Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen
(2.5.1892 - 21.4.1918)
place of birth:  Breslau, Niederschlesien  (Wroclaw, Poland)


German baron and ace aviator who was credited with 80 enemy aircraft kills during the war. He began the war serving as a supply officer in a cavalry regiment. In 1915, he made the switch to flying duty, starting out as an aerial observer, and then later training in as a fighter pilot. The legendary "Red Baron" was awarded the Pour le Merite following a confirmed kill against British ace Major Hawker. He later commanded Jasta 11 (11th Fighter Squadron) and then Jagdgeschwader Nr. 1 (1st Fighter Wing), also known as The Flying Circus. 

On 21 April 1918, at the age of 25, he was shot down and killed in action near Vaux-sur-Somme, France. Richthofen's eventual successor as commander of JG 1 was Oberleutnant Hermann Goering. Richthofen's brother Lothar was likewise an air ace who served in Jasta 11 with him. His great uncle, also named Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen, served during the Great War as a general of cavalry and corps commander. His cousin Frieda von Richthofen was married to noted author D.H. Lawrence.


"What this youthful leader has achieved in aerial combat will never be forgotten...neither by me, my Army, nor the German people."  - Kaiser Wilhelm II