The Red Baron

Manfred von Richthofen other wise known as the Red Baron was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service. He is considered the ace-of-aces during World War I, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories.

Who Is He?

Von Richthofen was born in Kleinburg into a well-known Prussian aristocratic family. After being both educated at home and attending a school at Schweidnitz, he began military training when he was 11. After completing cadet training in 1911, he joined an Uhlan cavalry unit. When World War I began, Richthofen served as a cavalry reconnaissance officer on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. Disappointed at not being able to participate more often in combat, Richthofen applied for a transfer to Imperial German Army Air Service. His request was granted and he joined the flying service in 1915. He entered training as a pilot in October 1915 and in March 1916 he started his flying career.

Why Is He Famous?

Even though his first two victories were not confirmed because they were behind enemy lines Richthofen won his first aerial combat with Jasta 2 over Cambrai, France, on September 17 1916.
After his first confirmed victory, Richthofen ordered a silver cup engraved with the date and the type of enemy machine from a jeweler in Berlin. He continued this until he had 60 cups, by which time the supply of silver in Germany was restricted.
In addition to being a fine combat tactician and squadron leader, however, he was a superb marksman, and in combat he viewed his aircraft as a platform from which to fire his guns. Typically, he would dive from above to attack with the advantage of the sun behind him, and with other Jasta pilots covering his rear and flanks.
In 1917, after his 16th confirmed kill, Richthofen received the Pour le Mérite otherwise known as The Blue Max, the highest military honor in Germany at the time. That same month, he assumed command of Jasta 11, which ultimately included some of the elite German pilots, many of whom he trained himself. Also during his time with the Jasta 11 his plane was colored red and had markings on it and where he was nicknamed the Red Baron.

How Did He Die?

Richthofen was killed on the on 21st of April in 1918 over Morlancourt Ridge, near the Somme River while trying to pursue a Canadian pilot named Lieutenant Wilfrid "Wop" May. During this final stage in his pursuit of May that Richthofen was hit by a single .303 bullet, which caused such severe damage to his heart and lungs that it must have produced a very speedy death. In the last seconds of his life, he managed to make a hasty but controlled landing. When his recruitments arrived, he was still alive but died seconds later. This was the end of the Red Baron. To this day no one knows who killed him even though there are many accusations as to whom, but forever it will remain a mystery.

Sources:
"The Red Baron, Manfred Von Richthofen - Life and Death of the WWI German Ace." WW2 and Aviation - Facts, History, and Pictures. 2009. Web. 12 May 2010. http://www.acepilots.com/wwi/ger_richthofen.html.

Pictures From:
Picture of Red Baron's Plane. Digital image. Web. 12 May 2010. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/RoteBaron.JPG/220px-RoteBaron.JPG.
Picture of the Red Baron. Digital image. Web. 12 May 2010. http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/april2007/redbaron_01.jpg.
Picture of Red Baron Fighting. Digital image. Web. 12 May 2010. http://www.gattiart.com/Prints/Red_Baron/Red_BaronStrikes_DSc.jpg.
Picture of the Red Baron's Grave. Digital image. Web. 12 May 2010. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Richthofen-pomnik3.JPG/220px-Richthofen-pomnik3.JPG.

Made By: Stefan