Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 - 21 April 1918) was a German fighter aircraft pilot in World War I. His nickname was the "Red Baron". He is considered the ace-of-aces of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories. The "Red Baron" is one of the most famous aviators in history and the subject of numerous representations in music, film and other media. He already received numerous honors and award for his exploits.
Life
Richthofen was born in Breslau, Germany. In August 1914, Richthofen became a cavalry officer in World War I. In May 1915, he joined the air service and became an observer. He did that because the training course was shorter and would get him to fighting faster. In October, he began training as a pilot. In March 1916, he entered combat. He had his first victory in April. In 1917, he was in command of a squadron nicknamed the "flying circus". He painted his airplane red so his fellow Germans could see him. Richthofen’s sixteenth victory flying a plane made him the best pilot in Germany in 1917.
On April 21, 1918, Richthofen was fatally shot, whilst flying low above the Somme Valley, near Amiens while fighting in France. He was 25 years old. He was chasing an enemy plane when a bullet passed through his chest, fatally wounding him. He then made a crash landing, in a field on a hill near the Bray-Corbie road, just north of Vaux-sur-Somme. His Fokker Dr.I was seriously damaged by the landing. One witness, Gunner George Ridgway, said that Richthofen was already dead when he and other Australian soldiers reached the plane.[1]
Canadian fighter pilot Arthur Roy Brown was officially credited with killing Richthofen. However, it is now generally agreed that the bullet that killed Richthofen was fired by a soldier on the ground.[1][2] The enemy buried Richthofen's body with full military honors.
Manfred Von Richthofen Media
Richthofen family coat of arms
- LanoeHawker
Richthofen's all-red Fokker Dr.I
Richthofen in the cockpit of his famous Rotes Flugzeug ("Red Aircraft") with other members of Jasta 11, including his brother Lothar (sitting, front), 23 April 1917
Richthofen's Albatros D.V after forced landing near Wervik. This machine is not an all-red one.
209 Squadron Badge – the red eagle falling – symbolizes the fall of the Red Baron.
Australian soldiers and airmen examine the remnants of Richthofen's triplane.
Australian airmen with Richthofen's triplane 425/17 after it was looted by souvenir hunters
The funeral of Manfred von Richthofen
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Miller, Dr. Geoffrey. "The Death of Manfred von Richthofen: Who fired the fatal shot?" Sabretache: Journal and Proceedings of the Military History Society of Australia, vol. XXXIX, no. 2, 1998.
- ↑ Who killed the Red Baron? Exploring competing theories Pbs.org, (Public Broadcasting Service) NOVA, 2003. Retrieved: 13 June 2009.