In Memory of Manfred von Richthofen "Ace of Aces".

In Memory of Manfred von Richthofen... "The Red Baron"

He is the "Ace of Aces" from the War to End All Wars. With 80 confirmed combat kills, he was the Teutonic Knight of the Air.

In January 1917, after his 16th confirmed kill, Richthofen received the Pour le Mérite ("The Blue Max"), the highest military honour in Germany at the time. That same month, he assumed command of Jasta 11, which ultimately included some of the elite of Germany's pilots, many of whom he trained himself. Several in turn subsequently became leaders of their own squadrons.

As a practical aid to easy identification in the melee of air combat, Jasta 11's aircraft soon adopted red colourations with various individual markings, with some of Richthofen's own aircraft painted entirely red. This practice soon had its use in German propaganda, even the RFC aircrew dubbing Richthofen "Le Petit Rouge."

Richthofen led his new unit to unparalleled success, peaking during "Bloody April" 1917. In that month alone, he downed 22 British aircraft, raising his official tally to 52. By June, he was the commander of the first of the new larger Jagdgeschwader (wing) formations, leading Jagdgeschwader 1 composed of Jastas 4, 6, 10 and 11. These were highly mobile combined tactical units that could be sent at short notice to different parts of the front as required. In this way, JG1 became "The Flying Circus", its name coming both from the unit's highly mobile nature (including the use of tents), and from its brightly coloured aircraft. By the end of April, the "Flying Circus" also became known as the "Richthofen Circus."

Richthofen was a brilliant tactician, building on Boelcke's tactics. But unlike Boelcke, he led by example and force of will rather than by inspiration. He was often described as distant, unemotional, and rather humourless, though some colleagues contend otherwise.

He died on April 21st, 1918.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Manfred
• von
• Richthofen
• Red
• Baron
• Jasta
• 11
• World
• War

[mausalvo]

The Red Baron's Brother was an Ace also :}

[cfp803]

Ahhh... Lothar... yes he was. Some how he did not have the mystique of his brother. They were VERY different. He was a very interesting character however.

[jabo109]

He was, is and will be the ACE OF ACES.

RIP

[wizart49]

great work

[jackgreen1506]

that said rip baron von richthofen

[jackgreen1506]

the pilot at the end of this vid is not manfred but herman G cool vid though

[buhudl76]

Der beste Jagdtflieger des ersten Weltkrieges!

R.I.P

[TheRichthoffen]

Freiherr von Richthofen used to buy a silver cup to commemorate each British pilot he shot down... and I suppose as a hunter's trophy. Eventually the silver in Germany ran out.... many cups were kept at his family home in Sweidnitz (now Swidnica in Poland) until the Russian invaders raided and 'raped' all the memories including the once wonderful memorial in the local park opposite to Manfred.. ruined. Today the house is flats but a memorial lies in one corner of the garden for those who know.

[Dolphindream15]

they found no plack in his coffin but his remains  were well preserved all except for his skull which was due to the downing of his plane

[Dolphindream15]

this video is a keep sake its the best on the red barron considering how old the films are,,in great viewing shape,,one queation wasnt the red barron remains exhumed 3 different times,,the first was when they built the berlin wall red barrons grave was in the way of it,,and I think somewhere during one of the exhuming of his remains they opened up his coffin to look for some kind of plack that was placed in there during his oringal burial,they found no plack .

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

He is the greatest flying ace in history.

No question.

Manfred von Richthofen was loved by many and feared by everyone else.

Today, he is a hero to all.

George Vreeland Hill

[IMattchewB]

@mausalvo Really, he was good at shooting people in the head also huh?

[Artiaque]

4:28  -> He looks like Matthias Schweighöfer. :)

Great work. :)

[mckessa]

If only Billy Bishop had a crack at him.....