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Manfred Albrecht Freiherr
von Richthofen
(02.05.1892 - 21.04.1918)
place of birth: Breslau, Niederschlesien (Wroclaw, Poland)
Königreich
Preußen: Rittmeister
German baron and ace aviator von
Richthofen was credited with 80 enemy aircraft kills during the war. He
entered the Great War serving as a supply officer in an Uhlan cavalry
regiment and at the rank of Leutnant. In 1915, he made the switch to
flying duty, starting out as an aerial observer, and then later
training in as a fighter pilot. The legendary "Red Baron" was awarded
the Pour le Merite following a confirmed kill
against British ace Major Hawker. He later commanded Jasta 11 (11th Fighter Squadron) and then
Jagdgeschwader Nr. 1 (1st Fighter Wing),
also known as The Flying Circus. In early
1917, von Richthofen received a promotion to the rank of Oberleutnant,
and then within two was further promoted to Rittmeister (cavalry
captain).
On 21 April 1918, at the age of 25, he was
shot down and killed in action near Vaux-sur-Somme,
France. Richthofen's eventual successor ascommander of JG 1 was
Oberleutnant Hermann Goering. Richthofen's brother Lothar was likewise
an air ace who served in Jasta 11 with him. His great uncle, also named
Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen, served during the Great War as a
general of cavalry and corps commander. His cousin Frieda von
Richthofen was married to noted author D.H. Lawrence. 12
January 1917
"What
this youthful leader has achieved in aerial combat will never be
forgotten...neither by me, my Army, nor the German people."
Kaiser Wilhelm II
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