Francesco Baracca

Count Francesco Baracca was Italys top fighter ace of World War I. He was credited withaerial victories.

Baracca was born in Lugo di Romagna. He was the son of a wealthy landowner. The younger Baracca initially studied at a private school in Florence before entering the Military Academy of Modena in October 1907. As he had become a passionate equestrian as an antidote to classroom boredom, he became a cavalryman with the prestigious Piemonte Reale Cavalleria Regiment upon his commissioning in 1910. His first duty station allowed him to attend concerts and opera in Rome, as well as pursuing hunting and equestrian competitions he gained some fame in the latter. This little idyll was spoiled by orders to a small town in central Italy. Baracca then became interested in aviation and learned to fly at Reims, France, receiving his pilots license onJuly 1912. He then served with the Battaglione Aviatori and in 1914 with the 5th and 6th Squadriglie.

Source: Wikipedia