THE RED FIGHTER PILOT- Manfred von Richthofen

FrankBlunt

Not long ago, I caught a documentary on the war career of Manfred "Baron" von Richthofen. The book he authored, published in 1917, is available free at http://www.richthofen.com.

If you happen to read only one section, I highly recommend Chapter 8- "My First English Victim". I was brought to tears upon reading of his inner thoughts and movingly commemorative gesture at the grave of the fallen pilot. The honor and respect Richthofen possessed for his opponents in war is something missing from modern times. He was performing his duty, not programming himself to hate those he had to kill. From his testimony, philosophy, and observations, the times when he showed pride in a kill was from a strategic domination standpoint, not satisfaction for ending a human life.

In the documentary I watched, one of the historians spoke of The Baron's ability to engage in multiple dogfights of his own, yet still monitor all accomplishments and errors among the members of his squadron in each battle. Fascinating! Shortly before his death he'd developed a severe tooth ache, but told his mother on the day of his life-ending flight that the condition no longer made a difference. Did he predict his own death? Was it a suicide mission? He did break one of his primary rules by following an English pilot into enemy territory at low altitude.

I thought it spoke volumes about his character following his death when the British openly held him in the same regard as their own soldiers.