Red Baron: A Photographic Album of the First World War's Greatest Ace, Manfred von Richthofen

The Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, was a legendary First World War fighter pilot with eighty aerial victories. This book presents a pictorial portrait of von Richthofen through a unique collection of photographs, from his early life to his service as a cavalry reconnaissance officer and his flying career. He was regarded as a national hero in Germany and respected by his enemies, but his career ended abruptly on 21 April 1918 when he was fatally wounded by a bullet. The identity of the Allied pilot who fired the fatal shot remains in contention.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 256 pages
\n Publication date: 30 March 2021
\n Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd
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The Fokker Triplane, painted in a distinctive red hue, stands as a symbol of the First World War, with its remarkable eighty aerial victories earned by the legendary Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen. During his brief but illustrious lifetime, von Richthofen became a legend, revered as one of the most renowned fighter pilots of all time. He is also recognized as the ace-of-aces of the First World War. While much is known about this German aristocrat, this book presents a visual portrait of von Richthofen that has never been seen before. Through a unique collection of photographs, the life of this famous airman is laid bare, spanning from his early family photographs to his service as a cavalry reconnaissance officer on both the Eastern and Western fronts during the First World War. The collection encompasses his flying career, the aircraft he flew, and provides an unparalleled window into the life of history's most celebrated fighter pilot. By 1918, von Richthofen had earned the status of a national hero in Germany and was respected by his enemies. However, his remarkable career came to an abrupt end on April 21, 1918. As the German Spring Offensive faltered, von Richthofen's aerial armada took to the sky to engage the Sopwith Camels of 209 Squadron, which had taken off for an offensive patrol over the Somme. In the ensuing dogfight, von Richtofen pursued one of the Camels along the valley of the River Somme. As he crossed the Allied line, he came under fire from both the ground and the air. Von Richtofen was fatally wounded by a single bullet, which damaged his heart and lungs. The identity of the Allied pilot or soldier who fired the fatal shot remains a subject of contention. The images of the stripped wreckage of his famous Fokker Triplane serve as a solemn and graphic coda to his life.

\n Weight: 562g\n
Dimension: 165 x 241 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526781321\n \n