THE MAN WHO WOULDN'T DIE

 Maj. W. G. Barker, VC, DSO, MC.

(Thumbnail will enlarge when clicked upon. To return to the page  you are viewing then click on your browser's "Back" button).

It was October 27 1918. The man World War 1 ace Billy Bishop called "the greatest fighter pilot the world has ever known" - Bill Barker - took part in the most epic dogfight in the history of aerial warfare. Barker, who earned his fame on the Italian front, was on his way to England in a badly crippled Sopwith Snipe when he found himself amidst 60 Fokkers! Badly wounded he still shot down four Fokkers and escaped to British lines. He was credited with 50 victories in WW 1. A simple engine failure caused his death in a plane crash in 1932.

"The Man who wouldn't Die" is from the "Heritage of the Air Collection" by Merv Corning, used with permission of Leach International Corporation, Buena Park, CA. In no event may these pictures be reproduced or used for commercial purposes.

Please follow the 1918 to 1939 Part 1 link: