June 19, 1918
Air War:
1455 Australian AFC pilot Elwyn King, flying Sopwith Camel D1895, destroys a German observation balloon for victory number 2.
1815 Italian 34-victory ace Francesco Baracca and rookie pilot Franco Osnago take of on a ground-strafing mission. After the two become separated Osnago flies back to their base to find that Baracca has not returned. Four days later, on June 23rd, Baracca's body is found still in the cockpit of his wrecked SPAD XIII. His pistol is in his hand, indicating that he may have taken his own life rather than burn to death in a flaming plane. As usual his death is surrounded by controversy. The obvious conclusion is that he was shot down by ground fire. Did he shoot himself rather than burn or be captured? Did he attempt to shoot it out with Austrian troops? There is also a report filed by Zgst Max Kauer and Ltn Arnold Barwig in Phönix C.I 121.17, saying they were attacked by a SPAD and shot it down. After the war Baracca's mother presented a copy of his personal insignia, a black prancing horse, to family friend Enzo Ferrari, who would start using on his cars in 1923.
1900 German pilot Max Mertens, in a Pfalz D.IIIa, destroys an observation balloon for victory number 3.
1930 Scottish RAF observer James Grant, in DH.4 A7821 with Lt J.T. Kirkland as pilot, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 3.
2000 English RAF observer William Dyke, in DH.4 A8010 with 2nd Lt A. Pickin as pilot, shoots down a Pfalz D.III for victory number 4.
2020 English RAF ace pilot John Gurdon and observer James Scaramanga, flying Bristol F.2b C989, are credited with two Fokker D.VIIs. Victories 13 and 14 for Gurdon; 3 and 4 for Scaramanga.
2025 German ace Josef Jacobs, in a Fokker Dr.I, shoots down an RE.8 for victory number 21.
Max Mertens is shot down and killed attacing a second Allied balloon.
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“Never do anything you can't take back.”
—Rocky Russo
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