Manfred Von Richtofen: A Brief Biography
There were many great aviators in WWI. From Elliot Springs to Herman Goring, from Karl Wolf to Godwin Brumowski. But they all paled in comparison to one of the greatest aviators of all time. The Red baron, also known as Manfred Von Richtofen, “was the most successful pilot of WWI with 80 confirmed kills before he was shot down during the Battle of the Somme(http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_were_some_of_the_most_famous_pilots_of_World_War_1).” This is his story.
Manfred Von Richtofen was born on May 2, 1892, over 100 years ago (http://www.historynet.com/red-baron-world-war-i-ace-fighter-pilot-manfred-von-richthofen.htm). He was the eldest of three brothers, so a lot of responsibility fell upon his back (http://www.historynet.com/red-baron-world-war-i-ace-fighter-pilot-manfred-von-richthofen.htm). …show more content…
However, as trench warfare began to become the main fighting technique, the cavalry was not used as much, and thus Manfred was only used as an infantry messenger (http://www.conservapedia.org). Manfred did not like that, and so he applied to join the Imperial German Army Air Service, later called the Luftstreitkräfte (http://www.historynet.com/red-baron-world-war-i-ace-fighter-pilot-manfred-von-richthofen.htm). He was accepted, and thus his career as one of the greatest pilots in history …show more content…
During this time, Manfred, now known as the Red Baron, claimed another 31 kills, thus surpassing Boelcke’s record. The men of Jasta 11 were quickly improving, and soon there was a friendly, but fierce, rivalry between the Red Baron’s old squadron and Jasta 11. The allied forces started calling Jasta 11 as the “Flying Circus” because all the pilots of the squad had their planes highlited with red paint to match their leader’s plane. By the time the Red Baron went on leave in May, the Flying Circus had more than 100 kills. Lothar von Richtofen, the Red Baron’s brother, joined the German air force to follow in Manfred’s footsteps, and soon was assigned to the Flying Circus. He was left in charge of Jasta 11 while the Red Baron was on
Manfred Von Richtofen was born on May 2, 1892, over 100 years ago (http://www.historynet.com/red-baron-world-war-i-ace-fighter-pilot-manfred-von-richthofen.htm). He was the eldest of three brothers, so a lot of responsibility fell upon his back (http://www.historynet.com/red-baron-world-war-i-ace-fighter-pilot-manfred-von-richthofen.htm). …show more content…
However, as trench warfare began to become the main fighting technique, the cavalry was not used as much, and thus Manfred was only used as an infantry messenger (http://www.conservapedia.org). Manfred did not like that, and so he applied to join the Imperial German Army Air Service, later called the Luftstreitkräfte (http://www.historynet.com/red-baron-world-war-i-ace-fighter-pilot-manfred-von-richthofen.htm). He was accepted, and thus his career as one of the greatest pilots in history …show more content…
During this time, Manfred, now known as the Red Baron, claimed another 31 kills, thus surpassing Boelcke’s record. The men of Jasta 11 were quickly improving, and soon there was a friendly, but fierce, rivalry between the Red Baron’s old squadron and Jasta 11. The allied forces started calling Jasta 11 as the “Flying Circus” because all the pilots of the squad had their planes highlited with red paint to match their leader’s plane. By the time the Red Baron went on leave in May, the Flying Circus had more than 100 kills. Lothar von Richtofen, the Red Baron’s brother, joined the German air force to follow in Manfred’s footsteps, and soon was assigned to the Flying Circus. He was left in charge of Jasta 11 while the Red Baron was on