| Red Baron | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen |
|
Born |
May 2, 1892 |
|
Died |
April 21, 1918 |
Origin[]
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen known in English as Baron von Richthofen or the Red Baron, was a fighter pilot with the German Air Force during World War I. 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 fighter squadron Jagdstaffel 2 in 1916. He quickly distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, and during 1917 became the leader of Jasta 11. Later he led the larger fighter wing Jagdgeschwader I, better 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 Entente air activity to another – moving like a traveling circus, and frequently setting up in tents on improvised airfields. By 1918, Richthofen was regarded as a national hero in Germany, and respected by his enemies.
Richthofen was shot down and killed near Vaux-sur-Somme on 21 April 1918. There has been considerable discussion and debate regarding aspects of his career, especially the circumstances of his death. He remains one of the most widely known fighter pilots of all time, and has been the subject of many books, films, and other media. Richthofen never married and had no known children.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- The Red Battle Flyer (1918)
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- True Comics #5
- Jumbo Comics #161
Public Domain Film Appearances[]
- Richthofen (1927)
Public Domain Films Inspired by the Red Baron[]
- Wings (1927)
Notes[]
- Hans von Hammer, the troubled protagonist of DC Comics's Enemy Ace was inspired in part by Richthofen.
- In Youjo Senki, the protagonist Tanya von Degurechaff is based on the Red Baron.
- Baron Soontir Fel, a character from the Star Wars expanded universe (now known as Star Wars Legends), and Baron Elrik Vonreg, a First Order pilot in the Star Wars canon who flies a red Tie Fighter in Star Wars Resistance, were both based on the Red Baron.
- Richthofen was mentioned regularly in the comic strip Peanuts, by Charles Schulz, and was included in subsequent television specials as a running gag. Charlie Brown's beagle Snoopy frequently fantasized about being a World War I flying ace. In his daydreams, he imagined his dog house to be a Sopwith Camel and carried a personal grudge against the Red Baron, whom he imagined to be his arch enemy.