A
WWI Ace, Willy Coppens was a
Belgian who became known as the "Balloon Buster". He is officially credited with shooting down 35 enemy
observation balloons, more than any other
allied forces pilot.
A famous incident involved one balloon that shot higher up into the air while under attack in an attempt to avoid his fire. He wound up landing on it. Turning his engine off to keep the propeller from fouling, he slid off, restarted his engine, and destroyed the ballon.
"You must take the war to the enemy. You must attack and go on attacking all the time." -Willy Coppens