British Captain pilot Albert Ball posing for a photograph with a German propeller following his 43rd aerial victory, ca. May 5, 1917.


British Captain pilot Albert Ball posing for a photograph with a German propeller following his 43rd aerial victory, ca. May 5, 1917.

Colourised by 'Photos Redux' on Facebook.
On May 7, 1917, the British flying ace Captain Albert Ball VC was killed in action near Douai on the Western Front - Britain's 4th deadliest pilot of the First World War.
In August 1914, Albert Ball enlisted in the British Army at the age of 18. Ball already had military experience, having served in the Officers' Training Corps, and was therefore appointed to train new recruits instead of serving in France. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant by October 29, 1914.

Ball was  not content with his role on the home front. Seeking more action, he eventually took up private flying lessons in June 1915. Although his flying instructors deemed him an average pilot, Ball found flying thrilling and requested a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps. 

His request was granted, and by February 18, 1916 he was in France with the XIII Squadron RFC.
Ball scored his first aerial victory on May 16, 1916 as he downed a German plane near Givenchy-Beaumont. By September 30, 1916, flying over the Somme, Ball had scored another 30 kills, quickly becoming a household name in Britain.

On October 3, 1916, he was sent home on leave, returning to Britain a national hero, and awarded the Distinguished Service Order three times, as well as the Russian Order of St. George.

Ball returned to France on April 7, 1917 and had by scored his 44th and final kill by May 6 during the Battle of Arras. On May 7, 1917, Ball encountered the Jasta 11 Squadron, led by none other than Manfred von Richthofen - the Red Baron. Ball was last seen pursuing the Red Baron's younger brother, Lothar von Richthofen, into a dark thundercloud.

Ball eventually came crashing down above German ground, with no bullet damage to his plane nor himself. He was killed in the crash, aged 20.

Albert Ball was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross and French Legion d'Honneur. At the time of his death he was Britain's leading flying ace, remaining in 4th place by the end of the war.

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