The Red Baron, born Manfred von Richthofen, was a German fighter pilot in World War I with 80 confirmed victories. He was a cautious and respected leader, and his red-painted aircraft became iconic. He died in 1918 and was given a military burial with full honors.
The Red Baron was a German fighter pilot who flew during World War I, distinguishing himself with numerous military trophies and honours. He rose to prominence in this conflict, with 80 confirmed victories, and troops on both sides mourned him after his death in 1918. He has also become an iconic figure in history, with numerous pop culture references to his name and fame spanning they appear in all sorts of places.
This famous German was born in 1892 into the Prussian nobility. His real name was Manfred von Richthofen and in 1911 he entered military training, first serving in the cavalry. Richthofen realized that the early 20th century marked a dramatic change in the nature of warfare, however, and he moved into an early form of German aviation as a result. At first, he simply flew as an observer, later learned to fly and served as a reconnaissance pilot and finally as a fighter pilot.
The Red Baron acquired his name when he painted his aircraft red to make it easy to identify, ensuring it would not be accidentally shot down by troops on the ground. Other aircraft in his squadron also adopted his red paint and an assortment of other markings to make them easy to see, and some of these aircraft can be seen on display in aviation museums, both in Germany and abroad.
As a driver, the Red Baron was known to be cautious and level-headed, following a set of principles he set himself. Unlike other members of his family who were also pilots, Richthofen was not a daring stunt pilot, but rather a very daring and sensitive pilot with excellent leadership skills. His techniques must have worked, for he managed to defeat a number of enemies in the course of his career, and he became a figure of respect among the Germans and one of fear among the British and their warring allies.
In 1917, the Red Baron was briefly ashore with a head injury and wrote an autobiography during this time. When cleared for service, the German government asked him to take a position in the field, fearing that his death might be catastrophic to morale, but the Red Baron refused, stating that if ordinary German soldiers were not allowed to choose their fate, would follow suit. On April 21, 1918, he was shot, successfully landing his plane and dying soon after.
Although the Red Baron’s plane was not damaged by the landing, it was quickly disassembled by people hunting for souvenirs. In accordance with the rules of engagement of the time, the Red Baron was given a military burial; the British soldiers charged with his burial offered him full honors, including pallbearers of comparable rank and an air salute in the form of a missing man formation. In 1925 the Red Baron was exhumed and taken to Berlin for burial; he was then exhumed again and placed in the family tomb.
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