October 20, 1917

Letter of Hartha Gerstenberg to Albert Flipts

Event Summary

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Letter of Hartha Gerstenberg to Albert Flipts

MvR in conversation with Leutnant Alfred Gerstenberg in front of MvR's Halberstadt D. (picture source: The Red Baron, a photographic album of the first world war's greatest ace, Manfred von Richthofen, Terry C Treadwell, Pen and Sword Books, 2021)

Event Narrative

Letter from Hartha Gerstenberg, wife of Alfred Gerstenberg to Albert Flipts: In 1912, he joined the 1st Uhlanenregiment at Militsch in Silesia. It was with this regiment that he was asked to fly with Manfred von Richthofen. During 1915-1916, he flew with the Red Baron as his observer. In June 1916, he was with von Richthofen at Fliegerabteilung 69 in Russia...In January 1918, he accompanied Manfred von Richthofen to Imperial Headquarters and von Richthofen handed him his ‘will’ saying: ‘In case I do not return, Hauptmann Reinhard will take over the command of Jagdgeschwader 1’...After von Richthofen's death, he took care of his dog “Moritz”, who died at his farm in old age.

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