Baron von Manfred Richthofen

Manfred Richthofen, Baron von , 1892-1918, German aviator in World War I. He was credited with the spectacular achievement of shooting down 80 aircraft; he was killed in action on Apr. 21, 1918. He was known as the "Red Baron."

Bibliography: See biography by W. E. Burrows (1969).

Richthofen, Baron Manfred von (1892–1918) German World War I flying ace, known as the “Red Baron.” Born in Breslau, Germany, into a prominent family, von Richthofen, like other members of his family, chose a military career. When World War I broke out, he fought in the cavalry in Russia and then in Belgium and France; when trench warfare replaced the cavalry, he turned to flying. In 1916 he assumed command of Flying Group I, which became known as Richthofen's Flying Circus for its colorful airplanes. Von Richthofen was shot down over Amiens, France, while piloting one of his bright red Fokker fighter planes. He was personally responsible for the downing of eighty Allied aircraft.

Richthofen, Manfred, Freiherr von (known as ‘ the Red Baron’) (1882–1918) German fighter pilot. In World War I he initially fought in the cavalry, but transferred to the flying corps, joining a fighter squadron in 1915 and flying a distinctive bright red aircraft. He was eventually shot down, probably by Allied infantrymen, after destroying 80 Allied planes.