1916, and he added two more by year‑end. March 1917 saw him down nine enemy aircraft, earning a promotion to flight lieutenant the following month. The squadron later upgraded to Sopwith Triplanes and subsequently to Sopwith Camels. Nicknamed “Rikki” after the mongoose in Rudyard Kipling’s tales, Little amassed 37 victories by August 1917, garnering the Distinguished Service Cross with a bar, the French Croix de Guerre, and the Distinguished Service Order (with a bar added in September 1917). He became flight commander in January 1918.
Although a superb shooter, Little was a notoriously poor pilot, often crash‑landing his aircraft. In March 1918 he transferred to 203 Squadron, but his career was cut short on 21 May 1918 when he was mortally wounded in the groin while attempting to intercept a formation of German bombers. He died with an official tally of 47 victories, making him Australia’s top‑scoring ace of the war.
2 Raymond Collishaw
Raymond Collishaw was born in 1893 in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and entered the Royal Naval Air Service as a probationary flight sub‑lieutenant in January 1916. He secured his first victory in October of that year, downing future German ace Ludwig Hanstein.
One of Collishaw’s most harrowing experiences occurred late in 1916 when six German aircraft attacked him. Bullets ripped through his instrument panel and shattered his goggles, leaving him partially blind. Despite the chaos, he managed to evade the first attacker, which crashed into trees, and then shot down the second. Barely able to see and without instruments, he crash‑landed in a field, only to discover he was in enemy territory. Undeterred, he promptly took off again and later touched down in a French field near Verdun, an act that earned him the Croix de Guerre.
Promoted to flight commander with the 10th Naval Squadron in 1917, Collishaw led the famed “Black Flight,” a group of five Canadian pilots who painted their Sopwith Triplanes black and became notorious on the Ypres front. The squadron repeatedly challenged the Richthofen Circus, even engaging the Red Baron’s unit on occasion. After the Black Flight disbanded in July 1917, Collishaw’s tally stood at 37 victories. He later commanded the 13th Naval Squadron and the 203 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, finishing the war with 62 victories—only Billy Bishop and Edward Mannock eclipsed his total. Unlike many peers, Collishaw stayed in the RAF after the war, leading British forces against the Bolsheviks in Russia and commanding Allied air forces in North Africa during World II. Though twice nominated for the Victoria Cross, he never received it. He passed away in 1976 at age 82, and in 1999 Nanaimo’s airport terminal was named in his honour.
1 Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock
When World War I erupted in 1914, 27‑year‑old Edward “Mick” Mannock was employed by a telephone company in Turkey. After Turkey entered the war on Germany’s side, Mannock and his colleagues were imprisoned, and following a failed escape attempt he endured solitary confinement, which gradually eroded his health. The American consulate managed to secure his release in April 1915, and he returned to Britain with a deep‑seated hatred for the Germans.
Back home, Mannock joined the Royal Army Medical Corps as a sergeant, tasked with treating enemy prisoners—a duty that conflicted with his bitter experiences in Turkey. Eventually he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, being posted to 40 Squadron at Treizennes in April 1917. Initially regarded as a coward and a know‑it‑all by his peers, his reputation shifted dramatically as he began shooting down German aircraft.
Despite his animosity toward the enemy, Mannock occasionally displayed unexpected compassion. On one occasion he examined the wreckage of a German plane he had downed, feeling like a murderer. Such moments took a psychological toll; he was observed trembling and even weeping during leaves. Nonetheless, he pressed on, and within a year of his first kill he amassed 73 victories, becoming Britain’s most successful pilot. He earned the Military Cross (with a bar), the Distinguished Service Order (with two bars), and numerous other decorations.
On 26 July 1918 Mannock achieved his final victory but, in a fatal miscalculation, descended too low to observe the downed aircraft. German ground fire struck his plane, and he crashed. Earlier he had confided that his greatest fear was to burn to death in a fireball without a parachute, so he kept a revolver in his cockpit. Whether he used it in his final moments remains unknown. His death cemented his place as the most decorated and highest‑scoring British fighter pilot of the war.