Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the Red Baron, was the most feared fighter ace of World War I. Born in 1892 to a Prussian noble family, he first served in the cavalry before transferring to the Imperial German Air Service. Flying his iconic scarlet-painted Fokker triplane, Richthofen became a symbol of terror in the skies, credited with 80 confirmed kills. Unlike many pilots, he valued precision and discipline over reckless daring, leading a squadron nicknamed the “Flying Circus” for its

Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron was killed on 21 April 1918. His body was taken an airfield at Poulainville, (some 12 miles away, just north of Amiens). The aerodrome was the home of No3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. After examination by medical officers, arrangements were made for a funeral. It is likely this would have been undertaken by the Squadron's admin staff, under the direction of the Squadron commander Major David Blake. At 4pm the following afternoon (22 April - exactly 103

💡 Aviation Person of The Day - MANFRED VON RICHTHOFEN pronounced /'MAHN-fred fon RIK-toff-en'/ 🔹 A German fighter pilot known as the "Red Baron," 🔹He is the most famous aviator of World War I 🔹 He officially shot down 80 Allied aircraft, the highest number of air combat victories in the war 🔹 Was the leader of the Flying Circus, a squadron of elite German fighter pilots known for their tactical brilliance and mobility 🔹 Achieved his victories primarily in a red Fokker Dr.I triplane, a dist