The legendary inspired other comics like Calvin and Hobbes. However, out of all of Snoopy's alter-egos, there's one that has stuck out in fans' minds as perhaps his most famous: the World War I Flying Ace.
First debuting in October 1965, Snoopy's World War I Flying Ace persona became a landmark creation that continued to make appearances throughout the franchise's run in comics. Snoopy would imagine his doghouse as a Sopwith Camel, the most common fighter plane used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the latter half of the first World War. As a fighter pilot, he had only one mission in mind: take down the Red Baron. As some people may know, Snoopy's rival the Red Baron was a real pilot named Manfred von Richthofen, who defended the skies for the German army during World War I. However, what fans may not realize is that Snoopy's World War I Flying Ace appears to be loosely based on the last pilot the Baron ever pursued before being brought down.
The Red Baron Had a Rivalry Just Like His Grudge With Snoopy
Wilfrid Reid "Wop" May was a Canadian pilot for the RAF who is best known for being the final Allied fighter that the Red Baron tried to bring down. Similar to Snoopy, he flew a Sopwith Camel during his time in the war. However, what's interesting is where the Baron and May engaged in combat. Their legendary final battle took place over the Somme River near Verdun, , which is where Snoopy is commonly shown fighting the Baron as the World War I Flying Ace. In fact, after he is shot down by the Red Baron during one storyline, he chronicles his journey across the French countryside. It's a stunning detail that points to May being linked to Snoopy as an inspiration for his alter ego.
What ultimately points to the World War I Flying Ace being a loose connection to May was the reason he was being tailed by the Red Baron in the first place. On April 11th, 1918, May was actually not hunting after the Baron but rather another German fighter plane that was being piloted by the Baron's cousin, Wolfram von Richthofen. This act made things personal for the Baron, who fired on May to save his cousin's life. This would ultimately lead to his death as he followed May in an attempt to shoot him down before getting shot himself when he crossed over into Allied territory. The sheer notion that a rivalry was forged when May attempted to take down the Baron's cousin is an incredible connection to the World War I Flying Ace because the rivalry the two have feels very personal. If Snoopy was inspired by May in the Peanuts universe, this constant spat between the two would make sense because the Baron would have a grudge on him and want to ensure the World War I Flying Ace never flew again.
Of course, this is not to say that Snoopy was actually portraying May in the comics. Schulz likely left his identity purposely vague to keep the banter between Snoopy and the Baron tied to his comic world rather than reality. However, the similarities between Snoopy and the Red Baron's last flight are remarkably close and point to the legendary Peanuts character being loosely inspired by this moment in history.
