On This Day in 1918

On April 21, 1918, at the age of 25, Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen, also known as the "Red Baron" was killed by Allied fire from the ground, in the skies over Vauz sur Somme, France.

During a 19-month period between 1916 and 1918, at a time of wooden and fabric aircraft, he shot down 80 Allied aircraft, when 20 air victories ensured a pilot legendary status. He became the ace-of aces of World War I, also known for his scarlet-colored airplanes.