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General Event · Powstancow Slaskich 92-94, Borek Wroclaw
‘Now about my youth. The old man was in Breslau with the Leibkürasseren 1 when I was born on 2 May 1892. We lived in Kleinburg.’
Anecdote · Powstancow Slaskich 92-94, Borek Wroclaw
When he was eight years old, he climbed the largest apple trees on the estate, which hardly anyone else could reach. But then he didn't let himself down from the trunk, but from the outside on the branches, grasping them...
Anecdote · Powstancow Slaskich 92-94, Borek Wroclaw
"Because from the earliest days of his youth, Manfred had already shown samples of unusual energy. As an eight-year-old boy, my parents were expecting him one day from the railway in Wroclaw. He was to return from a long...
Anecdote · Powstancow Slaskich 92-94, Borek Wroclaw
An easily terrified mother is a great obstacle to the physical development of children,' Mrs von Richthofen said. 'When Manfred was a little boy, I believe many of my friends considered me rather a careless mother becaus...
General Event · Schloss Romberg in Samotwór (dt. Romberg) ist ein Schloss bei Kąty Wrocławskie (dt. Kanth, bis 1930 Canth) in Niederschlesien
The family has to sell Schloss Romberg due to financial troubles.
General Event · Powstancow Slaskich 92-94, Borek Wroclaw
I had private lessons until I was nine years old.
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
"then a year of school in Schweidnitz",
Relocation & trips · Kadettenanstalt Wahlstatt
MvR joins military cadets
Anecdote · Kadettenanstalt Wahlstatt
That's how Manfred got through his time as a cadet, even though this type of education and youthful treatment didn't suit him too well. But he gritted his teeth and never complained during all the holidays he spent at hi...
Anecdote · Kadettenanstalt Wahlstatt
‘Captain Freiherr von Richthofen has not returned.’ So reports the army bulletin, succinctly and bluntly. So it has happened after all! What no one dared to think about has come to pass, what every German felt with quiet...
Anecdote · Kadettenanstalt Wahlstatt
Manfred only caused my parents serious concern once. He had suffered a serious knee injury in the cadet corps. A piece of cartilage in his knee had torn loose during a fall squat without assistance. This piece occasional...
Anecdote · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Even today, my mother cannot praise the extent to which my parents could always rely on him. He gave precise and clear answers to every question, regardless of what the consequences might be for him. As a twelve-year-old...
Anecdote · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
He didn't underestimate the danger, but it didn't play a role in his life. That was the case from an early age. The girls claimed that the manor house was haunted. A servant had once hanged himself on the floor upstairs...
Relocation & trips · Hauptkadettenanstalt Lichterfelde
‘I liked it a lot better in Lichterfelde. I was no longer so cut off from the world and began to live a little more as a person. My favourite memories from Lichterfelde are the big corso games, where I fought a lot with...
Appointment & medals ·
It is hereby certified that His Royal Prussian Cadet Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen, in the presence of over 100 witnesses, most of whom are of impeccable character, shot and killed 20 hares and 1 pheasant (male) with h...
Relocation & trips · Ulanen-Regiment „Kaiser Alexander III. von Rußland“ (Westpreußisches) Nr. 1
‘Of course, I could hardly wait to join the army. That's why I went to the front after my midshipman's examination and joined the Uhlan Regiment No. 1 ‘Kaiser Alexander III’. I had chosen this regiment; it was in my belo...
General Event · Ulanen-Regiment „Kaiser Alexander III. von Rußland“ (Westpreußisches) Nr. 1
‘About a year later at the regiment, my Rittmeister v. Tr., who was very fond of sport, told me that he had bought a very chunky jumper. We were all very excited about the ‘chunky jumper’, who bore the rare name ‘Biffy’....
Appointment & medals · Ostrowo
MvR appointed Leutnant and in the 3rd squadron in Ostrowo
Anecdote · Ostrowo
When Manfred was commissioned as a junior officer in the Ulan Regiment No. 1, Emperor Alexander III, he became even more passionate about equestrian sports than before. After he had received his officer's licence, our fa...
General Event ·
On becoming a Lieutenant in 1912, Manfred's father gave him a fine mare which he called Santuzza. The life of a young officer in a regiment of Uhlans reqired him to excel on horseback and von Richthofen actively particip...
Anecdote ·
Manfred has won many great prizes in show jumping competitions and cross-country rides. Most recently in the Kaiserpreisritt in 1913.
Anecdote · Near Kielcze, near Kalisch?
His ambition was to ride in big races in Breslau and in the capital of the Reich. For this purpose he had acquired a thoroughbred named Antithesis. But on the same day that the first race was to be run with his horse, he...
Relocation & trips · Zoppot
Kriegesausbruch und Reise von Zoppot to Swidnica.
Relocation & trips · Near Kielcze, near Kalisch?
Kriegesausbruch, die erste Tage
MvR correspondance ·
Er hinterlässt seinen Eltern und Geschwistern folgende Zeilen:
Relocation & trips · Near Kielcze, near Kalisch?
Kriegesausbruch, die erste Tage
Relocation & trips · Near Kielcze, near Kalisch?
Kriegesausbruch, die erste Tage
MvR correspondance ·
Manfred wrote from Schelmce, on the other side of the border. The letter was dated 5 August, the day when the church service brought us together on the little parade ground and I was worried about him. While we stood and...
Relocation & trips ·
Today was a day that is still fresh in my mind, but which also moved me deeply. A field service was held for the entire garrison, the soldiers and their families on the small parade ground, which is so pleasantly lined w...
MvR correspondance · südwestlich Kalisz
"Dear Mum! How are you all doing in these turbulent times? You are certainly safest in Schweidnitz. I am now on my third night on patrol in Russia. There are no German troops ahead of me, so I am the furthest forward. On...
Relocation & trips · near Diedenhofen (Thionville)
‘To France. We were now loaded in my garrison town. Where to? - No idea whether west, east, south or north. There were a lot of rumours, but most of them were over. But in this case we probably had the right instinct: we...
Relocation & trips · near Luxemburg
‘We unloaded in Busendorf. It was so hot that our horses threatened to fall over. For the next few days, we marched north towards Luxembourg. In the meantime, I had found out that my brother had ridden the same route wit...
Relocation & trips · near Arlon
‘We marched and marched, the patrols far ahead, until one fine day we were at Arlon. I had a funny feeling as I crossed the border for the second time. I had already heard dark rumours of franchisers and the like. I had...
MvR correspondance · An der Grenze zu Belgien – Frankreich
Unfortunately, I rarely have time to write, and when I do, it is only briefly. Therefore, please do not be concerned if you do not hear from me for eight to fourteen days. I have not yet received a letter from you. I hav...
Relocation & trips · Wald bei Virton
Wie ich auf Patrouille zum erstenmal die Kugeln pfeifen hörte
Anecdote ·
It was on August 21st, in the little Belgian village of Etalle, twenty miles from the frontier, that Richthofen received orders to make a mounted reconnaissance toward the south in the direction of a little town called M...
MvR correspondance · near Diedenhofen (Thionville)
"Dear Mum! I want to briefly describe to you what I have experienced here in the West. – Before the army's deployment was complete, it was of course quite boring. We were unloaded northeast of Diedenhofen and marched thr...
Appointment & medals ·
On September 1, 1914, he was transferred as an intelligence officer to the 4th Army, which at that time was stationed in front of Verdun.
MvR correspondance ·
Thank you very much for your last two cards dated 21st and 24th. The post arrives very irregularly. I received the card dated 24th eight days before the other one. I also received several parcels of sweets. Thank you ver...
Appointment & medals ·
"Dear Mum! I have some good news to share with you. Last night, I received the Iron Cross. How are things in Lemberg? Here's some advice: if the Russians come, bury everything you want to see again deep in the garden or...
Appointment & medals ·
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! The post is about to go out, so I wanted to quickly send you a greeting. I've had quite an eventful few days. I almost lost my life, but luck was on my side once again. I was on patrol and had just dismounted...
General Event ·
General Event ·
"MvR almost killed by artillery fire; his horse is killed."
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! A car has just arrived here, loaded with the first parcels, including two from you to me. It's the fur coat and a small parcel containing my gloves. The fur coat is magnificent and will be very useful on cold...
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! We are now lying in shifts like the infantry in the trenches, with the French two thousand metres in front of us. It's quite boring in the long run, because lying there quietly for twenty-four hours is no fun....
General Event ·
MvRs Mutter holt Manfreds Sachen in Ostrowo
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! I've been sitting in front of Verdun for three months now. Nothing changes here. Last night we were playing cards when another shell landed on the roof of the house next door. I've never jumped up from the tab...
Military Logs and Documents ·
Military Logs and Documents ·
Appointment & medals ·
MvR appointed Ordonnanzsofficier of the 18th Infantry Brigade
Appointment & medals ·
Life in our house has gone quiet. Manfred only briefly announced that he had become an orderly officer in the 18th Infantry Brigade.
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! Now I finally have enough physical activity. All the days I don't spend in the trenches, I spend hunting. I'm quite proud of my hunted prey, three wild boars. I'll tell Dad the story of the hunt. Three days ag...
MvR correspondance · Westfront
"Dear Mum! Thank you very much for the lovely Easter eggs. We enjoyed them very much in the shelter amid the thunder of cannon fire. Things have been pretty lively here lately. The French are now trying to attack us, aft...
MvR correspondance ·
"So it was that toward the 1st of May, he received instructions to prepare himself for another duty in the service of supply, still farther back from the front lines. Strong as army discipline was in him, he exploded, an...
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Ich gehe zu den Fliegern.
Relocation & trips · Flieger-Ersatzabteilung 7
und so trat ich Ende Mai 1915 zur Fliegertruppe.
Anecdote · Flieger-Ersatzabteilung 7
When he joined the air force in May 1915, he literally answered my question as to why he had decided to do so: 'I don't want to be just an observer, I want to be an aeroplane pilot and, if I succeed, the best of them all...
MvR correspondance · Westfront
"Dear Mum! The days at home were very nice, but unfortunately too short. I was with Dad until eleven o'clock in the evening. He looks more youthful in his uniform than anyone else his age. When I look at his peers, I hav...
Relocation & trips · Flieger-Ersatzabteilung 7
"MvR reports to adjutant Hermann of FEA 7 at Cologne. He is assigned to Barracks 7 with 29 other gunner-observer trainees. CO is Hauptmann Radhoff."
MvR correspondance · Flieger-Ersatzabteilung 7
"Dear Mum! I have finally arrived here. The 7th Air Force Replacement Unit has a huge apparatus for training us. There are thirty of us, all of whom are to be trained as observers. The best of us will then be selected an...
Relocation & trips · near Dresden
The 30-day course was completed by a subsequent 14-day course in Großenhain near Dresden, where the focus was on practice.
Relocation & trips · near Dresden
On June 10, 1915, I arrived in Großenhain to be sent to the front from there. Of course, I wanted to get out as quickly as possible because I was afraid I might be too late for the World War. Becoming a pilot would have...
Relocation & trips · near Dresden
Richthofen worked hard at Cologne and was the first of the thirty to finish. Several did not qualify. On June 10, he was sent to the No. 6 Air Replacement Section at Grossenhain for two more weeks of training. The observ...
Military Logs and Documents · near Dresden
MvR takes and passes his flight physical by taking a ride in a 2-seater. Dr. Kahler passes him.
Military Logs and Documents · near Dresden
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Blitzbesuch zu Hause
Relocation & trips · Tussen de Snaaskerkestraat en de Zomerloosstraat
He was to report to an airdrome at Ghistelles, a village near Ostend, Belgium, on August 21, for duty with the Mail Pigeon Detachment.
Relocation & trips · Tussen de Snaaskerkestraat en de Zomerloosstraat
" An airfield was constructed between Snaaskerksestraat and Zomerloosstraat, close to Gistel station. A branch line from the Ostend-Torhout railway provided supplies. In November 1914, the Brieftauben Abteilung Oostende...
Relocation & trips · Royal Palace Hotel
Brieftauben-Abteilung Ostende.
General Event · Royal Palace Hotel
Ein Tropfen Blut fürs Vaterland
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! The new flying gloves have just arrived. You can hardly imagine how happy I was to receive them. Thank you very much indeed. As you know that I am very fond of change and variety, you will certainly not be sur...
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Weihnachten 1915
Relocation & trips ·
"MvR takes four hour train ride to Fokker plant at Schwerin, north of Berlin."
Relocation & trips ·
"Meets Anthony Fokker and is given a two-day tour of engine works."
MvR correspondance · exact location?
"Dear Mum! Since I was in Schwerin for New Year's, I haven't flown once. Here in Berlin, it rains constantly, which means we can't get anywhere. And I would love to be outside right now. I think there would be so much to...
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Blitzbesuch an Sweidnitz
Relocation & trips · Flughafen Mont
8. Kampfstaffel des 2. Kampfgeschwaders
Anecdote · Flughafen Mont
"The month of March brought release. He was appointed to Fighter Squadron No. 2 as a pilot. This was the second squadron of the Carrier Pigeons; its headquarters were at Metz, but it lived in a special train, complete wi...
General Event · exact location?
Fortune smiled upon him when het met an infantryman/motor mechanic by the name of Josef Holzapfel, who was to remain as his trusted mechanic, alongside his orderly, Corporal Menzke, until that fateful day in April 1918.
Anecdote ·
"Josef Holzapfel in an interview in the 'Kölner Zeitung' of 22 April 1938: 'The officers slept in railroad cars and the rest of us slept in tents near the airplanes. We had made ourselves quite comfortable, the main thin...
Air Combat · über Fleury, südlich von Douaumont und westlich davon
Heeresbericht vom 26. April 1916
MvR correspondance · über Fleury, südlich von Douaumont und westlich davon
"Dear Mum! Just a quick note to share some good news: take a look at the army report from 26 April 1916! One of the planes my machine gun has on its conscience."
Air Combat · Flughafen Mont
As a young pilot, I once flew over Fort Douaumont on a fighter flight, which was under heavy barrage. I saw a German Fokker attacking three Caudrons. Unfortunately for him, there was a very strong westerly wind. In other...
MvR correspondance · Flughafen Mont
We were shocked to hear that Count Holk was no longer alive. ...This air on horseback connected him closely with Manfred, who had already had some success as a racing rider before the war and was predicted to have a futu...
Relocation & trips ·
Richthofen flew to Sivry for the funeral [of Holck], just one of many such events, both modest and elaborate, that he would attend within the next two years.
General Event ·
"Dear Mum! Thank you very much for your birthday wishes. I had a very nice birthday here. In the morning, I had three very thrilling dogfights, and in the evening, I sat with Zeumer, my first pilot, until one o'clock in...
MvR correspondance · 8. Kampfstaffel des 2. Kampfgeschwaders
'As can be read in a letter dated 3 May 1916, he felt ‘very comfortable in his new occupation as a fighter pilot’ – ‘I believe that no other position in the war could appeal to me more than this one.’
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Blitzbesuch an Sweidnitz
Testimonial · Entre Thonne-les-Près et La Chiers (Wikipedia.fr)
"His Staffel leader, Victor Carganico, recalled: "At the time he came to my Staffel as a two-seater pilot, he was already urging that I send him for two or three days to the Heldenvater, the head of the Air Park in Montm...
MvR correspondance · Flughafen Mont
Immelmann followed him a few weeks later. Crashed and dead. Incomprehensible. He lived among the people. ...Manfred wrote: ‘In the long run, everyone believes it.’ ...
Anecdote · MvR wherabouts?
Manfred often came together with Zeumer; it was a nice thought for me to know that the two old comrades-in-arms from the East, who were also close on a personal level, were together. Unfortunately, poor Z. had bad luck....
MvR correspondance · MvR wherabouts?
‘I leaf through old letters from Manfred's free, unattached flying days, when Georg Zeumer, friend and teacher, was still instructing him. I had often wondered what had become of him after he had the double misfortune of...
MvR correspondance ·
A few days ago I nose-dived into the ground with my Fokker. Witnesses were more than a little astonished when, after quite some time, I crawled out of the heap of rubble totally unhurt. My good friend Zeumer has already...
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! What did you say about Immelmann's death? In the long run, everyone believes in it – even Boelcke. The commander of Lothar's fighter squadron also didn't return from a bombing mission. The day before, the comm...
MvR correspondance · Mercy Le Bas
"Dear Mum! A few days ago, I crashed my Fokker. The spectators were quite astonished when I crawled out of the wreckage completely unharmed after quite a while. My good friend Zeumer is already feeling a little better. F...
Attack ·
"This photograph shows a daylight bombing raid on La Brayelle by No,23 Squadron F.E.2bs on 13 August 1916. Bomb explosions (casting long shadows) can be seen amongst the landing area and structures in the middle of the p...
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Blitzbesuch an Sweidnitz
Relocation & trips ·
Relocation & trips ·
One afternoon, Oswald Bölcke appeared. He was on his way back to Germany from a tour of air groups in Turkey. The trip had been arranged by the high command with the double purpose of giving Bölcke a rest after his ninet...
Anecdote ·
""Are you no longer interested, my young friend, in being a fighter pilot?", Bölcke asked the incredulous Baron. "Yes, of course, sir" Manfred blurted out. Quickly recovering his usual poise, he waved the Saxon flier to...
Testimonial ·
... In addition to myself, Bölcke has recruited from here a young Uhlan Leutnant von Richthofen, a splendid fellow, who has already proven himself at Verdun and here as a daring and reliable airman.
General Event · Vélu
"This photo was likely taken on 16 September 1916 when Oswald Boelcke and some of his pilots from Jasta 2 went to Armee-Flug-Park 1 to collect their new Albatros fighters. Boelcke stands at center with a walking stick an...
Air Combat · Near Villers Plouich
"Combat Report: Vickers No. 7018, Motor No. 701, Machine guns Nos 17314n 10372, near Villers Plouich, 1100 hrs. When patrol flying I detected shrapnel clouds in direction of Cambrai. I hurried forth and met a squad which...
Air Combat · Near Villers Plouich
We all stood on the firing range, and one by one we fired our machine guns in the way that seemed most favourable to us. The day before we had received our new machines, and the next morning Boelcke wanted to fly with us...
Air Combat · Near Bertincourt
Bölcke was not only the commander of Jasta 2, but also its mentor, so the battle was analyzed the next day, when the weather was too bad for patrols. He had stayed above the battle long enough to catch glimpses of what h...
Air Combat · Cambrai Road
Combat report: 1100hrs. One-seater Martinsyde, GW No. 174. 1100 air fight above Bapaume. Adversary dashed, after 300 shots, mortally wounded, near Beugny (street Bapaume - Cambrai) to the ground. Two machine guns recover...
Anecdote · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Lothar erzählt über MvR
Air Combat · Somme Schlacht
In all my life I have never known a more beautiful hunting ground than in the days of the Battle of the Somme. When you got up in the morning, the first Englishmen were already arriving, and the last ones disappeared lon...
Air Combat · Near Frémicourt
Combat Report: 1150 hrs, near Lagnicourt About 1150 I attacked, accompanied by four planes of our Staffel above our aerodrome at Lagnicourt and at 3.000 metres altitude, a Vickers Squadron. I singled out a machine and af...
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! On 30 September, I shot down my third Englishman. He crashed down in flames. Your heart beats a little faster when the enemy, whose face you have just seen, plunges down in flames from four thousand metres. Wh...
Air Combat · Near Equancourt
Combat Report: Machine Type: New and not seen up till now. Plane No. 6618: A two-deck plane (biplane) with 12 cyl. Daimler Motor No. 25 226. 0910 hrs, near Equancourt. About 0900 I attacked at 3.000 metres altitude and a...
Military Logs and Documents · Near Equancourt
"Air combat successes: On 7 October, Lieutenant von Richthofen shot down an English single-seat biplane near Equancourt. The occupant, Lieutenant Fenwick, was killed. The aircraft was a new type of B.E. From the enemy: T...
Combat report: 1800 hrs, Roeux, near Arras. About 1800 I attacked squad of Vickers at 3.500 metres altitude six kilometers to the east of Arras above Roeux. After having singled out a Vickers at whom I fired 300 shots, t...
Air Combat · Near Ytres
Combat Report: 0500 hrs, near Ytres. BE one-seater No. 6580. Daimler Motor, No. 25188. Occupant: Lieutenant Capper. Together with four planes I singled out above Bertincourt an enemy squadron at 2.800 metres altitude. Af...
MvR correspondance ·
"In my entire life, I have never known a more beautiful hunting ground than during the days of the Battle of the Somme. In the morning, when you got up, the first Englishmen were already arriving, and the last ones disap...
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! We've had bad weather here constantly, but I still shot down my fifth Englishman yesterday."
Air Combat · South end of Bapaume
"Combat Report: 0935 hrs, near Bapaume. BE two-seater. About 0900 I attacked enemy plane above trenches near Lesboefs. Unbroken cover of cloud at 2.000 metres altitude. Plane came from the German side and after some 200...
Air Combat ·
"Boelcke and I had an Englishman right between us,when another opponent pursued by friend Richthofen cut in front of us. During the simultaneous lightning-quick evasive manoeuvre, Boelcke and I, obstructed by our wings,...
Air Combat · north-east of Grevillers Wood
"Combat Report: 1410 hrs, north-east of Grevillers Wood. Vickers two-seater No. 7010. Accompanied by two machines of the Staffel, I attacked a low flying plane at 1.800 metres altitude. After 400 shots, adversary dashed...
Military Logs and Documents · north-east of Grevillers Wood
"Kofl 1st Army Weekly Activity Report: Further reported shoot-downs: decision still pending. 3 November 1916 Lieutenant Frhr.v. Richthofen reports 2.10 p.m. northeast of Gréviller Forest on this side of the line the shoo...
Air Combat ·
"Combat Report: 1030 hrs, BE two-seater, No. 2506. Motor: Daimler No. 22082. Occupants: Seriously wounded, pilot very seriously; observer, shoulder. Above Beugny. About 1030 I attacked, with several other planes, enemy b...
Appointment & medals · The Duke's headquarters
One of them appeared to be someone of particular consequence. He wore peculiar epaulettes and the distinctive trousers of a general. His face was young, and the star of a high order dangled from the throat of his tightly...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"Kofl 1st Army Weekly Activity Report: Air combat successes: B.E. two-seater shot down on 9 November 1916 at 10:30 a.m. near Beugny by Lieutenant Frhr. von Richthofen, Fighter Squadron 2".
General Event ·
(left to right) Sandel, Müller, MvR, Günther, Kirmaier, Imelmann, König, Höhne, Wortmann, Collin.
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Blitzbesuch an Sweidnitz
Air Combat · South of Grandcourt
Combat Report: Jagdstaffel Boelcke. 0940 hrs, south of Grandcourt. Vickers two-seater. Together with several machines of our Staffel we attacked, on the enemy side above Grandcourt at 1.800 metres altitude, several low f...
Air Combat ·
Combat Report: 1615 hrs, above Grandcourt. Vickers two-seater, fallen near Grandcourt, No. 4000 Motor No. 36574. Plane cannot be secured as under fire. Occupants: One killed : Lieutenant George Doughty. Lieutenant Gilber...
Military Logs and Documents · South of Grandcourt
"Kofl 1st Army Weekly Activity Report: Air combat successes: on 20 November 1916 at 9:40 a.m. south of Grandcourt by Lt. Frhr. v. Richthofen, Fighter Squadron 2."
Military Logs and Documents · South of Grandcourt
Evidence suggests Jasta 2 Staffelführer Stefan Kirmaier may have been the actual victor over 2767. He and Richthofen were each credited with a victory on this day but RFC records indicate only one machine was lost over t...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"Kofl 1st Army Weekly Activity Report: Air combat successes: on 20 November 1916, at 4:15 p.m. near Gueudecourt (sic) by Lt. Frhr. v. Richthofen, Fighter Squadron 2."
Air Combat · South of Bapaume
Combat Report: 1500 hrs, south of Bapaume. Vickers one-seater, plane lying near Bapaume. Occupant: Major Hawker, dead. I attacked, together with two other planes, a Vickers one-seater at 3.000 metres altitude. After a lo...
Air Combat · South of Bapaume
Major Hawker I was proudest of all when I heard one fine day that the Englishman I had shot down on 23 November 1916 was the British Immelmann. Judging by the aerial combat, I could have guessed that it was a hell of a g...
Air Combat · South of Bapaume
...Before I went to bed, I read my sons' letters again. The eleventh Englishman Manfred shot down was a Major Hawker, 26 years old. Prisoners said that he was the ‘English Immelmann’. He fought back desperately; Manfred...
Air Combat · South of Bapaume
The pilot of the bullet-nosed Albatros that now followed Hawker around a tight circle at 3,000 feet near Bapaume, two miles inside German lines, did not know who his opponent was, but he knew the Lord's airplane intimate...
Military Logs and Documents · South of Bapaume
"Kofl 1st Army Weekly Activity Report: Air combat successes: on 23 November at 3 p.m. near Bapaume by Lt. Frhr. v. Richthofen, Fighter Squadron 2."
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! I send you my warmest birthday wishes and hope that this will be your last birthday during the war. My eleventh Englishman is Major Hawker, twenty-six years old and commander of an English squadron. Prisoners...
Relocation & trips ·
Air Combat · above Mercatel
Combat Report: 1155 hrs, above Mercatel, near Arras. Vickers one-seater, No. 5986. Rotary Motor 30372. Occupant: made prisoner, wounded, Lieutenant Hund. About 1145 I attacked with Leutnant Wortmann, at 2.800 metres alti...
Military Logs and Documents · above Mercatel
"Kofl 1st Army Weekly Activity Report: Air combat successes: One Vickers single-seater on 11 December 1916 at 11:55 a.m. near Mercatel, Arras. Winner: Lt. Frhr. v. Richthofen, Fighter Squadron 2."
Air Combat ·
Combat Report: 1130 hrs, above Menchy. Vickers one-seater No. 7929. Motor: Gnôme 30413. Occupant: Arthur Gerald Knight, Lieutenant RFC killed. Valuables enclosed; one machine gun taken. About 1130 I attacked, together wi...
Air Combat · between Quéant and Lagnicourt
"Combat Report: 1345 hrs, above Moreuil. Vickers two-seater: A5446. Motor: Beardmore No. 791. Occupants: Pilot Lieut. D'Arcy, observer, unknown, had no identification disc. Occupants dead, plane smashed, one machine gun...
Air Combat · 12 km east of Ficheux
"Combat Report: 1625 hrs, above Ficheux, south of Arras. FE two-seater was smashed, number etc. not recognisable. At 1615, five planes of our Staffel attacked enemy squadron south of Arras. The enemy approached our lines...
Air Combat · 12 km east of Ficheux
"First is a list of 29’s six pilots on this patrol, who took off from their base at le Hameau, at 1350 hours: Name DH2 Time Down Captain H. J. Payn 7849 1535 Lieutenant Dickson A2591 landed at le Bellevue Lieutenant C. H...
Testimonial · Near Douai
Testimony of Herman Lohmeyer (mechanic of Oblt. Wolff, Jasta 11): At the beginning of 1917 I joined Jagdstaffel 11 in the Douai-Arras area, at the time Manfred von Richthofen was our Staffelführer. From there it went to...
Air Combat · Near Metz-en-Couture
"Combat Report: 1615 hrs, near Metz-en-Coûture. Sopwith one-seater (lying south of this place), No. LTR5193. Motor: 80 hp Le Rhône No. 5187. A new type plane, never seen before, but as wings broken, barely discernable. O...
Air Combat · West of Vimy
"For some reason, one fine day I had the idea of painting my bird bright red. The result was that my red bird was an absolute eye-catcher. Even my opponents seemed to be aware of this. During one battle, which took place...
Appointment & medals ·
‘Then one day a telegram arrived: ’Lieutenant v. R. appointed leader of Jagdstaffel 11." I have to say, I was annoyed. I had worked so well with my comrades in Jagdstaffel Boelcke. Now starting all over again, settling i...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: Organisational changes: On 20 January 1917, Lt. Frhr. v. Richthofen (Jagdstaffel Boelcke) took over command of Jagdstaffel 11. The previous commander of Jagdstaffel 11, Oberlt. Lang...
Appointment & medals ·
After two days - we were sitting comfortably at the Boelcke fighter squadron and celebrating my farewell - a telegram arrived from headquarters to say that Your Majesty had had the good grace to award me the Pour le méri...
Air Combat · South of Lens
"Combat Report: 1610 hrs, above trenches south-west of Lens. No details, plane fell on the enemy's side. About 1610 I attacked, together with seven of my planes, enemy squadron, west of Lens. The plane I had singled out...
Air Combat · South of Lens
Just to show them how it was done, he led them over the English lines for the first time on January 23d and 'knocked down' the first victim to be registered on the unit's victory book. For Richthofen it was his seventeen...
Military Logs and Documents · South of Lens
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: Air combat successes: On 23 January, 1 English aircraft shot down by Lt. Frh. von Richthofen, J. St. 11, over Lens and crashed beyond the line. (17th Air Force)"
Air Combat · West of Vimy
"Victory 18 and emergency landing after loss of upper wing Combat Report: 1215 hrs, west of Vimy. Fixed motor: Plane No. 6937; Motor No. 748. Occupants: Pilot - Captain Craig. (Obs) Lieutenant McLennan. Accompanied by Fe...
Military Logs and Documents · West of Vimy
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: On 23 January, 1 English F.e. DD. 160 hp. Forced to land by Lt. Frh. von Richthofen, J. St. 11, near Vimy. (18 aircraft) Crew of 2 English officers captured, aircraft burned."
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! You are surely wondering why I haven't written. So much has happened in the meantime that I don't know what to write first. I have become commander of Fighter Squadron 11 in Douai. I was reluctant to leave my...
General Event ·
It came at a time when the German fighter force was starting to have problems with the Albatros D.II. His own machine had suffered a cracked wing the previous day, so that on 1 February he began flying a Halberstadt Scou...
Air Combat · 1 km SW of Thelus
"Combat Report: 1600 hrs. BE two-seater No. 6742. Over trenches, one kilometer south-west of Thelus. Occupants: Lieutenant Murray - Lieut McBar, both wounded and died 2 Feb. About 1600 I spotted, flying with Leutnant All...
General Event · La Brayelle, near Douai
Englische und französische Fliegerei
Air Combat · 1 km SW of Thelus
Twenty minutes after the pilot and his observer, both mortally wounded, were dragged from their airplane, a Canadian artillery battery blew it to splinters to deny it to the Germans. Its crew died the next day.
Military Logs and Documents · 1 km SW of Thelus
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: On 1 February 1917, an English B.E. two-seater was shot down 1 km south-west of Thelus by Lt. Frh. v. Richthofen, leader of J. St. 11 (as 19th). Crew: Pilot Captain Murray, observer...
Air Combat ·
Excerpt from Kurt Wolff's diary: "On the 6th, I attacked a B.E. at the same location with 50 rounds close up but it didn't go down. I shot it out with two Sopwiths (40 rounds) on the 10th, but Richthofen, who came along,...
Anecdote · Near Douai
The army might be on the defensive, and the Air Service, too, but not Richthofen. He spent the first two weeks of February going over tactics with his squadron and meeting with its members one at the time to discuss thei...
Air Combat · West of Loos
"Combat Report: 1200 hrs. BE two-seater. Lens-Hulloch road, west of Loos. Occupants: one killed, the other severely wounded. Name of pilot: Lieutenant Bonnet (died). No details concerning plane, as wreckage landed in the...
Air Combat · SW of Mazingarbe
"(probably) Capt. George Cyril Bailey DSO (WIA); 2/Lt. George William Betts Hampton (unhurt).aircraft actually returned to base safely. Combat Report: 1645 hrs, BE two-seater. Station, 1.500 metres south-west of Mazingar...
Relocation & trips ·
Again Richthofen was flying a Halberstadt, and, as stated, had been visiting his old Jasta 2 (Boelcke) at Lagnicourt and was on his way back to Brayelles, via the front.
Air Combat · West of Loos
He said in his report that the pilot had been killed in the air and the observer seriously wounded when the B.E.2 crashed into German trenches. The opposite was true. Second Lieutenant H. A. Croft, the observer, was prob...
Military Logs and Documents · West of Loos
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 1 o'clock N. an English DD two-seater, east of Loos within our lines by Lt. Frhr.v.Richthofen (20th)."
Military Logs and Documents · SW of Mazingarbe
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: In addition, at 5 o'clock N., another English aircraft in Loosbagen, beyond the lines (as 21), was shot down by Lt. Frhr. von Richthofen."
Military Logs and Documents · Near Douai
"To the Commander of the Sixth Army air forces: The adversary often slips downward over one wing or lets himself fall like a dead leaf in order to shake off an attack. In order to stick to one adversary, one must on no a...
Testimonial ·
"As he told an officer from the General Staff: "I have never had anything to do with 'Kanonen', that is, with combat-proven, experienced airmen. Only with beginners. I do not always receive ... I request; it is not the w...
General Event ·
...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...
Testimonial ·
"Lothar von Richthofen recalled his brother's early combat missions with Karl Allmenröder and Kurt Wolff: "At the time both had no experience at all and in aerial combat beginners have more fear than love of the Fatherla...
Relocation & trips · Jastaschule Famars
From time to time, Jasta leaders would be summoned to conferences to discuss the changing circumstances at the front. This particular gathering was at the Jastaschule at Famars. Richthofen is sixth from the left in his f...
Military Logs and Documents · Near Douai
"The English single-seater pilots always fly in squad formation when on pursuit work. Reconnoitering and artillery fire is also now carried on by squads of two-seater machines, sometimes containing as many as twenty mach...
Air Combat · 1 km N of Loos
"aircraft actually returned to base safely. Combat Report: 1250 hrs, one kilometre north of Loos. BE two-seater. Details unknown, plane fell on enemy's side. I had started all by myself and was just looking for my Staffe...
Air Combat ·
"Combat Report: 1620 hrs, Acheville. Sopwith two-seater. Occupants: Lieutenant W Reid and Lieutenant H Green, both killed, buried by local command at Bois Bernard. Accompanied by five of my planes, I attacked an enemy sq...
Military Logs and Documents · 1 km N of Loos
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 12.50 Afternoon. 1st Fdl. B.E. DD north of Loos by Lt.Frh.v.Richthofen, Leader J.St. 11."
Military Logs and Documents ·
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 4.20 Afternoon. 1 Sopwith shot down near Acheville by Lt. Frh.v.Richthofen (as 23)."
Testimonial ·
..."Yesterday, the Staffel shot down no less than five English apparatuses, two of which crashed on fire, one burst in the air and two others smashed to the ground. The Lords must have been amazed. Richthofen has now arr...
Air Combat ·
"Combat Report: 1700 hrs, BE two-seater. Souchez. Details unknown, as plane landed on enemy's side. Together with Leutnant Allmenröder, I attacked two enemy artillery flyers at a low altitude over the other side (of the...
Air Combat ·
06-Mar-17: Lt E L Benbow in FE8 A4871, an Albatros scout in flames. RFC Communique No 24 states: Lt E L Benbow, 40 Squadron, drove down a hostile machine which also fell in flames near Givenchy.
Air Combat ·
"While Manfred von Richthofen achieved his 24th victory on the afternoon of 6 March, her very nearly did not survive the morning. As he recorded in both his book and in a letter home, he was shot down at this time. The d...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 5.0 After. 1 fdl. F.E. Two-seater at Souchez by Lt. Frhr. v. Richthofen (as 24)"
Air Combat ·
"Schwarm I, led by Richthofen, took off at around 10:00 am, and as Schäfer later wrote: 'It was pretty hazy that morning. Geschwader II conducted a long flight without seeing a single Englishman. Schwarm I took off at 10...
Air Combat ·
...Manfred's victory curve is rising steeply. I am experiencing all of this, but - how could it be otherwise! - there is also enough anxiety and worry in my thoughts. I know only too well how often the death of the fight...
Air Combat · Between Roclincourt and Bailleul
"Combat Report: 1155 hrs, Vickers one-seater. No. on tail AMC 3425a. Between Roclincourt and Bailleul, this side of the line, 500 metres behind trenches. Occupant: Not recognisable, as completely burnt. With three of my...
Military Logs and Documents · Between Roclincourt and Bailleul
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 12:00 noon. 1 Vickers single-seater shot down near Roclincourt by Lt. Freiherr von Richthofen, leader of J.ST. 11 (as 25th)."
Air Combat · S of La Folie Wood, Vimy
Combat Report: 1200 hrs, BE two-seater, south of La Folie Wood, near Vimy. Occupants: Lieutenant Byrne and Lieutenant Smythe, 40 Squadron. Both killed. Plane No. 6232, details of motor not at hand, as motor dashed into e...
Military Logs and Documents · S of La Folie Wood, Vimy
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 12:00 noon. 1 B.E. two-seater near Vimy on this side of our line by Lt. Freiherr von Richthofen (as 26th)."
General Event ·
"On 11 March 1917, Generaloberst Ludwig von Falkenhausen paid a visit to Jagdstaffel 11 at their La Brayelle airfield. Here he is pictured in the entrance of the field office hut, together with MvR, on this occasion."
Press ·
Probably one of the first mentioning of MvR in the press. (G. Vanwyngarden). The text on the picture reads: "Lieutenant Frhr. v. Richthofen (in fur on the left), the outstanding pilot officer, who won victories over 26 e...
Air Combat ·
"Combat Report: 1130 hrs, Oppy, Vickers two-seater No. A3439. Motor No. 854. Machine guns: 19633 and 19901. About 1130 I attacked with nine of my machines, an enemy squadron of 15 aircraft. During the fight I managed to...
Air Combat · West of Vimy
Combat Report: 1700 hrs, above trenches west of Vimy. BE two-seater. No details, as plane landed between the lines. I had spotted an enemy infantry flyer. Several attacks directed from above produced no results, especial...
Military Logs and Documents · West of Vimy
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 5:00 p.m. near Souchez (beyond) by Lt. Frhr v. Richthofen (as 28th)"
Air Combat ·
"On 19 March, the army report showed the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth, and the Silesian Provincial Diet sent a congratulatory telegram to the field: 'We commemorate the heroic warrior, a son of our Silesian homeland,...
Anecdote · Near Douai
Richthofen rarely saw his victims' bodies. Orderlies were sent to the crash sites to get information necessary for reports and to collect souvenirs. Several days after his double victory of the 17th, however, he received...
Air Combat · Hill 123, N of Neuville
Combat Report: 1730 hrs, BE two-seater. Hill 123, north of Neuville. Plane details unknown, as plane came down on enemy's territory. Message came through that enemy planes had been seen at 1.000 metres altitude in spite...
Military Logs and Documents · Hill 123, N of Neuville
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 5.25 near Neuville (beyond) by Lt. Frhr.v.Richthofen (as 29th)."
Air Combat ·
Combat Report: 1155 hrs, Givenchy. Spad No. 6607, with Hispano Suiza 140 hp motor. The first encountered here. Machine gun No. 4810. Occupant: Lieutenant Baker. I was flying with several of my gentlemen when I observed a...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 11:55 a.m. 1 Nieuport-Spad single-seater with Hispano-Suizia engine near Vimy (this side) by Oblt. Frhr.v.Richthofen, J.St. 11 (as 30) occupant captured, aircraft destroyed."
Air Combat ·
Combat Report: 0820 hrs, Tilloy. Nieuport one-seater - burnt. Occupant: Lieutenant Grivert - English. An enemy squadron had passed our lines. I went up, overtaking their last machine. After only a very few shots, the ene...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 8:20 a.m. 1 Nieuport single-seater near Tilloy (this side) by Oblt. Frhr. v. Richthofen J.St.11, (as 31st) 1 English officer captured, aircraft burned."
MvR correspondance · Jagdstaffel 11, 6. Armee. Im Felde, den 31.3.1917
‘Dear Mr Brauneck! I have just received your letter and want to answer it straight away. I remember that Lynker had already written to me about you, and one recommendation from this marvellous man is enough for me. That'...
Air Combat ·
"Combat Report: 0835 hrs, Farbus village. BE two-seater No. 5841, motor: PD 1345/80. Occupants: both killed. Name of one - Lieutenant Powell. The second occupant had no documents or identification. I attacked an enemy ar...
Air Combat ·
Combat Report: 1115 hrs Givenchy. Sopwith two-seater A2401. Motor: Clerget Blin without number, Type 2. Occupants: Sergeant Dunn and Lieutenant Warrens. Together with Leutnants Voss and Lothar von Richthofen, I attacked...
Air Combat ·
"The flying Uhlan took a photograph of the wrecked plane in which he killed Lieutenant J. C. Powell and Air Gunner P. Bonner. It remains, with his notations on the back of it, in one of his several scrapbooks in his moth...
Air Combat ·
"Concerning the visit of the two brothers to the scene of Powell and Bonner's fatal crash, Lothar wrote: "It was a sad sight which we saw. Half of the machine was hanging from a roof, and the other half was on the ground...
Air Combat ·
"But now comes the third account of the affair, and this one is from Lieutenant Peter Warren, who was the pilot of the plane Richthofen shot down. His observer was Sergeant R. Dunn, and Dunn died shortly after the plane...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 8:35 a.m. 1 F.E. two-seater near Farbus (this side) by Oblt. Frhr.v.Richthofen, J.St. 11, (as 32nd) 2 occupants dead."
Military Logs and Documents ·
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 11:20 a.m., 1 Sopwith two-seater near Givenchy (this side) by Oblt. Frhr. von Richthofen, J.St.11 (as 33rd) 1 occupant dead, the other captured.’
Air Combat · Between Lens and Liévin
Combat Report: 1615 hrs, between Lens and Lieven. Vickers two-seater, NO. 6382. Motor unrecognisable. Occupants: Pilot: Lieutenant O'Beirne, killed. Observer: McDonald. Together with Leutnant Schäfer and Leutnant Lothar...
Air Combat ·
...The further reports came like hammer blows, on April 3 the thirty-second victory;...
Military Logs and Documents · Between Lens and Liévin
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: afternoon. F.E. two-seater near Lens (this side) by Oblt. Frhr.von Richthofen, J.St. (as 34th)’
Air Combat · Lewarde, S of Douai
Combat Report: 1115 hrs, Lewarde, south of Douai. Bristol two-seater No 3340. Motor No. 10443. Occupants: Lieutenant McLickler and Lieutenant George; both seriously wounded. It was foggy and altogether very bad weather w...
Air Combat ·
Combat Report: 1130 hrs, Cuincy. Bristol two-seater. Occupants: Pilot : Lieutenant Adams, Observer: Lieutenant Steward - unwounded. Plane details not at hand as machine was burned. After having put the first adversary ne...
Attack · Near Douai
Am späten Abend greifen britische Bomber den Flugplatz La Brayelle an.
Military Logs and Documents · Lewarde, S of Douai
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 11:00 a.m. 1 enemy aircraft near Quincy (this side) by Oblt. Frhr. von Richthofen. J.St.11 (as 35th)’
Military Logs and Documents ·
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 11:00 a.m. 1 enemy aircraft near Lewarde (this side) by Oblt. Frhr. von Richthofen. J.St.11 (as 36th)’
Air Combat ·
"...on April 6, the Schweidnitz "Daily Review" already reported to me the thirty-sixth kill."
Air Combat ·
Combat Report: 1745 hrs, Mercatel, other side of our lines. Nieuport one-seater, English; details not at hand. I attacked, together with four of my gentlemen, an enemy squadron of six Nieuport machines, south of Arras an...
Air Combat · Near Farbus
Combat Report: 1140 hrs, near Farbus. Sopwith two-seater. Occupants: Lieutenant Heagerty, wounded; Lieutenant Heath-Cantle, killed. Details of plane not to hand, as plane is lying in shellfire and is also dashed to piece...
Air Combat ·
Combat Report: 1640 hrs, Vimy, this side of the lines. BE2 No. A2815. Occupants: Both killed, name of one - Davidson. Remnants distributed over more than one kilometre. I was flying and surprised an English artillery fly...
Testimonial ·
'From: Letters from a German fighter pilot to a young girl by Erwin Böhme. This morning I visited Richthofen, who has now become a cavalry captain. He had just shot down number 38. It is amazing how far he has brought hi...
Military Logs and Documents · Near Farbus
"Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 11:40 a.m. 1 Sopwith two-seater near Farbus (this side) by Rittm. Frhr. von Richthofen, J.St.11 (as 38th)"
Military Logs and Documents ·
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 4:40 p.m. 1 Bristol-D.D. near Vimy (this side) by Rittm.Frhr.von Richthofen, J.ST.11 (as 39th)’
Military Logs and Documents ·
"To the Engineer Department, Berlin, Adlershof, via C.O. Air Forces, 6th Army. Subject: Breaking of wing of Albatros D.III 2-23-16. On April 8th, 1917, Sergeant Festner's machine broke its left lower wing at an altitude...
Air Combat ·
"fell inside Allied Lines Combat Report: 0925 hrs, Willerval, this side of the lines. BE two-seater; details cannot be given, as English attacked this part of the Front, thus making communication with front lines impossi...
Military Logs and Documents · Near Douai
"Among the chief properties of a good pursuit plane (he wrote in a secret opinion to the technical staff) are the following: a good plane must not lose altitude even when curving and after flying and turning several time...
Military Logs and Documents ·
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 9.25 a.m. 1 B.E. D.D. at Willerval (this side) by Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen, J.St.11 (as 40th)’
Testimonial ·
"On the evening of 11 April, Prof Dr Georg Wegener, a correspondent for Die Kölnische Zeitung, had arrived at La Brayelle. To impress this guest, Richthofen had a telescope set up so that Wegener could watch the Staffel...
Air Combat · Between Vitry and Brebières
Combat Report: 0858 hrs, between Vitry and Brebières. New Body DD: plane burnt. Occupants: Lieutenant M A Woat and Steward (Thomas) both killed. Motor No. 3759; fixed Motor V-shaped, 12 cylinders. With six planes of my S...
Air Combat · Between Monchy and Feuchy-
Combat report: 1245 hrs, between Monchy and Feuchy. Vickers two-seater, details unknown, as plane downed beyond enemy lines. Together with Leutnant Simon, I attacked a Vickers two-seater, coming back from German territor...
Air Combat · Noyelles-Godault, near Hénin-Liétard
Combat Report: 1935 hrs, Noyelles-Godault, near Henin Liétard. Vickers two-seater, No. 4997. Motor No. 917, 8 cylinder stand. Motor. Occupants: Lieutenants Bates and Barnes, both killed. With three planes of my Staffel,...
Testimonial ·
‘Excerpt from a letter from Elisabeth Papendieck (born Brauneck), sister of Lt Otto Brauneck (Jasta 11) to Albert Flipts: ...he, together with a friend, reported to MvR....He then obtained a letter from von Richthofen at...
Air Combat · Near Douai
‘Lothar is a ’shooter" and not a huntsman My father makes a distinction between a hunter (huntsman) and a shooter who just enjoys shooting. When I have shot down an Englishman, my passion for hunting is calmed for the ne...
MvR correspondance ·
"As a matter of fact, I had been allowed to bag only forty-one. Anyone will be able to guess why the number was fixed at forty-one. Just for that reason, I wanted to avoid that figure. I am not out for breaking records....
Anecdote ·
"Lothar writes: The squadron was divided into two groups, which meant that half the squadron always flew together. My brother flew as squadron leader, sometimes with one group, sometimes with the other. My group was led...
Military Logs and Documents · Between Vitry and Brebières
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 8.56 (sic) a.m. 1 F.E. (sic) D.D. near Vitry (this side) by Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen, J.St. 11 (as 41st)’
Military Logs and Documents · Between Monchy and Feuchy-
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 12:45 p.m. 1 F.E. D.D. west of Monchy (beyond) by Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen, J.St.11 (as 42nd)’
Military Logs and Documents · Noyelles-Godault, near Hénin-Liétard
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 7.30 N. 1F.E. -D.D. near Henin-Lietard (this side) by Rittm. Frhr.v.Richthofen, J.St.11 (as 43rd)’
Appointment & medals ·
General Event ·
‘The most beautiful creature the world has ever created is the real Great Dane from Ulm, my ‘little lap dog’, ‘Moritz’. I bought him in Ostend from a good Belgian for five marks. His mother was a beautiful animal, as was...
Air Combat · 1 km S of Bois Bernard
Combat Report: 0915 hrs, one kilometre south of Bois Bernard, this side of lines. Nieuport one-seater, No. 6796 ; motor No. 8341/IB Rotary. Occupant: Lieutenant W O Russell, made prisoner. Above Harlex, one of our observ...
Testimonial ·
"When the young hero Boelcke fell, a deep mourning swept through the German people, accompanied by the feeling: 'We will never see his like again. ' But the oath that the air force took at Boelcke's grave to keep his spi...
Military Logs and Documents · 1 km S of Bois Bernard
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 9:15 a.m. 1 Nieuport single-seater near Fresnoy (this side) by Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen. J.St.11 (as 44th)’
Anecdote ·
Over time, you end up on many fronts. What I am about to tell you took place at Cambrai. In beautiful weather, my brother and I flew alone to the front. Explosions can be seen in the north. As we approach, a single Engli...
Air Combat · Between Bailleul and Gavrelle-Allied side of Lines.
Combat Report: 1730 hrs, between Bailleul and Gavrelle. BE two-seater. No details as plane fell on other side. When pursuit-flying (height of clouds 1.000 metres) I observed an artillery flyer at 800 metres altitude; app...
Appointment & medals ·
MvR wird das Ritterkreuz des sächsischen 'Militär-St. Heinrichs-Ordens' verliehen.
Testimonial ·
Richthofen is a remarkable person who cast a spell over us. He is able to inspire us and mold us into a very close-knit group. Each looked out for the other and Richthofen looked out for all of us. He demanded courage, d...
General Event · Between Arras and Cambrai
Schäfers Notlandung zwischen den Linien
Testimonial ·
"Otto Brauneck, who was transferred to Jasta 11 on 9 April 1917, wrote to his parents on 20 April 1917: 'Everyone is very nice, especially Richthofen, who you don't address as Rittmeister but only by his name, who is of...
Testimonial ·
"I met the 'older' Richthofen at Jasta 4 in Douai on the 17th. But that of course is the wrong expression and he made a great impression on me. He is actually quite young, 24 years old, and charming to be around. Once yo...
Air Combat · Near Lagnicourt
Combat Report: 1710 hrs, near Lagnicourt. Vickers two-seater. No details, as plane fell on the other side of line. When my Staffel was attacking enemy squadron, I personally attacked the last of the enemy planes. Immedia...
Military Logs and Documents · Near Lagnicourt
‘kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 5.10 N. 1 enemy aircraft near Cagnicourt (beyond) by Rittm. Frhr. v. Richthofen, J.St.11 (as 46th)’
Air Combat ·
Combat Report: 1205 hrs, Mericourt, this side of the lines. BE two-seater. No details, as plane broke in the air and was scattered in falling. I observed an artillery flyer, approached him unnoticed, and shot at him from...
General Event ·
Jasta 11 Festner, Schäfer, Manfred, Lothar, Kurt Wolff. Picture made into a postcard: Sanke card 511.
MvR correspondance ·
"Dear Mum! I plan to come home at the beginning of May, but first I want to go on a capercaillie expedition, to which I have already been invited and am very much looking forward. Then I am invited to breakfast with the...
Anecdote ·
‘Lothar recounts: “After the tenth kill, we received a picture of my brother with his signature at the squadron. I had earned and received this just three days earlier.”’
Military Logs and Documents ·
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 12.13 N. 1 B.E.D.D. near Avion (beyond) by Rtm. Frhr.v.Richthofen,J.St11 (as 47th).’
Military Logs and Documents ·
"On Thursday 26 April Jasta 11's daily message traffic brought news that, on orders of Kaiser Wilhelm, the unit would henceforth bear the name Jagdstaffel Richthofen. Jasta 11 was only the second aviation unit to have su...
Air Combat · E of Pelves, SE edge of Square 6998
Combat Report: 0930 hrs, Wood east of Pelves, south-east corner of Square 6998, this side of line. BE2. Pilot: Lieutenant Follit, killed. Observer: F I Kirckham, slightly injured. While on pursuit-flying, about 0930, I a...
Military Logs and Documents · E of Pelves, SE edge of Square 6998
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 9.30 V. 1 fdl. Aircraft near Pelves (this side) by Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen Richthofen Fighter Squadron (as 48th).’
Air Combat · Near Lecluse
Combat Report: 1205 hrs, Swamps near Lecluse, this side of the lines. Spad one-seater. No details concerning plane, as it vanished in a swamp. With several of my gentlemen, I attacked an English Spad group consisting of...
Air Combat · SW of Inchy, Hill 90, near Pronville
Combat Report: 1655 hrs, south-west of Inchy, Hill 90, near Pariville, this side of the lines. Vickers 2. Occupants: Capt G Stead RFC. No details concerning the plane, went down burning in first line. I attacked, togethe...
Air Combat · Near Roeux
Combat Report: 1925 hrs, near Roeux, this side of the lines. BE DD 2. No details, as plane is under fire. Together with my brother, we each of us attacked an artillery flyer at low altitude. After a short fight my advers...
Air Combat · Between Billy-Montigny and [[Sallaumines] over Vimy]
Combat Report: 1940 hrs, between Billy-Montighny and Sallaumines, this side of lines. No details concerning enemy plane as it was burnt. Soon after having shot down a BE near Rouex, we were attacked by a strong enemy one...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"A glorious, hot April morning! We are standing in front of our birds, waiting for a report. Then the telephone rings. Busy air traffic south of Arras! A nod to the launch officer, the alarm bell rings, and suddenly the...
Anecdote ·
"A description by the Berlin correspondent of the Allgemeines Handelsblad The reporter observed the flirtatious manoeuvres of an English pilot who, enveloped by the bursting shrapnel of German anti-aircraft guns, seemed...
Military Logs and Documents · Near Lecluse
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 12.15 N. 1 enemy aircraft near Lecluse (this side) shot down by Rtm. Frhr. v.Richthofen Richthofen fighter squadron (as 49th)’
Military Logs and Documents · SW of Inchy, Hill 90, near Pronville
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 4.55 N. 1 enemy aircraft near Inchy (diess.) by Rttm. Frhr. v. Richthofen. Richthofen fighter squadron (as 50th).’
Military Logs and Documents · Near Roeux
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 7.25 N. 1 enemy aircraft near Roeux (between the lines) shot down by German Cavalry Captain Frhr. v. Richthofen, Richthofen Fighter Squadron (as 51st)’
Military Logs and Documents · Between Billy-Montigny and [[Sallaumines] over Vimy]
‘Kofl 6th Army Weekly Activity Report: 7.45 N. 1 enemy Triplane near Lens (this side) by German Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen, Richthofen Fighter Squadron, (as 52nd).’
Air Combat · Near Lecluse
"According to the survivor of this encounter, Lieutenant W. N. Hamilton, the British patrol was not an ordinary one, but one especially ordered to deal with the Baron and his pilots..... ...His commanding officer was Maj...
Testimonial · Markebeke
On the ground, after duty, Richthofen was like a boy with a wonderful sense of humour. While Jagdgeschwader I was stationed at Marckebeeke, Richthofen nicknamed (WIlhelm-Gisbert) Groos 'Count Groos of Marckebeeke'. Major...
Appointment & medals ·
Transkription des kaiserlichen Glückwunschtelegramms
Relocation & trips · Hotel Oranienhof
‘Flight home Fifty are shot down. I thought fifty-two was better. That's why I shot down two more on the same day. It actually went against the agreement. I had actually only been allowed forty-one; anyone can guess why...
Relocation & trips · Hotel Oranienhof
After the meeting with Hoeppner, Richthofen toured almost every department in the building, including 'Airplanes', which recorded air victories, kept track of personnel, systematized the structure of all units, handled s...
Relocation & trips · Hotel Oranienhof
"It was on 1 May 1917 when I said goodbye to my squadron in the morning and flew to Gr. H.-Qu. I sat in the back as Franz. Our first stop was Cologne. This is the first holiday I am taking armed with the Pour le Mérite,...
Relocation & trips · Hotel Oranienhof
"Manfred von Richthofen was in the company of some of the most important people in Germany on his 25th - and last - birthday. In the morning he reported to the luxurious Hotel Oranienhof, which had become the General Sta...
Relocation & trips · Hotel Oranienhof
'The next day, I had to introduce myself to Hindenburg and Ludendorff. As usual, Hindenburg was swamped with civilians and uniformed personnel during visiting hours, so I spoke little with him. I sat in Ludendorff's ante...
Relocation & trips ·
‘The next day I was invited to lunch with Her Majesty and travelled to Homburg for this purpose. There I had breakfast with Her Majesty, was also presented with a birthday present, and I had the great pleasure of perform...
Appointment & medals ·
"Richthofen found his midday appointment at the Kurhaus much more to his liking. He recalled: "It was my birthday and someone must have divulged that to His Majesty and so he congratulated me. First on my success, then o...
Relocation & trips ·
"Richthofen, too, was no courtier, but he knew the role he had to play. The following day Ltn Krefft, who delayed his own leave to enjoy life among the luminaries of the German Empire, flew Richthofen to Bad Homburg vor...
Relocation & trips ·
"At noon the next day, I was with the Emperor. It was exactly as I had imagined. I cannot imagine that I would play a good role as an aide-de-camp, and therefore admire Count Dohna for how he manages to do so, as I feel...
Relocation & trips · Hotel Oranienhof
‘In the evening, I was invited to Hindenburg's residence again. No fewer than eight Pour Le Mérite knights were seated at one table. I will probably never see so many of them together again, unless the war lasts so long...
Relocation & trips · in der Nähe von Leipzig
The next day I flew to Freiburg to shoot a capercaillie there. From Freiburg I took a plane that flew to Berlin. I filled up with petrol in Nuremberg. A thunderstorm came up. But I was in an urgent hurry to get to Berlin...
Press ·
"WTB (Wollfs Telegraphisches Bureau). Berlin, 4 May. "The British have assembled an aeroplane squadron of volunteer pilots whose sole aim is to destroy the most successful German fighter pilot, Rittmeister Freiherr v. Ri...
Relocation & trips ·
‘The next day, I visited the Empress in the afternoon. The feeling was similar to that with Hindenburg: here was a charming elderly lady, whom one could compare to an old aunt or one's own grandmother, and in whose prese...
Appointment & medals ·
weiter Besuch im Großen Hauptquartier.
MvR correspondance ·
"I do not want to over-react, but I have the sinister feeling that the gentlemanly British will not be able to settle the matter quite so according to plan as they have imagined. By way of example, what will happen if i...
MvR correspondance ·
It had just become known that the English had put a bounty on my brother's head. Every pilot over there knew him because he was still flying a red-painted plane on his own at the time. That's why it had long been our wis...
MvR correspondance ·
" Dear Mum! I'm sure you're very angry with me for being in Germany for almost eight days now without writing to tell you where I am. I'm here in Freiburg on a capercaillie and will stay until the 14th. Then I have to go...
Appointment & medals ·
MvR receives the Knight's Cross with Swords, of the Ducal Saxe-Ernestine House Order, from the Duchy of Coburg and Gotha
MvR correspondance ·
"A telegram arrived from Manfred. I opened it and read that Lothar had been wounded in the hip after shooting down his twenty-fourth opponent; his condition was not serious, however, and it would take a few weeks to heal...
Relocation & trips ·
Aufenthalt in Berlin - MvR wird Fotografiert (für die Sanke-Postkarten?)
Anecdote · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
'Lothar writes: When Manfred achieved his fiftieth aerial victory, he was summoned to the Grand Headquarters. He quickly shot down his fifty-first and fifty-second targets in one flight and then flew off to report on 2 M...
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
‘A few days later, I arrived in my home town of Schweidnitz. Although it was seven o'clock in the morning, a whole crowd had gathered at the railway station. The welcome was warm. In the afternoon, I was honoured with va...
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR diktiert seine Autobiografie
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR ist berühmt
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR und seine 'Braut'
MvR correspondance · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
‘Now I have written a book. It has been published by Ullstein and is called ’Der rote Kampfflieger" (The Red Fighter Pilot). Every day I receive letters and cards from people who tell me how much they enjoyed ‘Der rote K...
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Infanterie-, Artillerie- und Aufklärungsflieger
Testimonial ·
Richthofen was a born leader. Sharp as a razor in service matters; at all times fair, especially in the air over the Front. He saw everything. He gave new men in the Jasta every chance to score a victory. He gave away ma...
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
nicht in der Türkei
Relocation & trips · Hotel Oranienhof
‘He stays in Bad Kreuznach for a second time and meets Kaiser Wilhelm II. He then travels to his squadron, which had moved to Harlebeeke on 8 June.’
MvR correspondance · Hotel Oranienhof
"During Richthofen's second visit to Bad Kreuznach he met Czar Ferdinand of Bulgaria, who made a special impression on him: "The Czar is a tall, stately gentleman with an angularly hooked eagle-nose and a very intelligen...
Appointment & medals · Hotel Oranienhof
The ace was needed back at the front. He received orders cancelling his extended leave, and on June 10th, he reported for duty at General Headquarters at Kreuznach. There followed two days of conferences and lunches with...
Relocation & trips · Hotel Oranienhof
‘On 10 June, I reported back to the ’Kogen" from my trip to the Orient, which I had not taken. On the same day, the King of Bulgaria was at headquarters, and I had the opportunity to be introduced to him during a visit t...
Relocation & trips · Lazaret Douai
Albrecht vR besucht seine Fliegersöhne.
Anecdote · Lazaret Douai
Manfred was also extremely attached to his famous red bird. He shot down nineteen to fifty-two enemies with this machine. One day, Schäfer also wanted to fly the red bird. When he returned from the flight, he declared in...
Air Combat · Hof Struywe, Square V.42
Combat Report: 1315 hrs. Hof Struywe, Square V.42., this side of the line. RE2 (burnt). Accompanied by my Staffel, I attacked at 2.500 metres north of Ypres, on this side of the line, an English artillery RE. I fired fro...
MvR correspondance · Bavikhove?
Oskar Schäffer und Georg Zeumer tot
MvR correspondance · Harelbeke, Bavikhove
"Dear Mum! Now that I'm back here, I'm continuing to work hard. I've just shot down No. 53. In Kreuznach, on the way back, I was invited to visit S. M. again, where I met the King of Bulgaria, who awarded me the Cross of...
Military Logs and Documents · Hof Struywe, Square V.42
‘Kofl 4th Army Weekly Activity Report: 1.15 p.m. 1 R.E. DD between the lines east of Ypres by Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen (Jasta 11)’
Relocation & trips · Krankenhaus Bethanien
Lothar is already feeling much better. Manfred visited him in Hamburg.
MvR correspondance · Voss' parents home at Blumentalstraße 75
"Letter from the Voss family via a private source. "I would be grateful if I could learn the addresses of both of the charming young ladies. I think that within eight to fourteen days Werner will also become leader of a...
Military Logs and Documents · North of Ieper
‘Kofl 4th Army Weekly Activity Report: 9.15 p.m. 1 Spad beyond northern Ypres.’
Air Combat · Between Keibergmolen (former windmill, located in Beselare) and Lichtensteinlager.
Combat Report: 0910 hrs, between Keibergmolen and Lichtensteinlager, this side of the lines. De Havilland DD. With six machines of my Staffel, I attacked enemy squad consisting of two reconnaissance planes and ten fighte...
Military Logs and Documents · Markebeke
According to a telegram from Crown Prince Rupprecht's Army Group (Ic 20706), Fighter Wing I is to be formed immediately from Fighter Squadrons 4, 6, 10 and 11, which are currently assigned to the 4th Army. The wing is a...
Military Logs and Documents · Between Keibergmolen (former windmill, located in Beselare) and Lichtensteinlager.
‘Kofl 4th Army Weekly Activity Report: 9:30 a.m. 1 Bristol DD. This side near Becelaere.’
Appointment & medals · Markebeke
Named commander of Jagdgeschwader 1
Air Combat · Near Le Bizet
Combat Report: 1840 hrs, above trenches near le Bizet, other side of the line. RE plane. I was flying together with Leutnant Allmenröder. We spotted an enemy artillery flyer whose wings broke off in my machine gun fire....
Military Logs and Documents · Marke
"As Gen von Hoeppner pointed out in his memoirs: "Due to his number and his sporting spirit, the Englishman was always our most dangerous enemy and the British Front required, as a matter of course, the main force of the...
Military Logs and Documents · Near Le Bizet
‘Kofl 4th Army Weekly Activity Report: 7.20 p.m. 1 R.E. beyond eastern Ploegsteert Forest.’
Appointment & medals · Markebeke
Order to build Jagdgeschwader 1
General Event ·
‘Manfred got his fighter squadron, consisting of four squadrons. In the meantime, he shot down his 54th, 55th and 56th generals. The newspapers report the death of Lieutenant Karl Allmenroeder. One piece of bad news afte...
Testimonial · Markebeke
Böhme recalls: Shortly, I will have the pleasure of seeing my brother's brother-in-law Kohlstein, who wants to paint Richthofen, here on the Western Front. When I was with Richthofen for that reason a few days ago, I fou...
Military Logs and Documents · Verlag Ullstein & Co, Berlin SW 68, Zimmerstrasse 88/89
War Books 29 June 1917 Contract Between First Lieutenant Baron Manfred von R i c h t h o f e n and the firm Ullstein & Co, Berlin, the following agreement has been made: §1. Mr. von Richthofen transfers to the firm Ullst...
General Event · Castle of Baron de Bethune
Prof. Arnold Busch draws MvR in the field.
General Event · Markebeke
‘At the end of June 1917, an orderly burst excitedly into the soup that had just been placed on the table for the gentlemen of the Boelcke hunting squadron in a château near Cambrai. ‘Take it easy,’ said the adjutant dis...
Saint-Joseph's Church of the Carmelites Brothers
Allmenröder was shot down and killed in action 27 June 1917. A funeral service was organised before Allmenröder's body was transferred to his final resting place in Solingen-Wald, Germany.
Relocation & trips · Markebeke
‘Instruction and powers of the commander It. Kogenluft 64683 Fl. II of 27. 6. 17. For the purpose of uniting the four Jagdstaffeln in one airport, terrain southwest of Courtrai: Marcke, Marckebeeke, Bisseghem is assigned...
Air Combat ·
‘2. 7. 1917. Deulemont, between the lines, 10.20 in the morning. I attacked the foremost aeroplane of an enemy squadron. The observer collapsed at the first shots. The pilot was fatally shot shortly afterwards. The R.E....
General Event · Markebeke
‘The next morning at the crack of dawn, a field grey car left Cambrai in the direction of Kortryk and around noon that day, 2 July 1917, the new adjutant of Fighter Squadron I arrived at Marckebeeke airfield near Courtra...
Military Logs and Documents ·
‘Kofl 4th Army Weekly Activity Report: 10.20 a.m. An R.E. beyond in the Waasten area.’
Military Logs and Documents · Markebeke
Draft of a strength report for the staff, including, in addition to the three positions mentioned, one doctor, one paymaster and 62 (+4 seconded) non-commissioned officers and enlisted men, submitted to Kogenluft for app...
Appointment & medals · Markebeke
Jastas 4,6,10, 11 commanded by JG1
Testimonial · Castle of Baron de Bethune
"Arrived in Courtrai around 12:00 p.m. and reported to Hauptmann Altvater... ...Altvater announced my arrival by telephone to the Richthofen Jagdstaffel, which picked me up by car at 3:00 p/m/ to their nearby château. Vo...
Appointment & medals · Markebeke
‘Oblt. von Doering, leader of Jasta 4 - himself slightly wounded - becomes Richthofen's deputy. In the meantime, he will continue to take normal shifts.’
General Event · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"In the afternoon, Bodenschatz, Dostler, Doering and Wolff pile into a car and drive there. ‘You can't speak to Mr Rittmeister,’ says the nurse. ‘Why not?’ all four shout almost simultaneously and become restless. ‘Becau...
Air Combat ·
A lieutenant in an air-observation post about a mile away had seen Richthofen's fall through his telescope and rushed to the spot under the two circling scouts. When he and a corporal reached Richthofen, they found him u...
Air Combat ·
"The man who shot Richthofen down that 6th of July morning was Flight Commander Albert Edward Woodbridge, who was a Second Lieutenant at the time and was acting as observer for Pilot Captain D. C. Cunnell, commanding a w...
General Event · Kortrijksestraat 74, Kortrijk
Since July 6th, Staff Office Marckebeeke, KortrijkseStr. 74.
Air Combat ·
"On a wonderful day (6 July 1917), I went on a fighter mission with my squadron. We had been flying around between Ypres and Armentières for quite a while without really getting into a fight. Then I saw a squadron over t...
Military Logs and Documents ·
James F. Miller's analysis of MvR's headwound incident.
Air Combat ·
"On the ground not far away was a German observation post, manned on this day by Leutnant Hans Schröder. After the war he wrote a book An Airman Remembers. A former soldier and airman observer, he used to seeing air batt...
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
Suddenly, there was great excitement at Courtrai's Field Hospital 61 {76}. An attendant stormed into the hall: 'Sister, Richthofen has been wounded, shot in the head, he has just been assigned (to us) for admission! I tu...
Military Logs and Documents · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
R. Frhr. von R. is apparantly vaccinated as required. Family members and unit have been notified. a. Prehistory: During an enemy attack on an English squadron, R. Frhr. v. R. was going behind an English airplane and sudd...
Testimonial · Markebeke
"...There had been a hot time in Ghent. According to his comrades, Richthofen had been in higher spirits than ever before. Everybody, the Richthofen Staffel and the neighbouring Staffeln, took off at 11:00 a.m. (a magnif...
General Event · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
‘MvR with ‘Geschwaderstock’ and his nurse Käthe Oltersdorf (Fräulein Kätie) in the garden of the Sint-Niklaas Hospital (Field Hospital 76) in Kortrijk.
General Event · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
‘On 6 July 1917, Manfred von Richthofen was wounded in the head during an attack on British bombers. Despite damage to his optic nerve, he was able to make an emergency landing. In August, Major Albrecht von Richthofen,...
General Event · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
Lt. Reinhard visits MvR in Lazaret 76
Testimonial · Markebeke
"Von Schönebeck, who was personally instructed on how to fly the Fokker tripe by Richthofen on his arrival at Jasta 11, described the Baron in this manner: "He was about average height, stocky, dark blond with blue eyes....
Military Logs and Documents · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
c. Course of Illness: After the operation, still complaining of headaches. Maximum temperature 37.6 (99.7°F). Superficial dressing change.
Testimonial · Markebeke
Excerpt of letter from Lt. Otto Brauneck
Military Logs and Documents · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"Yesterday evening temperature 37.5 (99.5°F), headaches still persisit. Complete dressing change, wound looks good."
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
Excerpt of letter from Lt. Wolff
General Event · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
‘The first squadron to take off is Jagdstaffel 11, and no sooner have the aircraft disappeared into the grey sky than one of them returns. It is Lieutenant Wolff, who climbs out somewhat awkwardly and holds out his left...
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"Shortly after the first takeoff, a message came by telegraph that Lt. Wolff had been shot through the right hand but had landed his airplane safely and was then taken to the hospital, where he was now in a room together...
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
Excerpt from a letter from Otto Brauneck to his brother Hermann; ...Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen has been in the lazaret for over a fortnight now. It will be many weeks before he will be able to fly again.
Testimonial · Castle of Baron de Bethune
"Dear Lise! Don't be mad if I don't write to you much now. It's a very hectic life here, the airmen take off and return all day long, on nice days they go up 4 times and you can imagine that all sorts of things happen......
Military Logs and Documents · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
During today's dressing change, stitches removed. In the morning R. feels well, in the evening R. does not feel very well. Temperature rose to 38.2 (100.8°F). Slight constipation, tongue a little coated.
Military Logs and Documents · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
Slept well on morphine. This morning feeling well again. Treatment: dressing the good-looking wound with hydrogen peroxide. Signatures: Bardenheuer, M Bickenlass?
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"Drawing of Rittmstr. von Richthofen started in the morning."
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"Dear Lise! I'm currently visiting Rittmstr. von Richthofen in the hospital where he is lying in a room with Lt. Wolff. He's just now being bandaged and in the meantime I'm waiting in the corridor so that I can draw a li...
Air Combat ·
"For a while, I had set up my field of activity close to the city of Courtrai and had been working there for quite some time. Then, around mid-July, the following happened: The English, and to a large extent also the Fre...
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"Drawing of the Rittmstr. completed in the morning. The nurses visited Markebeke...went back to Courtrai with the nurses at 5:00 p.m. and began a new portrait of Richthofen."
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"About 10 days ago...he received a powerful ricochet to the back of his head - he just managed to land and grumble a few words, then lost consciousness. Now he's sitting in the hospital in Courtrai with a massive bandage...
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"...I've made two drawings of Richthofen, unfortunately both with his bandages. Many other gentlemen have been drawn as well, but I am very unhappy that I haven't really achieved my goal, because I can hardly use the dra...
Air Combat · Markebeke
Lt. Tüxen (JASTA 6) at 21:05 east of Komen, a Sopwith Camel B3779 of Lt. C.S. Werkman of 70th SQDN. Initially, there is some discussion whether Lt Tüxen, Lt Deilmann or OFW. Wüsthoff (JASTA 4) had done the shooting. MVR...
Air Combat · Markebeke
‘Reversing the arbitration ruling of 18 July, which ruled in favour of Vfw. Wüsthoff, on 26 July, Rittmstr. Frhr. v. Richthofen, as squadron commander, awarded the kill to Lt. Türen (Jasta 6) (GB. No. 13/2).’
Military Logs and Documents · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"No headaches have occured since 14 July. General condition is good, no nervous disorders, especially no swaying when standing with eyes closed. Reflexes normal. X-ray shows negative results."
MvR correspondance · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"Dear Falkenhayn, We are facing a greater cause! Last night, the artillery barrage began quite gently, but I think we'll have a hell-of-a-mess here on the 20th. (Our forces) are well-trained for everything, but in the ai...
MvR correspondance · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)?
"The commander of a fighter wing must be in close proximity to his troops. It is unacceptable for him to reside somewhere in the rear, communicate with his pilots by telephone, and issue his orders theoretically from his...
Testimonial · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
Carl-August von Schoenebeck brought up another side of Richthofen's personal conduct in one of his conversations with Bruno Schmäling: 'In July 1917 he had a significant disagreement with our Kofl regarding the use of th...
Military Logs and Documents · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"R. Frhr.v. R. occasionally leaves the bed. The wound looks good, but almond-sized bone is exposed in the middle. Treatment: bandage with pain ointment."
Air Combat · Markebeke
FwLt. Schubert (Jasta 6) 8.25 in the evening west of Roubaix, Spad-1, as 2nd (first disputed still with Lt/ Mahnicke, Jasta 11; on 26 July decided by Rittmstr. Frhr. v. richthofen as squadron commander; f. GB. No. 13, nu...
Military Logs and Documents · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
After R. Freiherr von Richthofen was frequently up yesterday, today he doesn't seem as cheerful as usual. He is therefore advised to rest as much as possible.
Testimonial · Markebeke
Excerpt of letter of Lt. Otto Brauneck to home: This morning I achieved my ninth victory, during a battle with an English squadron from which the Jagdstaffel under my command brought down three. This afternoon Rittmeiste...
Relocation & trips · Markebeke
"These days, the cavalry captain's patience is at an end. He doesn't need to tantalise the ‘delicate little flower’ for long. The two have had enough. Last night, as every night, English planes visited the little town ag...
Air Combat · Markebeke
Oblt. Reinhard (Jasta 11) 11.30 morning. Warneton, this side, Sopwith-2, as 1st (first disputed between Lt. Deilmann, Vfw. Küllmer (Jasta 6) and Oblt. Reinhard (Jasta 11), decided on 26 July by squadron commander, f. GB....
Testimonial · Markebeke
Excerpt from a letter home from Lt Otto Brauneck. This was his last letter (sic). This letter arrived home after his parents received the telegram of his fatal crash. ‘Yesterday von Richthofen asked me if I would like to...
MvR correspondance · Markebeke
"Dear Mum! Thank you very much for your lovely letter, which I was really happy to receive. It's wonderful that Lothar is doing so well again, but he should make sure he recovers properly before he goes back to work. Abo...
Military Logs and Documents · Lazaret 76 (Sint-Niklaas Hospital)
"d. Findings at Time of Discharge: He has been feeling well since 22 July. He can stand up quite well. The wound looks unchanged, but it is slowly starting to granulate more heavily. Boric acid ointment is applied to the...
Testimonial · Markebeke
"...The entire squadron has now driven to Kortryk for the transport of Brauneck's body. The Rittmstr. stayed here because he can't endure standing for long... ...The Rittmstr.'s father, Major von Richthofen, was here aga...
Testimonial · Brouwerij van Cyriel Debrabandere
Zoë has often seen MvR enter the brewery of Cyriel Debrabandere; he was always accompanied by his dog. She even saw him enter the brewery with a 'turban' around his head.
General Event · Castle of Baron de Bethune
Manfred von Richthofen whilst recovering from his head wound.
General Event · Gullegemsesteenweg 63 Bissegem
Pour le Mérite party Oblt. Dostler
General Event · Markebeke
‘Manfred wrote from the field. He has made two enemy flights, both successful. The effects of his wound are still very noticeable; when he took off again for the first time, he almost felt sick in the air. He asked us to...
Relocation & trips · Gontrode
17GW448 The Red Baron, seen here visiting Kampfgeschwader 3 bomber base at Gontrode, Belgium, where he is conferring with Hauptmann Rudolf Kleine, KG3's commander (left); the unit's adjutant, Oberleutnant Gerlich, is sta...
Attack · Markebeke
‘On the night of 10 August, they are once again startled awake, the ground thunders and crashes and shatters. This time, five heavy bombs strike with devastating force. Two tents are reduced to rubble and seven machines...
Military Logs and Documents · Markebeke
"The day has started unpleasantly and continues unpleasantly. At 10.15 an enemy squadron is reported by the air defence officers, but it has already crossed the German lines. At 10.20, all squadrons take off, which means...
Testimonial · Markebeke
...On 11 August 1917, I arrived at Jasta 11 at Markebeke. Freiherr von Richthofen was wearing a head bandage as a result of a concussion shot in an air battle. He did not fly during this period.
Testimonial · Markebeke
"Carl August von Schönebeck, who flew with the Baron, and survives today, recalls in his correspondence with Carisella: "Each time we came back von Richthofen told us what we had done right and where we made mistakes. Th...
Air Combat · Polygon Wood
Combat Report: 0755 hrs. At about 0755, accompanied by four aircraft of Staffel 11, I pursued a small flight of Nieuports. After a long chase, I attacked an opponent and after a short fight I shot up his engine and fuel...
Military Logs and Documents · Markebeke
MvR is pointed out his personal responsibility, because he participates in combat flights again, even when only partially recovered.
Air Combat · Polygon Wood
"And on 16 August, Rittmeister von Richthofen takes off again. At 7.55 in the morning he sends his 58th opponent burning into the funnels south-west of Houthulsterwald. It hardly ever happened that his opponent was not s...
Testimonial · Port lotniczy Gądów Mały - 51°07'38"N 016°58'40"E
...One day in June 1917, Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen landed in Breslau-Gandau and there I got to know him, from here he flew to his family (mother and sister) who lived in Schweidnitz near Breslau. He ask...
Testimonial · Markebeke
...During the dogfight, I had seen a German naval pilot following us under the clouds; I saw how he flew close over the downed English plane and shed a message bag with his identity. Later he claimed victory, which was,...
Testimonial · Markebeke
Testimonial of Lt von der Osten: During the evening of this memorable 17 August 1917, von Richthofen suddenly ordered a bottle of champagne and proclaimed, that my first victory was also the 200th victory of Jasta 11. I...
Military Logs and Documents · Markebeke
Celebration 200th victory of Jasta 11
Testimonial · Markebeke
'Richthofen's friend, whom he himself had designated as his successor, once wrote the following about the Richthofens: Richthofen's father was commonly referred to as ‘the flying father’ in the squadron, and rightly so....
Military Logs and Documents · Markebeke
"And on 18 August at 8 o'clock in the morning, bombs thunder again, they don't hurt anyone. On this day, a telegram arrives from the commanding general of the air force, which the cavalry captain first begins to read wit...
General Event · Markebeke
On 19 August, General Ludendorff comes to visit to see the most daring pilots in the German army and to shake their hands. He can also take this opportunity to see the newly arrived triplanes, which every fighter pilot h...
Testimonial · Markebeke
Carl Deilmann, a pilot who flew with Jasta 6 in the spring and summer of 1917, wrote the following to Dr. Heinz Penzlin of 'Die Welt' on 3 May 1978, copy Bruno Schmäling Collection: "I was a member of Jagdstaffel 6, whic...
Military Logs and Documents · Markebeke
"And as if they had sensed over there in the enemy air camps themselves that the shooting down of this man (Dostler) was a huge piece of work, they now took a break in the fighting. The commander of Flieger 4 immediately...
General Event · Deinze of Hertsberge
Presumably on the days before or after the emperor's visit to Markebeke, a parade took place. The location is uncertain, either Hertsberge or Deinze. It is certain that it was not in Markebeke.
Appointment & medals · Markebeke
Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen is appointed the Austrian Kaisers Iron Order of the Crown 3rd class with wardecoration with regards to his action of 8/8/1917.
Testimonial · Markebeke
...At the Markebeke, there was once an English biplane. Arthur, who worked there, was bold enough to clamber in for a moment. However, the guard had noticed and told him to get out immediately. At that precise moment, th...
General Event · Markebeke
Visit of Reichskansler Dr. Michaelis to Markebeke to witness demonstration flights of the Fokker DR I, in presence of Anthony Fokker
Press ·
From 'Die Woche 34' of 25 August 1917, p1150 after visiting Jasta 11 in April 1917. "Richthofen is medium-sized, muscularly built, almost stocky. Bright eyes peer out under blond hair from a good, intelligent face with a...
Air Combat · Between Poelkapelle and Langemark
Combat Report: 0730 hrs, between Poelcapelle and Langemarck, this side of our lines. Spad one-seater. English. During a fighter patrol with four gentlemen of Staffel 11, I saw beneath me a single Spad flying at an altitu...
Air Combat · Between Poelkapelle and Langemark
"The Rittmeister forgets paragraph II of the army order and takes off on 26 August; at 7.30 in the morning he shoots down a Spad between Poelkapelle and Langemarck over the front lines. It was his 59th aerial victory and...
MvR correspondance ·
"In my shelter, there is a lamp hanging from the ceiling that I had made from an aircraft engine. It comes from an aircraft that I shot down. I installed lamps in the cylinders, and when I lie awake at night and leave th...
Military Logs and Documents · Between Poelkapelle and Langemark
"Kofl 4. Armee Weekly Activity Report: 7.30v Rittm. Von Richthofen Jagdg. 1. Spad Langemark ds."
General Event · Markebeke
Test flight and demonstration of Fokker DR I by Anthony Fokker in presence of von Falkenheyn, Lt. Hess and MvR.
General Event · Markebeke
17GW444 On 28 August 1917, the first Fokker Triplane was delivered to Richthofen's Geschwader. Werner Voss, leader of Jasta 10, flew the machine for the first time. Three days later the Red Baron is seen here explaining...
MvR correspondance · Castle of Baron de Bethune
I am very happy about Lothar's health. However, under no circumstances should he be allowed to return to the front until he is physically back to full strength. Otherwise, he will immediately collapse here or be shot dow...
Testimonial · Markebeke
...Towards the end of August 1917, Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen was on rest leave; Oblt. Kurt Wolff replaced him. Wolff was a successful pilot with 33 victories on his asset. He was the only one allowed to...
Testimonial · Markebeke
...I never noticed any kind of nervousness in myself, but when Richthofen came back, he probably had the impression that I was in urgent need of leave, that's how I work sent on leave, after barely eight weeks of front s...
Air Combat · Above first lines
"On 1 September, the Rittmeister climbs into one of the new triplanes for the first time for aerial combat. (Paragraph II of the army order of 12 August does not concern him, totally forgotten and overlooked). At 7.50 in...
Military Logs and Documents · Above first lines
"Kofl 4. Armee Weekly Activity Report: 7.50, V. v. Richthofen R.E. Zonnebeke ds."
Air Combat · South of Bousbecque, above German lines
From Under the guns of the Red Baron (N. Franks et al): " Combat report: 0735 hrs, south of Bousbecque, this side of the lines. Sopwith 1, B1795; motor no.: 35123 (80 hp Le Rhône Type 'R'). Occupant: Lieutenant A F Bird,...
Testimonial · Markebeke
In June 1917, when I was 19 years old, I was ordered to join Jasta 11. Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen was leader of this Jagdstaffel, which even then was considered one of the best in our air force. Every one of us knew...
Military Logs and Documents · South of Bousbecque, above German lines
"Kofl 4. Armee Weekly Activity Report: 7.35 V., Sopw. Bousbeke, ds."
Military Logs and Documents · South of Bousbecque, above German lines
"Testimony of First Lieut. Reinhard. I have witnessed Captain v Richthofen's fight. Whilst fighting in curves the Sopwith One-Seater was forced to land near Bousbecque.(Signed) REINHARD, 1st Lieut. September 3rd, 1917. P...
Testimonial · South of Bousbecque, above German lines
"Approximately ten years after his encounter with Richthofen, Bird wrote the following regarding the events of 3 September 1917, kindly provided by his son, Peter: "A Flight of No 46 Squadron of which I was a member had...
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR ordered on holiday
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR leaves for several weeks. Oblt. von Doering replaces Richthofen as Geschwader commander for the duration of the leave.
Anecdote · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Another secret he confided to his mother was that he had for a long time corresponded with a girl whom he wished to marry, but 'not as long as I am liable to die any day'.
Relocation & trips · auf den Gütern des Herzogs von Sachsen-Coburg und Gothas
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
‘On 17 September Manfred telegraphed that he would arrive by air in the afternoon. We waited on the parade ground. At six o'clock the red aeroplane appeared, which is now his private property. In the last glow of a pure...
Testimonial · Markebeke
Testimony of Aimé Bekaert (Honorary Mayor of Marke): ...People were already starting to put up barracks and a concrete bunker was built right across Vandenweghe's barn...Von Richthofen's plane was in a shed along Kortrij...
Appointment & medals · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR receives Lübeckische Hanseatenkreuz
Appointment & medals · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR receives form Kaiser Wilhelm II, a bronze buste with the inscription: "The famous fighter pilot Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen; his grateful King 10/9/1917.
Appointment & medals · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR erhält eine signierte Büste Kaiser Wilhelms
Appointment & medals · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR receives Braunschweigische Kriegsverdienstkreuz.
Appointment & medals · Markebeke
Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen becomes leader of Jasta 11 according to Kogenluft 67259.
Testimonial · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Alois Heldmann, who flew with Jasta 10 from November 1916 until the end of the war, confirmed MvR's relationship with NCO's in a conversation with Bruno Schmäling in 1975: "I of course was not as close to Richthofen as o...
Relocation & trips · Forst Neu-Sternberg
"Only a few mortals are privileged to hunt one of these animals. I now count myself among those few. It is a very unfortunate fact that this rare game is slowly but surely dying out. Like the bison, the elk is also a rem...
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
"On 11 September, Guynemer left his base in a Spad XIII S 504 to carry out a patrol of the Langemark area. After nearly an hour into the flight he saw a German Rumpler, which was an observation aircraft. He commenced his...
MvR correspondance · Schloss Hotel
I was delighted about Lothar's sudden recovery. After the holidays, we can get back to giving the English a hard time, and I'm in the same squadron as Lothar. My haul over the last fortnight isn't bad. A strong elk stag,...
Testimonial ·
"As I was travelling from Frankfurt to Berlin on the morning express train in the last days of September, a young Uhlan officer jumped onto the departing train in Gotha with acrobatic agility, threw his hunting rifle fro...
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
MvR fährt mit der Eisenbahn nach Schweidnitz
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Blitzbesuch an Sweidnitz
Appointment & medals · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Relocation & trips ·
MvR fährt fährt über Danzig nach Königsberg
Appointment & medals · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Relocation & trips ·
"An invitation to visit the War College in Danzig came as a blessed relief. Richthofen could relax during the long ride north to the port city, where he would again be amongst the uniformed people with whom he was most c...
Relocation & trips · auf Schloss Rheinhardsbrunn/ Thüringen
MvR nimmt an der Hochzeit seines Kriegskameraden Fritz Prestien teil.
Relocation & trips · Schloß Reinhardtsbrunn
Vermählung des Rittmeisters Freiherrn von Richthofen
Relocation & trips · auf Schloss Rheinhardsbrunn/ Thüringen
"Fritze Prestien, an old flying ace, got married. I was invited to the wedding. It took place at the home of his parents-in-law, who live at the court of the Duke of Coburg-Gotha. The Duke had made his hunting lodge in R...
Testimonial ·
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 Richthof...
Relocation & trips · Hotel Oranienhof
MvR flies to Bad Kreuznach (GAFHQ) to see General Hoeppner, who tries to get MvR to take a desk job, but he declines.
Military Logs and Documents · Markebeke
I also request that all salvage aircraft to be delivered by MAG be supplied with Fokker MG controls. With regard to the construction of the single-seat fighter, the views of Baron von Richthofen, which I read in the Fokk...
Appointment & medals · Markebeke
Officers from Switzerland and the Ottoman Empire visit Jagdgeschwader 1 in Markebeke
MvR correspondance · Markebeke
"(because of the initial problems with the Fokker Dr. 1) Richthofen's only recourse was to protect his resources. That evening he wrote to Fritz von Falkenhayn in Berlin, asking for help in obtaining 80 flat-roofed woode...
General Event · Markebeke
"Richthofen's jagdgeschwader is also attached to our Army Corps and is right in the neighbourhood, but is at the disposal of the Army High Command only for special missions, while we have a prescribed sector at the Front...
Relocation & trips · Avesnes-le-Sec, Cambrai
Air Combat · SE edge of Bourlon Wood-rescued from no-mans land
Combat Report: 1400 hrs, south-east corner of Bourlon Wood. DH5. Englishman. At 1400 hrs, shortly after I forced an Englishman to land at the west side of Bourlon Wood, I attacked a DH5 north of Fontaine (Notre Dame) at...
Air Combat · SE edge of Bourlon Wood-rescued from no-mans land
"Above the Bourlon Forest, entire swarms of English squadrons are flying around, tightly packed in massed formations. Single-seaters and multi-seaters, aircraft of all types. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon on 23 November,...
Relocation & trips · Avesnes-le-Sec, Cambrai
"On 24 November, word seems to have spread that the “Baron's” red planes have arrived. There is no other explanation for the fact that remarkably few aircraft were visible on that day. Only a few English planes were obse...
Air Combat · Near Mœuvres
"And then the dance of death of the afternoon begins. Five Englishmen are shot down, including the commander's 63rd aerial victory. His meagre report: "With Lieutenant v. Richthofen and Lieutenant Gußmann we attacked an...
Military Logs and Documents · Avesnes-le-Sec, Cambrai
"And then peace slowly descends on the battlefield of Cambrai. Once again, the British have not succeeded, neither on the ground nor in the air. Richthofen, who never and under no circumstances ever exaggerates, can say...
Testimonial ·
"One of the backstaggered de Havillands was brought down at 1345 by Leutnant Georg von der Osten of Jasta 11, who later recalled of his fourth victory: "It crashed into the shell-torn ground south of Bourlon Wood. Immedi...
MvR correspondance ·
"I have just received the painful news of the death of your brother. One becomes firm and hard in war, but this blow hits me right in the heart. You know yourself how close in friendship your brother stood to me. On the...
Testimonial ·
"Richthofen as a superior and comrade. By F. W. Lübbert, Leunant, Jasta 11 I was filled with joy and pride when I received the news in December 1917 that Cavalry Captain von Richthofen had requested me for Fighter Squadr...
Anecdote · Avesnes-le-Sec, Cambrai
The adjutant sets out on short trips to secure provisions and perhaps find something special somewhere. There is hardly anything to be had in the surrounding area, neither for money nor for kind words. Until one day he d...
Testimonial ·
Carl-August von Schoenebeck, who served with MvR in Jasta 11from July 1917 trhough January 1918, characterized his Geschwaderführer in this way during a conversation with Bruno Schmäling: "The most striking about him was...
Testimonial ·
Wilhelm-Gisbert Groos writes to Alex Imrie: "He gave you the feeling that he was never afraid, and that gave us courage and also helped us overcome some of our own fear. He protected every member of the Staffel, if ever...
Testimonial ·
Johann Janzen, pilot and later Staffelführer of Jagdstaffel 6 in Jagdgeschwader 1 from 16 October 1917 to 9 June 1918, reported to Alex Imrie: "Richthofen had an incredible sense for the flight maneuvers of our opponents...
Testimonial ·
Franz Hemer, a pilot in Jagdgeschwader I's Jasta 6 from September 1917 until the end of the war, explained during a long telephone conversation with Bruno Schmäling in 1976: "Richthofen was a Rittmeister and Geschwader c...
MvR correspondance ·
‘There is very little activity here at the moment, which makes it terribly boring. Today I am travelling to Speyer to visit an aircraft factory. I intend to spend Christmas here with Papa and Lothar at the squadron. My s...
Relocation & trips · Pfalz-Flugzeugwerke in Speyer
Probeflug mit einem Pfalz Dr. I
Testimonial · At the races in Grunewald
"On one of those beautiful spring days in northern France, we were standing on the street in Douai when a small, rickety car came speeding along. My friend Hoffmann raised his hand: “Here comes Richthofen. Stop!” The car...
Relocation & trips ·
"The Richthofen brothers arrived in Brest-Litovsk in mid January, and had their first look at Bolsheviks, which was fascinating to the unworldly young Prussians. Contrary to the German officers, whos grey dress uniforms...
MvR correspondance ·
I almost got Frau Bitsenko as a table companion. It would have been a grand, amusing conversation. I would have enjoyed it, for she had also hunted down some of her enemies. Although they were ministers and grand dukes a...
Testimonial ·
...a lot of chess was played. We were encouraged to do so by the artists who were to paint a portrait of von Richthofen. I cannot remember the name of the first, but the second was a certain Professor Reusing, an attract...
Relocation & trips ·
"The Commander-in-Chief East had given me permission to shoot a deer in the Bialowiczer Forest. At the time of the peace negotiations in Brest-Litovsk, around New Year's Eve 1917/18, I set off on my journey from Cambrai...
MvR correspondance ·
You must be wondering why you haven't heard from me for so long, but that's always a sign that I'm doing well. In this case, however, I have experienced a great deal. As Lothar already wrote to you, we were in Brest-Lito...
Testimonial ·
These Typenprüfungen were an achievement of Richthofen, who was of the viewpoint that not just any old home-front pilot, most of all (not) one working for one of the aircraft companies, should be the man who determines w...
Relocation & trips · Berlin-Johaninistal-Adlershof
The commander will travel to Berlin-Adlershof on January 19, where he is posted for a while.
Testimonial · Gräflich Schwerinischen Palast
"Georg von der Osten recalled: On a rainy day we drove back from Adlershof to Berlin by car. Not much had been accomplished at the tests owing to the rain. On the way Richthofen said, "Well, I will get out here at Schult...
Relocation & trips · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Letzter Besuch in Schweidnitz
Testimonial ·
In February 1918 I left Von Richthofen and was a 20-year-old in charge of his own Jagdstaffel. When I already took over an independent command, I owed it exclusively to my former teacher Manfred von Richthofen. At the fa...
MvR correspondance · Berlin-Johaninistal-Adlershof
Ein paar Zeilen von Manfred
MvR correspondance ·
"On a beautiful February day, I finally realised my long-held plan to ascend in a tethered balloon. A young gentleman from my squadron who shared the same desire joined me. We drove to the Cambrai area to visit an aerona...
MvR correspondance ·
"a letter to Fritz von Falkenhayn. A few days ago I sent you a report about the Rizinus Ersatz relative to rotary engines. I am of the opinion that, owing to the poor oil that is available to us, rotary engines are no lo...
Appointment & medals ·
Das militärische Vermächtnis Manfred von Richthofens:
Military Logs and Documents · Avesnes-le-Sec, Cambrai
"And when the adjutant left the scissor telescope for a quarter of an hour to conduct the necessary paperwork in the staff barracks, his eyes would more than once glance thoughtfully over the secret iron cupboard. Behind...
Air Combat · N of Nauroy, Square 2858
Combat Report: 1110-1115 hrs, north of Nauroy, square 2858, Bristol Fighter No. 1251. Motor: Rolls-Royce 200 hp 12 cylinder V-shaped No.275. Englishman. Together with Leutnant Lothar von Richthofen and Leutnant Steinhaus...
Air Combat · N of Nauroy, Square 2858
‘The army report then reported laconically that Manfred had won his sixty-fourth air war, Lothar his twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth.’
Air Combat · N of Nauroy, Square 2858
"It is nine years since the greatest incident in my life happened. It finished my career as a flying officer but, as a Hun officer remarked, 'the war is finished for you', meaning that, being a prisoner of war, I should...
Military Logs and Documents · N of Nauroy, Square 2858
"Kofl 2.Armee Weekly Report: "11.15 Rtm. V. Richthofen (11) Bristol F2b n. Nauroy, ds. 64."
Air Combat · Between Gonnelieu and Banteux, Square 1853
Combat Report: 1035hrs, between Gonnelieu and Banteux, in square 1853. Sopwith Camel. Englishman, Wounded. I started with Jasta 11 and fought later on with two Staffels of my group against 2à to 30 Englishmen (DH4s, SE5s...
Testimonial ·
"MvR's latest triumph was muted by uncertainty about his brother. A participant in that fight, Leutnant Friedrich Wilhelm Lübbert, recalled: The Rittmeister was among the last to land. Only his brother Lothar was missing...
Military Logs and Documents · Between Gonnelieu and Banteux, Square 1853
"Kofl 2nd Army weekly report: "10.35 Rtm. V. Richthofen (11) Camel, w. Banteux, ds. 65."
Anecdote ·
"One of the many squadrons that were ordered to support the great offensive was Lieutenant Ernst Udet's Jasta 37. On March 15, Udet was told to move his group to Le Cateau and support General von der Marwitz's twenty-one...
General Event ·
MvR at the funeral of Franz Bohlein (Jasta 10) 16 March 1918 Jasta 10 was at Iwuy until 20 March 1918, so this could be Avesnes-Le-Sec's cemetery or Iwuy's.
Testimonial · Avesnes-le-Sec, Cambrai
"The following day, Richthofen made another preparation when he relieved Leutnant Kurt Wüsthoff of command of Jasta 4. Wüsthoff a 27-victory ace and Pour Le Mérite recipient, was transferred to the Geschwader staff. Acco...
General Event ·
Der Kogenluft, Ernst von Hoeppner, kommt zur Inspektion
Air Combat · road Molain–Vaux-Andigny
Combat Report: 1115 hrs. Above the Molain-Vaux-Andigny road. Sopwith Camel B5243. Engine: Clerget 35751. 1 Canadian, made prisoner. I started with 30 planes of my Geschwader and flew to the Front, commanding all three St...
Military Logs and Documents · road Molain–Vaux-Andigny
"Kofl 2nd Army Weekly Report: "11.15 Rtm. V. Richthofen (11) Camel, w. Molain, ds. 66."
Anecdote · Awoingt
"The German infantry assault is scheduled to begin at 9:45. Three quarters of an hour before that, Richthofen plans to take off with his personal squadron, 11. He has reserved the main combat period of the day, which is...
MvR correspondance ·
You have now received my telegram informing you of Lothar's fall. Thank God he is doing very well. I visit him every day. So please don't worry about anything. He is already doing quite well. His nose bone has already he...
Air Combat ·
In a prolonged single-seat fight between about ten S.E. and 25 aircraft of my squadron, I attacked an Englishman at an altitude of 2500 metres. Both wings of the aircraft broke off in the air in my machine gun fire. The...
Air Combat ·
1445 hrs, above Combles. SE5. Brought down behind the enemy's lines. During a protracted single-seater fight between ten SE5s and 25 machines of my own Group, I attacked an Englishman at an altitude of 2.500 metres. Unde...
Air Combat · above Bapaume-Albert road, near Contalmaison
With 5 aeroplanes of Jagdstaffel 11 I attacked some low-flying English single-seaters north-east of Albert. I got within 50 metres of one of the Englishmen and set it on fire with a few shots. The burning aircraft crashe...
Air Combat · above Bapaume-Albert road, near Contalmaison
1555 hrs, above Bapaume-Albert road, near Contalmaison. Sopwith 1; burnt. Englishman (beginner). With five planes of Jasta 11, I attacked several low-flying English one-seaters north-east of Albert. I approached to withi...
Air Combat · Wood S of Contalmaison.
With 5 men of Jagdstaffel 11 at low altitude, I met a Sopwith monoplane at the front with Leutnant Udet. At first the enemy tried to evade me by flying skilfully. I shot him down at aeroplane length. When it crashed, it...
Air Combat · 2 km NE of Albert, Somme
In a quarter of an hour after the first shot I hit an R.E. two-seater at exactly the same spot at an altitude of about 700 metres. I dived behind it and shot it up at close range with about 100 shots. At first the Englis...
Anecdote · Lechelle
"Baron von Richthofen no longer liked it in Awoingt. ‘Go!’ he said. He is too impatient to wait for the observations of others; he finds it easier to see for himself where he can help the German infantry. ...On 26 March,...
Air Combat · Wood S of Contalmaison.
1645 hrs. Wood south of Contalmaison. Sopwith 1; burnt in the air. Englishman. Flying with five gentlemen of Jasta 11, at low level, I encountered a Sopwith single-seater at the Front, with Leutnant Udet. At first the ad...
Air Combat · 2 km NE of Albert, Somme
1700 hrs, two kilometres north-east of Albert. RE old type, burnt; Englishman. A quarter of an hour after my first victory on this day, I detected in exactly the same spot, at an altitude of 700 metres, an RE two-seater....
Air Combat · Ancre, 1 km N of Aveluy, N of Albert
Combat Report: 0900 hrs. Ancre, one kilometre north of Aveluy, north of Albert. Sopwith - 1, burned; Englishman. With five machines of Jasta 11, I attacked at low height an English one-seater plane and brought him down f...
Air Combat · 2 km O of Foucaucourt
"Combat Report: 1630 hrs, two kilometres west of Foucaucourt. Bristol Fighter - 2, burned; Englishman. With six machines of Jasta 11, I attacked enemy infantry flyers molesting our movements. I managed to approach unnoti...
Air Combat · 1 km N of Chuignolles, S of Bray-sur-Somme
‘The commander's report of his 73rd aerial victory reveals the drama that unfolded before his eyes within a minute: ’Shortly after I had shot my 72nd opponent on fire, I attacked again with the same men of the squadron,...
Air Combat · 1 km N of Chuignolles, S of Bray-sur-Somme
1635 hrs, one kilometre north of Chuignolles, south of Bray-sur-Somme. Bristol Fighter - 2, burned; Englishman. Seat of observer was closed, only one occupant. Weather: fine, some low clouds.
Air Combat · Near Mericourt
Combat Report: 1220 hrs. Forest near Mericourt. Armstrong - 2, burned; Englishman. Flying at a very low height, I saw shell explosions near the scene of a victory. Coming nearer I recognised an Englishman at 500 metres a...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"Another chapter has come to an end for the commander. The commanding general of the air force sends a radio message: "I have conveyed my congratulations and those of the air force to the father of Cavalry Captain Freihe...
Air Combat · Hill 104, NE of Moreuil
Combat Report: 1230 hrs. Hill 104, north-east of Moreuil. RE 2; Englishman. Around 1230 I attacked, above the wood of Moreuil, an English RE at an altitude of 800 metres, directly under the clouds. As the adversary only...
Anecdote ·
"Newton, the observer, was highly praised, not by name, but by reference, on the afternoon of his death, when Richthofen sat over a late lunch at the squadron's advance quarters and unofficially related the story of the...
Testimonial ·
"How Richthofen shot down his 75th. By Lieutenant Lampel By Lieutenant Lampel (From the ‘Liller Zeitung’ newspaper dated 1 May 1918) ‘Please take a seat,’ said Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen to me when I reported t...
MvR correspondance ·
"That evening, Richthofen wrote to his old friend Oberleutnant Fritz von Falkenhayn at the Kogenluft office in Berlin: After a long time I come once again with a question. When can I count on Fokker biplanes and with the...
Military Logs and Documents · Avesnes-le-Sec, Cambrai
“In April 1918, Richthofen wrote a report summarizing his previous experiences as a fighter pilot and commander. Due to his death soon afterwards, this text was quickly regarded as ‘Richthofen’s legacy’. Initially brough...
General Event · Avesnes-le-Sec, Cambrai
"Air combat in this world war is the remnant of chivalrous duelling. A hundred years ago, the leader of an army stood on a commander's hill, directing the battle from there and, if things went wrong, riding into battle h...
Air Combat · NE of Villers-Bretonneux, near the E edge of Bois de Hamel
Combat Report: 1545 hrs, north-east of Villers-Bretonneux, near east edge of Bois de Hamel. Sopwith Camel, burned; Englishman. With five of my planes of Jasta 11, we attacked several enemy one-seaters at low altitude, fl...
Appointment & medals · Harbonnières
MvR gets Order of the Red Eagle, Third Class with Crown and Swords,
Air Combat · Near Hangard
Combat Report: 1130 hrs, near Hangard. SE5; broke up in the air. Englishman. With four machines of Jasta 11, I attacked several 'SE5's' near Hangard. I shot at an enemy plane some 200 metres away. After I had fired 100 s...
Air Combat · 500m E of Hill 104, N of Villers-Bretonneux.
Combat Report: 1205 hrs, 500 metres east of Hill 104, north of Villers-Bretonneux. Spad, fell down; Englishman. I was observing, and noted that a Kette (three) of German planes pursuing an English plane was being attacke...
Relocation & trips ·
"The grouphad moved there on 12 April, the officers being housed in the nearby château, just a short distance from the village itself. There were several airfields in close proximity, all just a short drive from the chât...
Air Combat · SW of Bois de Hamel
Combat Report: 1840 hrs, south-west of Bois de Hamel. Sopwith Camel, burned; Englishman. With six planes of Jasta 11, I attacked large enemy squadron. During the fight I observed that a Triplane was attacked and shot at...
Air Combat · NE of Villers-Bretonneux
Combat Report: 1843 hrs, north-east of Villers-Bretonneux. Sopwith Camel, burned; Englishman. Three minutes after I had brought down the first machine, I attacked a second Camel of the same enemy squadron. The adversary...
Air Combat ·
‘The phone went. The ever so friendly, obliging editors of the ‘Rundschau’ announced that Manfred had defeated his seventy-ninth and eightieth opponent. A great and joyful excitement seized me; I stepped through the door...
Testimonial ·
"Leutnant Hans Joachim Wolff recalled that, on the way back to Cappy, Richthofen went down very low so that everyone could recognize his red machine and waved to the infantrymen and the columns of men. Everyone knew who...
Testimonial · NE of Villers-Bretonneux
"Lewis and P.J. Carisella have been correspondents for years. In a most recent letter, Lewis noted that "over the past years there appears to have been a revival of interest in Baron von Richthofen, a gentleman for whom...
Military Logs and Documents · SW of Bois de Hamel
Kofl 2nd Army weekly report: 18.40 Rtm. v. Richthofen (11) Camel sw. Bois de Hamel, ds 79.
Military Logs and Documents · NE of Villers-Bretonneux
Kofl 2nd Army Weekly Report: 18.43 Rtm v. Richthofen (11) Camel nö Villers Breton., 80
Testimonial · NE of Villers-Bretonneux
"Forty-eight years after his fall, D. G. Lewis tells of his brief and almost fatal encounter with the Kaiser's "Red Devil", as published in Dale Titler's 'The day the Red Baron Died". ...We were arranged in an arrow form...
General Event ·
The picture shows Rittmeister von Richthofen with his dog Moritz and squadron commander Karl Bodenschatz allegedly on 21st April shortly before Richthofen's last take-off. The book “Richthofen- Flieger” by Richard Wenzel...
General Event · Cappy
Richard Wenzl of JG I claimed that this photo was the one-but last one of MvR on 21 April 1918. The men seen here (left to right): Wolfram von Richtofen (Jasta 11), Edgar Scholz (Jasta 11), Walther Karjus (Jasta 11), Joa...
Air Combat · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
"Second Lieutenant Wilfrid R May ('Wop'), a Canadian pilot flying with the newly formed No.209 Squadron (1 April 1918), was on his first combat mission over the area of the river Somme when his squadron of fifteen Sopwit...
General Event · Poulainville
"Pilots of 3 Squadron AFC based at the airfield at Poulainville stand beside the wreck of Richthofen's machine which is being stripped of bits and piexes as souvenirs."
Testimonial ·
"Letter from Lieutenant Hans Joachim Wolff to Lieutenant Lothar Freiherr von Richthofen Airport, 25 April 1918 Dear Richthofen! I still can't believe it's true. It feels like I've had a bad dream that will pass. But it m...
Testimonial ·
"A member of Ltn Weiss' flight, Ltn. d. Res Richard Weinzl, later recalled: Over the lines we attacked seven Sopwith Camels with red noses. The Anti-Richthofen people! We went through the paces...but due to the rather st...
Testimonial · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
"62 Richmond Road, South Tottenham, London, NO. 15. On 21 April 1918, the 11th Section “F” Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, was deployed alongside the Bray-Corbie road. The section (platoon) consisted of...
Testimonial · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
"Fenton House 112/113, Fenchurch Street London, E. C. 3. I have read Mr Robert Barron's report on the death of Baron Manfred von Richthofen, which I confirm in every detail. My own conclusions, which I signed shortly aft...
Military Logs and Documents · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
"It was now certain that he was no longer among the living, but had entered the silent realm of the frontline soldiers who had given their lives for their country. But how had it happened? First Lieutenant Fabian's repor...
Air Combat · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
1: The Approach. A section of von Richthofen’s flight, approaching from the east along the Somme River, leads an attack on a pair of British reconnaissance planes northeast of Le Hamel. The Germans are fired on by Austra...
Air Combat · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Australian machine gun crew that brought down MvR. Sergeant Cedric B. Popkin is at the trigger handles of the Vickers machine gun. To his left is Harry Heywood, and to his right might be Ruper F. Weston. The fourth perso...
Air Combat · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Below are excerpts of Norman Franks' and Alan Bennett's book 'The Red Baron's last flight'. It contains much more detail than below, and is the ultimate reference on the subject. “…The two aeroplanes had approached the F...
Air Combat · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Below are excerpts of Norman Franks' and Alan Bennett's book 'The Red Baron's last flight'. It contains much more detail than below, and is the ultimate reference on the subject. "...As the weather improved and the sky b...
Air Combat · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Below are excerpts of Norman Franks' and Alan Bennett's book 'The Red Baron's last flight'. It contains much more detail than below, and is the ultimate reference on the subject. "…Here fate took a hand and the path of C...
Air Combat · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Below are excerpts of Norman Franks' and Alan Bennett's book 'The Red Baron's last flight'. It contains much more detail than below, and is the ultimate reference on the subject. “The ground action against Manfred von Ri...
Air Combat · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Below are excerpts of Norman Franks' and Alan Bennett's book 'The Red Baron's last flight'. It contains much more detail than below, and is the ultimate reference on the subject. "Sergeant Cedric Basset Popkin, Machine G...
On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
"Ernest Twycross' son had taken his father on a mostalgic visit to the old battlefields of France in June 1970, and upon reaching the Corbie-Bray road the old soldier asked his son to stop and he looked out across the fi...
Military Logs and Documents · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
"The time came for the official British 4th Army Daily Report on Activity and Availability of Munitions, dated 21 April 1918 to be issued. Under Item 11 - General, it stated: Baron von Richthoffen (sic), the well-known G...
Testimonial ·
The Lords (The English) have buried Manfred von Richthofen with all the military honor. We at the Geschwader Richthofen, and in particular we at Jagdstaffel 11, had lost a man with Richthofen who had taught us what the c...
Testimonial ·
Testimonial of Herman Lohmeyer (mechanic of Oblt. Wolff, Jasta 11): ...From there we moved on, to Cappy on the Somme where Manfred von Richthofen did not return from a front flight.
General Event ·
Richthofen's body is subjected to a forensic medical examination. It is clarified how the cavalry captain died: from a single shot that pierced his chest from the bottom right to the top left. The bullet was still in his...
Press ·
Öffentliche Bekanntmachung des Todes von Richthofens
Press ·
Todesanzeige des Jagdgeschwaders für seinen gefallenen Kommandeuer
Press · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Mitteilung des Gouvernement Köln
Air Combat ·
‘A. Roy Brown, the Canadian captain whose bullet killed Manfred von Richthofen, said the following about the dogfight he had with Manfred von Richthofen and in which the German was killed: ’I had a school friend who was...
Military Logs and Documents · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
"The information which the Commander-in-Chief of the British Fourth Army, General Sir Henry Rawlinson, had received until now was a little confusing. General Sir John Monash, who commanded the 5the Australian Division, h...
Military Logs and Documents ·
Below are excerpts of Norman Franks' and Alan Bennett's book 'The Red Baron's last flight'. The book contains much more detail than below, and remains the ultimate reference on the subject. "On the morning of Monday 22 A...
Military Logs and Documents ·
Below are excerpts of Norman Franks' and Alan Bennett's book 'The Red Baron's last flight'. The book contains much more detail than below, and remains the ultimate reference on the subject. "Colonel Barber and Major Chap...
Military Logs and Documents · Exact location?
"SECRET REPORT ON THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN BARON VON RICHTHOFEN at 62D.J.19.b.5.2 about 11 am wqst April 1918. The following report is based on the evidence of eyewitnesses, written down immediately after the events. Capt. B...
Testimonial · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Testimonial or Carl August von Schoenebeck: When I returned to my old airport on April 23, 1918, I learned that Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen had died during an air fight. The message shocked us deeply, bec...
General Event ·
‘Two days after his death, Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen is buried with full military honours (his coffin is carried by Australian officers of the same rank) in the municipal cemetery in Bertangles.’
General Event ·
Grauenvoller Tag, furchtbarster Tag leines Lebens.
General Event ·
Abwurf der Todesmeldung durch englische Flieger hinter der deutschen Front
Press · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
"The feelings that moved the English can be seen from the report that arrived from Holland during these days of mourning. The English Reuter news reads verbatim: 'Reuter's special assistant in the British Army reports th...
Press · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Mitteilung des Nachrichtenagentur Reuters
Press · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Fernspruch des Gouvernement Köln
Military Logs and Documents · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Mitteilung des Kogenluft zum Tod Richthofens
Military Logs and Documents · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Mitteilung für die Presse zum Tod Manfred von Richthofens
General Event · Bertangles
‘I read an extract from a prisoner interrogation that the Richthofen fighter squadron survived: ’A few days ago, one of the prisoners visited the grave of Rittmeister von Richthofen. It is in the French civilian cemetery...
Military Logs and Documents ·
"The Richthofen family received a detailed account of Richthofen's burial after his death from the British and American sides. It follows here: A high, deep tent had been cleared out, and in the centre of this tent, on a...
Press · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
‘The English Marshal Haig reports that eleven German aircraft were shot down in aerial combat on 21 April. It turned out that one of the aircraft shot down was that of Cavalry Captain von Richthofen, who, according to hi...
Press ·
The funeral of Baron von Richthofen turned out to be an impressive ceremony. The fallen enemy was buried in a pleasant little cemetery, not far from the place where he was shot down. A detachment of the Royal Air Force w...
Press ·
'Andre Tudesq, special correspondent for the Parisian newspaper ‘Journal’ on Richthofen's funeral Before the funeral, we wanted to pay our last respects to the mortal remains of Cavalry Captain von Richthofen on his deat...
Press ·
"How Richthofen fell (From a Special Correspondent) Captain von Richthofen, the German airman, was killed while trying to break down our airial defences in the Ancre region in order that the enemy reconnaissance machines...
Press ·
The squadron of Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen, consisting of approximately thirty aircraft, flew over the English lines on the Somme on Sunday. After Richthofen had driven away a few English aircraft with his figh...
Press ·
"War correspondent Scheuermann writes in the Tägliche Rundschau: At the Richthofen fighter squadron, 23 April On Sunday morning, Richthofen took off on a combat mission with four aircraft from his squadron. Two of these...
Press ·
"(Official) Berlin, 23 April On the occasion of the heroic death of Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen, the following obituary appeared in the ‘Verordnungsblatt für die Luftstreitkräfte’ (Air Force Gazette): To our Cav...
General Event · Reichstag
"In the Main Committee of the Reichstag Berlin, 23 April In the Main Committee of the Reichstag this morning, during the discussion of the Reich Army budget, Representative Müller: Meiningen expressed his condolences to...
General Event · Reichstag
"In the Reichstag, Vice President Dr. Paasche commemorated the heroic death of Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen: "A feeling of warm sympathy has been aroused in millions of German hearts and also in this house. Our f...
Press ·
The war correspondent for the English newspaper “Times” writes: ‘All British pilots admit that Richthofen was a great pilot and an honest opponent.’
Testimonial ·
Walter Böning, Staffelführer of Jagdstaffel 76, first met MvR on 14 April 1918. When asked about Richthofen as a person, Böning said to Bruno Schmäling in 1975: "I only met him twice, but both times I was deeply impresse...
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Telegramm der Kaiserin Auguste Viktoria an Mutter Richthofens
Press · On a ridge by the Bray to Corbie road
Nachruf auf von Richthofen, aus der britische Zeitung 'Aeroplane' vom 24. April 1918
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Telegramm von der Kaiserin
Military Logs and Documents · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Rittmeister Freiherr von Richthofen has not returned from pursuing an enemy over the battlefield on the Somme. According to an English report, he has been killed.
Military Logs and Documents · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Major Freiherr von Richthofen, local commander in... To my great sadness, I have just received word from the Commanding General of the Air Force that your brave son, Rittmeister Freiherr von Richthofen, has been killed i...
Military Logs and Documents · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Painfully moved by the news that your son has given his life for his fatherland, I offer you and your wife my deepest condolences. He will live on in the memory of the German people as a master of the German air force an...
Military Logs and Documents · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
‘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 n...
MvR correspondance ·
Dear Mr. von Richthofen, What had long filled us with anxious concern—the possibility of losing your heroic eldest son—has now become a reality. I personally made contact with him and his squadron and was delighted by th...
Press ·
"Report from the Matin newspaper dated 25 April 1918 The Death of Richthofen THE FUNERAL OF THE RED CORSAIR In Santerre, 23 April ...One of those Picardy highways, dusty with flint, that look like a ribbon of the Milky W...
General Event · Hotel Oranienhof
"General von Hoeppner to the Vice-President of the Reichstag WTB. Berlin, 25 April The Vice-President of the Reichstag, Privy Councillor Dr. Paasche, has received the following telegram: Headquarters, 25 April The warm w...
General Event ·
"The grief in Germany was immense. Condolences poured in by the thousands. Much had been written about him, much had been said about him, countless legends had formed around him. What he was, where only his fellow combat...
Press ·
‘How Richthofen fell. Dr. Max Osborn in the ’B. Z.Am Mittag" Report by war correspondent Dr. Max Osborn (From the ‘B. Z. am Mittag’ of 27 April 1918) On the Somme, 24 April 1918 By chance, I found myself today on the bat...
Appointment & medals ·
On 27 April, Hauptmann Reinhard is officially recognised as commander of Jagdgeschwader I. Richthofen's last wish is thus fulfilled. And as if this gap had been closed, the thunderclap of Richthofen's death echoes across...
Testimonial ·
"The death of the Rittmeister has affected me very much; for, as you know, he was a dear comrade and a pleasant superior. I cannot really comprehend that such an outstanding man is no longer with us... It seems now to ha...
Appointment & medals · Aula des Gymnasiums
"Memorial speech by Dr Bülow at the funeral service at the grammar school in Schweidnitz Honourable attendees! We are now living in an enormously significant, perhaps the most significant, but also one of the most diffic...
Press ·
‘Report from ’Paix" dated 9 May 1918 The British paid their respects to the remains of the German ‘ace’ From L'Echo de Paris: The funeral of Captain von Richthofen was held on Tuesday, 23 April. The body was transported...
Testimonial ·
"Dear Major, With the advance and the daily strain of flying, I have not had the opportunity to thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the memorial service in Berlin, but I believed that by...
Appointment & medals · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Feier im Kreise der Verwandten
Military Logs and Documents ·
"I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Richthofen Fighter Wing for its successful work during the period from 17 November to 18 May, as it leaves the Second Army. The 184 aerial victories speak for the b...
Testimonial ·
"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...
Appointment & medals · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Aufruf zur Errichtung eines Denkmals
Military Logs and Documents · Ostrowo
Erstellung der Sterbeurkunde von Richthofens
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
"View of Richthofen's bedroom in Schweidnitz, purportedly taken in the late 1920s. Along with the sundry serial numbers, rudders, and roundels on display are taxidermic hunting trophies (left wall), the silver victory cu...
Military Logs and Documents ·
Ablauf der Überführung und des Begräbnisses
Relocation & trips ·
"In the middle of 1925, our family decided to transfer the mortal remains of Manfred v. Richthofen to Germany and bury them in his native soil. The initial intention was to lay Manfred's coffin next to the grave of his f...
Relocation & trips · Am Bahnhof
It was midnight on Monday, 16 November, when a French locomotive of the French Northern Railway with only a coal tender and a goods wagon rolled very slowly over the Kehl Rhine bridge. Whistle signals shrilled, and as th...
Relocation & trips · Am Bahnhof
The whole of Tuesday was taken up with negotiations between the German authorities in Kehl and the French occupation commander, who did not want to give permission for a patriotic celebration at the railway station by Ma...
Relocation & trips · Durch Deutschland bis Potsdam
On Wednesday at six o'clock in the morning, the carriage was routed from Kehl to Appenweiler, where it was attached to the scheduled Frankfurt D train. From now on, Manfred's last journey to Berlin turned out to be a tri...
Relocation & trips · Am Bahnhof
On Wednesday, 18 November, after ten o'clock in the evening, the train arrived in Berlin. A ceremonial reception was held at Potsdam railway station, attended by representatives of the Ring der Flieger and the Traditions...
Relocation & trips · Invalidenpark, Invalidenstraße
On Thursday morning, the laying out took place in the Gnadenkirche. The zinc coffin had now been placed in a brown oak coffin, with the sword and Uhlan chapka on top. In front of the coffin stood the wooden cross that ha...
Relocation & trips ·
Überführung von Richthofen nach Deutschland.
Relocation & trips · Invalidenfriedhof
"The funeral took place on the afternoon of 20 November. The masses of people began to gather at lunchtime. Then came Reich President von Hindenburg, whom my mother and I greeted. He was accompanied by the Reich Chancell...
Appointment & medals · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
The Richthofen memorial erected in the park across the street from his parent’s home in Schweidnitz (Old Postcard via Sue Hayes Fisher). Today the Richthofen memorial is crumbling away, and the bronze plaque has long sin...
Testimonial · Vaterländischer Verlag Weller (Berliner Stadtmission)
'In ‘Unsere Luftstreitkräfte 1914 - 1918’ (Our Air Forces 1914 - 1918, Vaterländischer Verlag Weller, 1930), he writes: "The following is a clear and truthful account of the death of our greatest fighter pilot. On 21 Apr...
Appointment & medals ·
Vorwort zum 1933 Ausgabe der rote Kampflfiegers
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
"Its walls are covered with the linen scalps of fallen foes. They are the gaily painted red, white, and blue numbers and symbols cut from fighting planes that went down in defeat under the guns of Richthofen's red Fokker...
General Event ·
"My brother Manfred. Even if a person is granted a long life, he will always remain to a certain extent a product of his origins and upbringing. But anyone who is called away from this earthly existence at an early age b...
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
However, this bedroom was not the room in the post-war museum that contained Richthofen's souvenirs. This was confirmed in a 1934 issue of Popular Flying that included the article A Visit to the Richthofen Museum, writte...
Military Logs and Documents · NSDAP Hauptkwartier Meiserstraße 10, München
"The Reich Air Force has been created as a new branch of the Wehrmacht. It continues the glorious aviation tradition of the World War. The name of Baron von Richthofen and his fighter squadron shines brightly within it....
Appointment & medals ·
Richthofen’s former gravesite in the Invaliden Cemetery in Berlin following the dedication of the huge granite marker in November, 1937. The large wreath in front is from the new Jagdgeschwader Richthofen.
Testimonial · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
"However, anyone travelling eastwards to Schweidnitz, the birthplace of Manfred von Richthofen, should visit the Richthofen Museum, which has been set up in his parents' house, to complete their picture of the hero's lif...
Testimonial ·
"Young people choose their war heroes at their own discretion, not among the army commanders and generals, whom they certainly admire with reverence, but whose deeds and achievements they will only be able to fully appre...
Testimonial · Markebeke
Extract from a letter from Lt Carl August von Schoenebeck to Albert Flipts (dd 7/6/1977). ‘The time in Markebeke I remember well. Richthofen was with Jasta 11, of which he was the leader, in the castle of the Baron de Be...
Testimonial · Franz-Marc Str. 11, Koln-Klettenberg
Kaffee und Kuchen with Hans-Georg von der Osten By Robin D. Smith From 1980 to 1982 I was a secretary at the United States Embassy in Germany which at that time was in Bonn. One day I spoke to my German teacher, Frau Hei...
General Event · Germa Press Hamburg
"by NATO Secretary General Dr Manfred Wörner. I must describe my relationship with Manfred von Richthofen as very personal - and I have had this relationship since my childhood. I was certainly influenced by my mother. S...
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Es gibt wieder ein Richthofen-Denkmal in seiner Heimatstadt Schweidnitz
"In 1892, my uncle Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen came into the world in Breslau (Silesia). He served the last German Kaiser as an aviator and flew in the last year of the war until his death. The fame he attained among...
General Event ·
"MEMORY IN PERSPECTIVE REMEMBRANCE IN PERSPECTIVE 1 CIRCUIT, 4 MEMORIAL WORKS IN THE VAL DE SOMME Explore the Somme Valley and discover the new ‘Memory in Perspective’ circuit. It consists of four memorial works represen...
General Event ·
In March 2020, the former nurse Käte, who had cared for Rittmeister von Richthofen in the military hospital in Kortrijk in July 1917, was found. Until now, it was assumed that her name was “Käte Ottersdorf”. But this is...
General Event · Władysława Sikorskiego 19, 58-105 Świdnica, Polen
Testimonial ·
..."Our Schwarm II had been out in the morning without accomplishing anything. Swarm I got itself ready. Richthofen wanted to come along but had to stay home because of a minor defect. As a result, I led it."...
