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Cooley Hurd

(26,877 posts)
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 07:35 PM Apr 2017

The Red Baron is dead - 99 yrs ago today

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_von_Richthofen



Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918), also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) during the First World War. He is considered the ace-of-aces of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories.

Originally a cavalryman, Richthofen transferred to the Air Service in 1915, becoming one of the first members of Jasta 2 in 1916. He quickly distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, and during 1917 became leader of Jasta 11 and then the larger unit Jagdgeschwader 1, better and popularly known as "The Flying Circus" or "Richthofen's Circus" because of the bright colours of its aircraft, and perhaps also because of the way the unit was transferred from one area of allied air activity to another - moving like a travelling circus in trains, and frequently setting up in tents on improvised airfields. By 1918, he was regarded as a national hero in Germany, and respected and admired even by his enemies.

Richthofen was shot down and killed near Amiens on 21 April 1918. There has been considerable discussion and debate regarding aspects of his career, especially the circumstances of his death. He remains perhaps the most widely known fighter pilot of all time, and has been the subject of many books, films and other media.
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The Red Baron is dead - 99 yrs ago today (Original Post) Cooley Hurd Apr 2017 OP
Pushed himself past his limit Binders Keepers Apr 2017 #1
His previous head wound didn't help Cooley Hurd Apr 2017 #2
The man had silver cups . . . MousePlayingDaffodil Apr 2017 #3
Well, when you put you ass on the line repeatedly... Cooley Hurd Apr 2017 #4
It was war. Rhiannon12866 Apr 2017 #5
"Richthofen was shot down by an angry beagle flying a red dog house" Oneironaut Apr 2017 #6
Fake news. DU is better then this. Sad! Kaleva Apr 2017 #7
LOL Oneironaut Apr 2017 #9
A fighter pilot's career went thru about 3 phases Kaleva Apr 2017 #8
Not if the pilot was Tom Cruise Dammit Jim Apr 2017 #10

Binders Keepers

(369 posts)
1. Pushed himself past his limit
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 07:57 PM
Apr 2017

Had shell shock. Should not have been in the air. But felt the hopes of Germany rested on his continuing to fly.

3. The man had silver cups . . .
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 08:55 PM
Apr 2017

. . . made to commemorate his aerial victories -- some 60 in all, before the war-time silver shortage curtailed their production -- with each trophy marking (in most cases) the death of a fellow human being.

Fighting in the service of one's country, and in the process necessarily taking another's life, is one thing. But having trophies made to celebrate one's prowess?

A blood-thirsty psychopath, if you ask me.

 

Cooley Hurd

(26,877 posts)
4. Well, when you put you ass on the line repeatedly...
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 09:19 PM
Apr 2017

You *don't* want anyone to pay attention?

Nonsense...

Rhiannon12866

(203,041 posts)
5. It was war.
Sat Apr 22, 2017, 06:24 AM
Apr 2017

The death toll horrifies me, too, but all the major countries in the world participated one way or another.

Kaleva

(36,147 posts)
8. A fighter pilot's career went thru about 3 phases
Sat Apr 22, 2017, 01:47 PM
Apr 2017

As a rookie, they were meat for the more experienced pilots and many died. Those that survived became the hunters and dominated the sky. In the 3rd and final phase, the pilot became sloppy and careless because they were shell shocked, burnt out or just didn't care anymore and many of them fell victim to a pilot who was in Phase II.

 

Dammit Jim

(70 posts)
10. Not if the pilot was Tom Cruise
Sat Apr 22, 2017, 03:34 PM
Apr 2017

He'd of shot down all comers while having sex with Kelli McGuinness!

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