Events with tag - Fighter Pilot

October 5, 1914

First Aerial Victory in WWI

French pilots Sergeant Joseph Frantz and Corporal Louis Quénault achieved the first confirmed aerial victory in history by shooting down a German Aviatik B.I over Reims, France, marking the beginning of air-to-air combat.

September 1916

Boelcke's Dicta Creation

German flying ace Oswald Boelcke established revolutionary aerial combat rules known as Boelcke's Dicta, transforming individual air combat into organized tactical engagements during World War I.

April 2, 1918

Largest WWI Dogfight

The largest aerial battle of World War I took place on April 2, 1918, over Saint-Quentin, France, involving around 100 aircraft in a massive dogfight between German and Allied forces. The battle consisted of two major engagements resulting in 28 aircraft losses.

April 20, 1918

Red Baron's Last Victory

On April 20, 1918, Manfred von Richthofen, known as the Red Baron, achieved his 80th and final aerial victory by shooting down a British Sopwith Camel over Morlancourt Ridge, France. This marked his last triumph before his death the following day.

November 22, 1941

Adolf Galland becomes youngest German general

Adolf Galland was appointed as General der Jagdflieger (General of Fighters) in the Luftwaffe at age 29, making him the youngest general in the German armed forces during World War II. With 94 aerial victories and over 400 combat missions, his promotion marked a significant milestone in military history.

February 11, 1943

First Female Fighter Ace

Soviet pilot Lydia Litvyak made history by becoming the world's first female fighter ace during the defense of Stalingrad in World War II. Known as the 'White Rose of Stalingrad,' she achieved five confirmed aerial victories against Nazi aircraft.

July 6, 1943

Ivan Kozhedub's First Aerial Victory

Soviet fighter pilot Ivan Kozhedub achieved his first aerial victory during the Battle of Kursk, shooting down a Messerschmitt Bf 109. This marked the beginning of his legendary career that would lead to 62 confirmed aerial victories, making him the top Allied ace of World War II.

August 1, 1944

Erich Hartmann's Record-Breaking Achievement

Erich Hartmann, known as the 'Black Devil,' achieved the milestone of becoming history's highest-scoring fighter ace with 352 confirmed aerial victories while flying for the Luftwaffe during World War II on the Eastern Front.

September 27, 1944

RAF Ace Johnnie Johnson's Final Victory

Air Vice Marshal James 'Johnnie' Johnson, RAF's top-scoring Western Allied fighter ace of World War II, achieved his 38th and final aerial victory by shooting down a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 over Nijmegen, Netherlands, while leading the Canadian 144 Wing.

December 24, 1944

Major Preddy's Last Victories

Major George Preddy, America's top P-51 Mustang ace, achieved his final two aerial victories on Christmas Eve 1944, before tragically losing his life to friendly fire the next day. His total of 27 confirmed kills made him the highest-scoring P-51 Mustang pilot in the European Theater.

November 8, 1950

First MiG-15 vs F-86 Sabre Dogfight

The historic first encounter between Soviet MiG-15 and American F-86 Sabre occurred on November 8, 1950, marking the beginning of jet-versus-jet aerial combat. The battle took place over Sinuiju, North Korea, near the Yalu River, in an area that would later become known as 'MiG Alley'.