Message of General von Hoeppner

‘On the occasion of the death of Rittmeister Manfred Frhr. v. Richthofen, the Commanding General addressed the following telegram to Jagdgeschwader 1: ’The hope we all harboured that Richthofen would remain with us has not been fulfilled. He has fallen. His deeds are stronger than our words. It was granted to him to live recognised and revered as a leader, to be loved as a comrade. We do not want to focus on what he could have become, but rather derive living strength from what he was, strength to keep his memory alive in deeds. I warmly commemorate his fighter squadron and especially his fighter squadron 11. Commanding General v. Hoeppner."