Early 20th - century aviator was credited with developing fighter aviation . He fitted a device which allowed forward shooting from planes . `` The rate of fire was that most of the bullets would miss the propeller , but every so often one would strike it . Captured by Germans , he escaped -- only to be recaptured months later . Garros was a pioneer in war and aviation , setting new world flight records .
Early 20th - century aviator was credited with developing fighter aviation . He fitted a device which allowed forward shooting from planes . Captured by Germans , he escaped -- only to be recaptured months later . Garros was a pioneer in war and aviation , setting new world flight records .