The life and death of Manfred von Richthofen

Meet The Red Baron

A multilingual historical archive detailing Manfred von Richthofen's life and death on timelines, on a map and with 500+ pictures, using contemporary and recent sources. The ultimate Richthofen research platform!

792

Timeline entries

588

Pictures

72

Sources

82

Pilots

About the archive

Meet the Red Baron as he really was

By providing direct access to a rich and open database of structured primary documents — ranging from personal letters and clinical records to official combat reports — this research platform enables visitors to critically analyse the propaganda myth of the Red Baron and to discover for themselves the complex, human reality behind the legend.

Explore the archive

Choose your way into the story

Move between chronology, airplanes, media, and pilot profiles without losing the connections between them.

Airplanes

Study the airplanes

Compare airplane types, trace individual machines, and see how they connect to events in his life.

Media

Browse the media archive

Browse photographs, film, and sound material tied back to events, airplanes and pilots.

Featured Events

Moments in Richthofen's life

View full chronology
August 1, 1918

Report by Hermann Göring

Ferme Puisieux

"Dear Major, Having been appointed commander of the Freiherr von Richthofen fighter squadron by order of the Kogenluft (i.e. Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force), I would like to take this opportunity to inform you perso...

February 21, 1917

Lothar in Schweidnitz

La Brayelle

...It turned out to be a cosy few hours after all. Lothar feels so comfortable at home; he's a ‘family man’. The next day I invited him for coffee with some juices. We talked a lot about Manfred. He is his role model, hi...

July 6, 1917

JG1 Staff

Kortrijk

Since July 6th, Staff Office Marckebeeke, KortrijkseStr. 74.

Media Highlights

Moments preserved in pictures

Open slideshow

This research platform was curated by Hein Poblome with care, patience, and a lot of passion. If you enjoy the work and would like to support the project, buying him a coffee is a wonderful way to help. Support on Buy Me a Coffee