Fri Apr 21, 2017, 06:35 PM
Cooley Hurd (26,877 posts)
The Red Baron is dead - 99 yrs ago todayhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manfred_von_Richthofen
![]() Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918), also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) during the First World War. He is considered the ace-of-aces of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories. Originally a cavalryman, Richthofen transferred to the Air Service in 1915, becoming one of the first members of Jasta 2 in 1916. He quickly distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, and during 1917 became leader of Jasta 11 and then the larger unit Jagdgeschwader 1, better and popularly known as "The Flying Circus" or "Richthofen's Circus" because of the bright colours of its aircraft, and perhaps also because of the way the unit was transferred from one area of allied air activity to another - moving like a travelling circus in trains, and frequently setting up in tents on improvised airfields. By 1918, he was regarded as a national hero in Germany, and respected and admired even by his enemies. Richthofen was shot down and killed near Amiens on 21 April 1918. There has been considerable discussion and debate regarding aspects of his career, especially the circumstances of his death. He remains perhaps the most widely known fighter pilot of all time, and has been the subject of many books, films and other media. </snip> ![]() ![]()
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10 replies, 3926 views
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Author | Time | Post |
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Cooley Hurd | Apr 2017 | OP |
Binders Keepers | Apr 2017 | #1 | |
Cooley Hurd | Apr 2017 | #2 | |
MousePlayingDaffodil | Apr 2017 | #3 | |
Cooley Hurd | Apr 2017 | #4 | |
Rhiannon12866 | Apr 2017 | #5 | |
Oneironaut | Apr 2017 | #6 | |
Kaleva | Apr 2017 | #7 | |
Oneironaut | Apr 2017 | #9 | |
Kaleva | Apr 2017 | #8 | |
Dammit Jim | Apr 2017 | #10 |
Response to Cooley Hurd (Original post)
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 06:57 PM
Binders Keepers (369 posts)
1. Pushed himself past his limit
Had shell shock. Should not have been in the air. But felt the hopes of Germany rested on his continuing to fly.
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Response to Binders Keepers (Reply #1)
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 07:00 PM
Cooley Hurd (26,877 posts)
2. His previous head wound didn't help
...but he persevered. A great aviator who I continue to admire.
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Response to Cooley Hurd (Reply #2)
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 07:55 PM
MousePlayingDaffodil (748 posts)
3. The man had silver cups . . .
. . . made to commemorate his aerial victories -- some 60 in all, before the war-time silver shortage curtailed their production -- with each trophy marking (in most cases) the death of a fellow human being.
Fighting in the service of one's country, and in the process necessarily taking another's life, is one thing. But having trophies made to celebrate one's prowess? A blood-thirsty psychopath, if you ask me. |
Response to MousePlayingDaffodil (Reply #3)
Fri Apr 21, 2017, 08:19 PM
Cooley Hurd (26,877 posts)
4. Well, when you put you ass on the line repeatedly...
You *don't* want anyone to pay attention?
Nonsense... |
Response to MousePlayingDaffodil (Reply #3)
Sat Apr 22, 2017, 05:24 AM
Rhiannon12866 (125,805 posts)
5. It was war.
The death toll horrifies me, too, but all the major countries in the world participated one way or another.
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Response to Cooley Hurd (Original post)
Sat Apr 22, 2017, 09:19 AM
Oneironaut (3,807 posts)
6. "Richthofen was shot down by an angry beagle flying a red dog house"
Response to Oneironaut (Reply #6)
Sat Apr 22, 2017, 12:39 PM
Kaleva (26,623 posts)
7. Fake news. DU is better then this. Sad!
J/K!!
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Response to Cooley Hurd (Original post)
Sat Apr 22, 2017, 12:47 PM
Kaleva (26,623 posts)
8. A fighter pilot's career went thru about 3 phases
As a rookie, they were meat for the more experienced pilots and many died. Those that survived became the hunters and dominated the sky. In the 3rd and final phase, the pilot became sloppy and careless because they were shell shocked, burnt out or just didn't care anymore and many of them fell victim to a pilot who was in Phase II.
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Response to Kaleva (Reply #8)
Sat Apr 22, 2017, 02:34 PM
Dammit Jim (70 posts)
10. Not if the pilot was Tom Cruise
He'd of shot down all comers while having sex with Kelli McGuinness!
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