During WWI, the first pilots were seen as modern knight engaging in one-on-one fights in the clouds. Manfried von Richtofen was, and is still is, one of the greatest pilots in history. Tallying over 80 kills, he was the German Ace of Aces, to use the American term. He is credited with being the father of the modern fighter and interceptor tactics. Though the history books say that a Canadian pilot shot him down, it was an Australian AA gunner that killed him. He was one of the only known German pilots buried by the British, French, and Australians with full military honors. The pity is that his plane was ripped apart for souvenirs. It would have made an incredible museum piece.