The Red Baron vs. Arthur Brown, April 21st 1918 2 Piece Set Description: Captain Arthur Roy Brown was the Canadian World War I Flying Ace who was officially credited by the RAF with bringing down Germany’s most successful Ace, the infamous ‘Red Baron’,Manfred von Richthofen. On the morning of April 21st, 1918 Brown’s 209 Squadron Sopwith Camels were set upon by von Richthofen’s infamous ‘Flying Circus’. At some point during the ensuing dog-fight Brown’s high-school friend, Wop May, broke away from the battle but was spotted and pursued by von Richthofen. Brown saw his friend in trouble and in turn took pursuit of von Richthofen. Soon all 3 aircraft were snaking around at tree-top height. What actually happened next has remained controversial to this day. Both Brown and ground based anti-aircraft gunners sent long bursts of fire at von Richthofen and he eventually crashed only a few hundred yards from the front line. Although Brown was accredited with bringing down the ‘Red Baron’ it is now largely believed that he was actually shot by an Australian gunner on the ground, probably Sergeant Cedric Popkin of the Australian 24th Machine Gun Company.
