17 Facts About Francesco Baracca

Francesco Baracca was the son of wealthy landowner Count Enrico Baracca and his wife Paolina.

The younger Baracca initially studied at a private school in Florence before entering the Military Academy of Modena in October 1907.

Francesco Baracca then became interested in aviation and learned to fly at Reims, France, receiving his pilot's license on 9 July 1912.

Francesco Baracca then served with the Battaglione Aviatori and in 1914 with the 5th and 6th Squadriglie.

Francesco Baracca remained aloofly neutral but ready to serve his nation.

Francesco Baracca's second victory was an Austrian Lohner over Gorizia on 23 April 1916.

On 1 January 1917 Francesco Baracca shot down an Austrian Brandenburg plane of Flik 12 near Castagnevizza flying on Ni 17 2614.

Francesco Baracca remained with the unit until, with 9 victories, he transferred to the newly formed 91st Squadriglia, known as the "Squadron of the Aces", on 1 May 1917.

Francesco Baracca was convinced that he had shot down his opponent, but Linke-Crawford was able to complete the mission despite 68 bullet holes found on the plane.

Francesco Baracca temporarily upgraded to a Spad XIII in October 1917, using it to achieve a couple of victories on 22 October, and on a win scored on a joint sortie with Pier Piccio on 25 October.

Francesco Baracca remained a modest, sensitive man conscious of his duty and compassionate to both his squadron comrades and to his defeated enemies.

Francesco Baracca would try to visit his victims in hospital afterwards, to pay his respects, or he would place a wreath on the grave of those he killed.

Francesco Baracca had raised his score to 30 by the end of 1917.

Francesco Baracca was personally decorated by King Victor Emmanuel III at La Scala at this time.

Francesco Baracca saw little action in 1918, but he added more victories, for a total of 34, before failing to return from a strafing mission on the Montello area on 19 June.

Francesco Baracca's pistol was out of its holster, but away from his body, leading to suspicions that he elected to take his own life rather than die in a crash or be taken prisoner.

In later years, Francesco Baracca's mother presented his prancing stallion emblem, the Cavallino Rampante, to Enzo Ferrari.