Quantcast

World War II's top five fighting aces and their legendary feats

Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Ryanair forecasts fare rebound as consumers recover from interest-rate hit
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
Qatar Airways places record $96 billion Boeing order amid Trump visit
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
World War II's top five fighting aces and their legendary feats
Policy
Webp d3kueeshm49t6gt53ij8ni5kbj8k
James Pearson Route Development Journalist | Simple Flying

Erich Alfred Hartmann downed 352 Allied aircraft in 825 combat occasions. Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub became the highest-scoring Soviet pilot during World War II. Marmaduke Thomas St John Pattle shot down 20 aircraft in March 1941. Fighting aces in World War II were based on the number of kills, downed aircraft, and overall victories that individuals claimed. While the exact criteria of an ace vary by region, it is given to individuals who have shot down five or more aircraft during World War II operations. This article captures the top five fighter aces of World War II.

Erich Alfred Hartmann

Erich Alfred Hartmann was a German fighter pilot during the Second World War who was designated as the most successful fighter ace in aerial warfare history. He participated in 825 separate combat occasions and flew over 1,400 combat missions, primarily using a Messerschmitt Bf 109G aircraft.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The pilot initially began his service on Junkers Ju 87 Stukas with the Luftwaffe. While the criteria for fighter ace accreditation with German forces are unclear, Hartmann was credited with shooting down 352 Allied aircraft, including seven American aircraft and 345 Soviet planes. Hartmann’s first kill was within months of service when he downed an Illyushin II-2 with his Bf 109 G-2.

Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub

Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub, a Soviet Union fighter, is ranked as the highest-scoring Soviet pilot who achieved victories over numerous aircraft during World War II. He became the first Soviet pilot to shoot down a Messerschmitt Me 262 jet, which only a few other pilots managed to claim after him.

Kozhedub was named the Hero of the Soviet Union on three occasions during World War II: February 1944, August 1944, and August 1945. He served in the military even after the end of the Second World War and commanded the 324th Fighter Aviation Division during the Korean War.

Marmaduke Thomas St John Pattle

Marmaduke Thomas St John (Pat) Pattle was a South African-born English fighter pilot and flying ace during the Second World War. The Squadron Leader mostly flew Hawker Hurricanes, claiming most of his victories. In March 1941, among many aircraft that were downed by the Royal Air Force (RAF), Pat Pattle claimed 20 of those.

He shot down five or more aircraft in a single day on three different occasions, qualifying for the “Ace in a Day” title multiple times. The pilot’s greatest success was achieved on April 19, 1941, when he claimed six victories.

The following day, on April 20, having claimed more victories than any other Western Allied pilot, Pattle engaged German fighters without orders. He was killed during a dogfight with a Messerschmitt Bf 110 when his Hawker Hurricane crashed into the sea.

Richard “Dick” Ira Bong

Richard Bong was one of World War II's most celebrated American fighter pilots. The United States Army Air Force (USAAF) major received the Medal of Honor in WWII. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning pilot was credited with shooting down at least 40 Japanese aircraft.

With his command of the P-38, he was assigned to become a test pilot on the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter. Bong performed several test flights of the P-80 aircraft for over four hours on this new jet. On August 6, 1945, at age 24, Bong was killed during a P-80 acceptance flight. Bong was posthumously inducted into the National Hall of Fame in 1986.

Tetsuzō Iwamoto

Iwamoto Tetsuzō was an Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) fighter pilot remembered as one of Japan's top-scoring aces in its Imperial Navy. Beginning his combat service in China in 1938, he emerged as one of Japan's top aces during WWII.

Nicknamed Tiger Tetsu, he was credited with over 80 aerial victories—14 from China alone—while flying Mitsubishi A6M “Zero,” a carrier-based fighter aircraft known as Zero Fighter Ace. Iwamoto’s planes bore special cherry blossom flower markings: single flowers depicted shot-down enemy fighters while double flowers depicted bombers.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Chase has entered the premium business credit card market with the introduction of the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business.

Jun 23, 2025

Spanish airline Iberia is planning a significant expansion in the Americas, aiming to enhance its presence by adding more aircraft and routes.

Jun 23, 2025

The Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card has launched a new offer featuring its highest-ever welcome bonus, coinciding with a significant update to the card's benefits.

Jun 23, 2025

Airlines for America has urged Congress to swiftly pass legislation aimed at modernizing the U.S. air traffic control system.

Jun 23, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced on X that it is hiring CDL Class B drivers in Inglewood, California, with a starting wage of $23.45 per hour.

Jun 23, 2025

Flying Food Group has announced via X that it is inviting candidates to apply for various open positions across its teams.

Jun 23, 2025