THE .303 BRITISH, BALLISTICS,
AND
THE RED BARON

Last night( 12-18-2002) the Discovery Channel aired an interesting program about the final engagement of the infamous Red Baron of Germany in April 1918. During the course of the broadcast, many experts in various fields examined the known details of the battle and attempted to reconstruct it. Everything was rolling along nicely until they came to the ballistic performance of the .303 British round followed by some, in my opinion, dubious scientific experiments with computers and laser beams..

The DC employed gun writer Garry James to fire a series of test shots with both a .303 SMLE rifle and a WWI vintage Lewis machine gun. He fired both weapons at various targets between 100-800 yards and recorded the results. While discussing the 800 yard targets, he allowed that he held over approximately one (12 inches) foot in order to hit the 800 yard line. This comment disturbed me greatly. While I am by no means a ballistics expert, I do know enough about the process of shooting to doubt his elevation assessment.

This morning I ran some tables on my computer based ballistics program (Tables are attached at the end) and discovered that with a 100 yard zero the .303 service load ( 174. grain FMJ spitzer @ a listed 2400fps) is more than 300 inches low at 800 yards. With a 300 yard zero this load is more than 240 inches below the point of aim and a 500 yard zero yields a point of impact of almost 166 inches below the target. Is it just me or are these awfully long feet?

The program concluded with an elaborate computerized flight simulation and the use of hi-tech laser �guns� to investigate the probability of von Richtofen being shot down by a Canadian fighter pilot ( long the accepted version of the Baron�s demise) or to validate claims that his bloody career was ended by Australian antiaircraft gunners. In five separate attempts the flight simulator computer failed to produce a single hit( at approx 300 yards)on the infamous red triplane. Based on this series of tests the research team ruled that the RCAF pilot could not have possibly killed the Baron.( I have included a hypothetical ballistics table for Capt. Brown�s .303 guns)

The final tests with the lasers concluded that Manfred von Richtofen was killed by a single bullet fired from one of the Australian gunners at a range of 800 yards.

Based on my experience I find this highly unlikely. In my opinion the Red Baron was likely killed by the bullet of the Canadian fighter pilot ( 300 yards shooting range vs 800yds shooting range for the AA guns)) or a single well placed shot from one of the infantrymen on the scene. The ballistics of the ammunition involved as well as the battlefield setting of the engagement preclude such a shot being made with a machine gun.

Now, what do you think?

I would especially like input from anyone who has actual experience either as a fighter pilot, AA gunner, or ballistics engineer

Good Shooting,
HBB

TABLE I: BASIC TRAJECTORY .303 SERVICE LOAD
100 YARD ZERO

Velocity Bullet Wt. Sight in at Ball Coef. Sight Ht. Intervals Mx Range
2400 174.0 100 YDS .422 .5 50 YDS 1000
Muz Elv Temp Altitude Wind mph Wind dir
0.00 65.00 0.00 10MPH 90 DEG

Range Velocity Impact Drop ToF Energy Drift
0 2400 -0.5 0 0 2226 0
50 2297 0.57 0.91 0.07 2039 0.67
100 2201 0 3.47 0.13 1872 1.39
150 2107 -2.38 7.83 0.2 1715 2.6
200 2014 -6.73 14.16 0.28 1567 4.36
250 1925 -13.22 22.64 0.35 1432 6.69
300 1838 -22.07 33.47 0.43 1305 9.62
350 1754 -33.49 46.88 0.52 1189 13.2
400 1674 -47.75 63.12 0.6 1083 17.46
450 1596 -65.12 82.47 0.69 984 22.44
500 1521 -85.89 105.23 0.79 894 28.19
550 1451 -110.43 131.75 0.89 813 34.73
600 1384 -139.09 162.39 1 740 42.11
650 1322 -172.27 197.56 1.11 675 50.34
700 1265 -210.41 237.68 1.22 618 59.44
750 1213 -253.93 283.19 1.35 569 69.41
800 1167 -303.33 334.57 1.47 526 80.23
850 1126 -359.06 392.28 1.6 490 91.87
900 1091 -421.56 456.77 1.74 460 104.27
950 1059 -491.29 528.48 1.88 433 117.38
1000 1032 -568.65 607.82 2.02 412 131.16

TABLE II: TRAJECTORY .303 SERVICE LOAD
300 YARD ZERO

Velocity Bullet Wt. Sight in at Ball Coef. Sight Ht. Intervals Mx Range
2400 174.0 300YDS .422 .5 50YDS 1000
Muz Elv Temp Altitude Wind mph Wind dir
0.00 65.0 0.00 10 MPH 90.0

Range Velocity Impact Drop ToF Energy Drift
0 2400 -0.5 0 0 2226 0
50 2297 4.25 0.91 0.07 2039 0.67
100 2201 7.35 3.47 0.13 1872 1.39
150 2107 8.65 7.83 0.2 1715 2.6
200 2014 7.99 14.16 0.28 1567 4.36
250 1925 5.17 22.64 0.35 1432 6.69
300 1838 0 33.47 0.43 1305 9.62
350 1754 -7.75 46.88 0.52 1189 13.2
400 1674 -18.33 63.12 0.6 1083 17.46
450 1596 -32.02 82.47 0.69 984 22.44
500 1521 -49.11 105.23 0.79 894 28.19
550 1451 -69.97 131.75 0.89 813 34.73
600 1384 -94.95 162.39 1 740 42.11
650 1322 -124.46 197.56 1.11 675 50.34
700 1265 -158.92 237.68 1.22 618 59.44
750 1213 -198.77 283.19 1.35 569 69.41
800 1167 -244.49 334.57 1.47 526 80.23
850 1126 -296.53 392.28 1.6 490 91.87
900 1091 -355.36 456.77 1.74 460 104.27
950 1059 -421.41 528.48 1.88 433 117.38
1000 1032 -495.09 607.82 2.02 412 131.16

TABLE III: .303 SERVICE LOAD

500 YARD ZERO

Velocity Bullet Wt. Sight in at Ball Coef. Sight Ht. Intervals Mx Range
2400 174.0 500 YDS .422 .5 50YDS 1000YDS
Muz Elv Temp Altitude Wind mph Wind dir
0.00 65.0 0.0 10.0 90.0

Range Velocity Impact Drop ToF Energy Drift
0 2400 -0.5 0 0 2226 0
50 2297 9.16 0.91 0.07 2039 0.67
100 2201 17.18 3.47 0.13 1872 1.39
150 2107 23.39 7.83 0.2 1715 2.6
200 2014 27.63 14.16 0.28 1567 4.36
250 1925 29.73 22.64 0.35 1432 6.69
300 1838 29.47 33.47 0.43 1305 9.62
350 1754 26.63 46.88 0.52 1189 13.2
400 1674 20.97 63.12 0.6 1083 17.46
450 1596 12.19 82.47 0.69 984 22.44
500 1521 0 105.23 0.79 894 28.19
550 1451 -15.94 131.75 0.89 813 34.73
600 1384 -36.01 162.39 1 740 42.11
650 1322 -60.61 197.56 1.11 675 50.34
700 1265 -90.15 237.68 1.22 618 59.44
750 1213 -125.09 283.19 1.35 569 69.41
800 1167 -165.9 334.57 1.47 526 80.23
850 1126 -213.03 392.28 1.6 490 91.87
900 1091 -266.95 456.77 1.74 460 104.27
950 1059 -328.09 528.48 1.88 433 117.38
1000 1032 -396.85 607.82 2.02 412 131.16

TABLE IV: HYPOTHETICAL BALLISTICS FOR .303
SERVICE LOAD FIRED FROM CAPT. A. R. BROWN PLANE

APRIL 21, 1918

Range Velocity Impact Drop ToF Energy Drift
0 2400 -0.5 0 0 2226 0
50 2299 0.84 0.91 0.07 2042 0
100 2204 1.02 3.46 0.13 1877 0
150 2111 -0.08 7.82 0.2 1722 0
200 2021 -2.56 14.13 0.28 1578 0
250 1933 -6.56 22.58 0.35 1444 0
300 1847 -12.2 33.36 0.43 1318 0
350 1764 -19.65 46.7 0.51 1202 0
400 1684 -29.07 62.83 0.6 1096 0
450 1607 -40.67 82.04 0.69 998 0
500 1534 -54.65 104.61 0.79 909 0.01
550 1464 -71.24 130.87 0.89 828 0.01
600 1397 -90.69 161.18 0.99 754 0.01
650 1336 -113.28 195.93 1.1 690 0.01
700 1279 -139.3 235.54 1.22 632 0.01
750 1226 -169.06 280.43 1.34 581 0.01
800 1179 -202.88 331.06 1.46 537 0.02
850 1137 -241.09 387.9 1.59 499 0.02
900 1101 -284 451.38 1.73 468 0.02
950 1069 -331.92 521.95 1.86 442 0.03
1000 1041 -385.13 600.01 2.01 419 0.03

Perhaps what he meant was that on the 800 yd sight setting he held over an extra foot in order to hit the target?

Only speculation on my part as I am not familiar with the sights on that rifle but I know that on many of my Mausers I still have to allow for hold over since the site settings are really only approximate.

I think that the angle of the entry wound was the determing factor.

I believe Richtofen was killed by a shot fired by Gunner Bluie (SP??) of the Australian Army.....

The myth that von Richtofen was shot down by ground fire was created and fostered by the German propaganda machine in order to preserve his aura of invincibility in the air even after his death in battle.

If he was killed by ground fire, then he was never bested in battle by another flier.

Ground troops were always shooting at planes overhead (regardless of whose they were), so why in this one instance should they be given credit for the kill - when it obviously was by action of Roy Brown. Brown didn't even know who he was facing in the air, and had to be informed of who he shot down after he returned to his aerodrome.

By the way, my No 1 Mk III SMLE in .303 was adjustable to ranges of 2,000 yds (how accurate it might be at those ranges is another question).

hillbillybear,
A number of years ago I read a very good book about the barons death. Unfortunately the best and only evidence, the fatal bullet, that killed the baron was stolen by a medical orderly at the hospital the body had been taken to. I don't remember exactly which gun had which twist, but the guns on Bishops plane had one twist and Gunners gun had the opposite twist. The author stated that when the body was disrobed, the fatal bullet fell from the clothing the baron was wearing. The orderly was observed, by other orderlies, taking the bullet as a souvenir. Statements from several witnesses said the baron was banking his plane left and right while going thru the area where the wound was inflicted. The plane was also seen to raise its nose and then settle into a shallow dive that ended in a crash.

The wound channel started below the armpit on the right side. It went thru the top of the right lung, thru the heart, thru the lower portion of the left lung, thru a rib and then exited the body. The inner flight suit was holed but the leather jacket on the left side was not. Now this is just my S.W.A.G., but I think that this is more in common with ground fire than air/air gunnery. The wound channel is right if the plane was in a steep right bank when the bullet hit the baron. The extent of the wound is also more indicative of a bullet that had traveled far enough to loose a lot of velocity. I don't think 200 yards would have slowed the bullet enough for it not to have exited thru the left side of the heavy coat. Had the fatal bullet been fired by Bishops guns, I think the wound would would have been from back to front.

As I said, this is just my S.W.A.G.. There is no way we'll ever know. If the bullet had been kept and tested we'd know the answer. Now, it's just a lot of fun guessing. Have a Happy, safe New Year all.

[ 12-30-2002, 12:30: Message edited by: BigBob ]

Bishop didn't shoot him down, Brown did. Maybe the Aussies got lucky, it could happen. - Dan

If all that ballistic clap were true, then why bother arming the planes at all? They obviously can't hit each other!
It's a bunch of ANALitical garbage

This seems to me to be just another example of an "expert witness" demonstrating his "expertise". Now, about my fee...

Did the .303's on the british planes have tracers?

If they did, I dont think it would be THAT hard to hit another plane at 300 yards. Its definitely possible. All you gotta do is hold down the trigger and walk the stream of tracers into the other plane!!

OK, it isn't quite that simple, BUT, in WWII americans would shoot down other planes 1000 yards away with .50 cal BMG's. Now, one might say that the .50 has a much longer effective range than a .303, but its only bigger. Its really not much faster or more accurate. IE, you could hit a plane with a .303 from 1,000 yards, it just wouldn't do much damage.

Also, in WWII the planes moved MUCH faster. a 300 MPH plane at 1,000 yards vs a 100 mph plane at 300 yards..... the WWI plane would be much easier to hit vs an enemy fighter in WWII.

Just some of my thoughts off the top of my head.

Interesting thread though

Hello;
I don't recall any mention of WW I tracer, but maybe I' m wrong. Perhaps my fellow countryman was just a victim of the "Golden BB".
Griz

I too watched the program. Thought while not conclusively proving their point, did offer a good case that someone other than Mr. Brown shot the Baron down. I would suggest however that a Lewis maching gun is not sighted in for 100 yards. Since military targets stand vertically (humans) as apposed to hunting targets that stand horizontally (deer,elk, whatever), the sight-in range is more likely to be much farther out since a hold on the center of the target will likely still inflict a hit if it is 5 inches high or so at 100 yards. I know on my personal collection of military rifles of that era, Model 98 Kraig, '03 springfield, 1917 enfield, British Enfield, when the sight is folded down and you are using the battle sight, they all shoot fairly high at 100 yards.

I think that the sights on most military rifles of that era were zeroed around 300 yards. I know some models of the SMLE has a rear flip sight ( one aperture for 100 yard zero and one for 300 yard zero).

Personally, as I consider it in greater detail, I lean more and more into the "Golden Bullet" camp on this episode of history. I think CPT. Brown got lucky that spring morning in 1918.

Good Shooting,
HBB

Hi Folks,
Here is a link to a Red Baron website which houses an E-copy of his 1917 "autobiography." It's very interesting to read the Baron's own words.

http://www.richthofen.com/

HBB