66. and 80. claim of Manfred von Richthofen

[Olham 164]

 

 

Jagdgeschwader 1 . 18.3.1918 11.15 h mornings

 

at the road Molain - Vaux Andigny,

600 m southwest Molain.

 

Sopwith - Camel-1 English;

Aircraft Number: B 5243

Engine: Clerget 35751

 

Fok.Dr.I.152; red upper wings,

red hood, red wheel covers a. red tail

 

1 Canadian, captured.

 

I started with 30 aircraft from my Geschwader and flew (in) close (formation),

leading all three Staffeln, in 5300 m (ca. 16.000 feet) altitude against the enemy.

When we approached the front, I saw several English squadrons

which were just crossing our lines; about the direction (to) Le Cateau. The

first squadron I met was at circa 5500 m altitude. I shot

together with Lt.Gussmann, Jasta.11 the last of the opponents, a Bristol-

Fighter down. He lost the wings and Lt.Gussmann brought him

to crash near Jencourt (or Jancourt?).

After that I resembled my 30 aircraft, climbed to 5300 m and

followed two squadrons, which had broken through until Le Cateau. When the

opponent attempted to turn away and to get back to the front (line),

I attacked. The aircraft next to me, apparently a

Breguet or Bristol-Fighter, was fired at by me and Lt.Loewenhardt, Jasta.10

and I saw the plane go down vertically. Lt.Loewenhardt brought

it to crash.

From two English single-seater-squadrons I attacked one craft

with red pennants (burgees) and forced the opponent to land near Molain.

 

Witnesses of the air combat:

see attachment!

 

Frh. v Richthofen

Rittmeister and squadron commander

 

 

 

 

 

(80. victory, our side of the line)

 

20.4.1918 6.43 h afternoon

 

northeast Viller-Bretonneux

 

Sopwith - Camel English

 

Fok. Dr.I.425/17, painted red

 

burnt

 

3 minutes after I had shot down the first one burning,

I attacked a 2. Camel from the same squadron. The opponent

let himself fall down, caught himself up and repeated this maneuver

several times. In the process I closed on to fighting distance and

shot him afire with ca. 50 rounds. The fuselage burnt in

midair, the rest of the aircraft crashed northeast Viller-Bretonneux.

 

gez. v.R. (signed: von Richthofen)

 

Rittmeister and squadron commander

Edited March 28, 2010 by Olham

[von Baur 54]

I find the first report very interesting, and somewhat vindicating. Much has been made by von Richtofen's detractors about him taking credit for others' kills and/or others 'softening up' opponents and von Richtofen popping a few rounds in at the end so he could claimthe kill. My stance has always been that that couldn't have been the case given the overall success and the high morale of his Jasta and Geschwader. And this claim clearly shows two instances in the same mission in which he backed off and let another pilot finish and take credit for...in fact gave credit to...the kill.

[Creaghorn 10]

all i can say is: read jfm's book. it shows in mathematical accuracy and with waterproof evidence that all accusations made about MvR are pure nonsense. stealing kills, medicore pilot etc. all BS. that accusations are more born out of chats while smoking cigars and drinking coffe. in his book everything is well researched and evidend. every aspect about those myths pro and contra MvR.

[sandbagger 1]

I have a book that gives details of every victory by MvR, including details and background of most of his victims. Very interesting as it has photos, colour illustrations as well as factual data of time, types, locations etc.

[Guest British_eh]

Hey there Sandbagger,

 

what is the title? I am keen on not so much MvR, but of him and the Dr.1.

 

I have read several accounts of the increasing numbers of aircraft in the air through 1918, and the mounting losses on all sides. From looking at the Mission in OFF, there are a number of squads that are flying, and I have yest to do a count. On a Mission review though, it does show the aircraft that do go down during your own missioni time. It would certainly be awesome if the OBD team had the code to sort out the AI, as it could be superb, with their insight and achievements with OFF to date.

 

Cheers,

 

British_eh

 

PS Aston Martin's Tripe is doing quite well thank you

I have a book that gives details of every victory by MvR, including details and background of most of his victims. Very interesting as it has photos, colour illustrations as well as factual data of time, types, locations etc.

[sandbagger 1]

Hey there Sandbagger,

 

what is the title? I am keen on not so much MvR, but of him and the Dr.1.

 

I have read several accounts of the increasing numbers of aircraft in the air through 1918, and the mounting losses on all sides. From looking at the Mission in OFF, there are a number of squads that are flying, and I have yest to do a count. On a Mission review though, it does show the aircraft that do go down during your own missioni time. It would certainly be awesome if the OBD team had the code to sort out the AI, as it could be superb, with their insight and achievements with OFF to date.

 

Cheers,

 

British_eh

 

PS Aston Martin's Tripe is doing quite well thank you

 

Under The Guns of the Red Baron: The Complete Record of Von Richthofen's Victories and Victims Fully Illustrated - by Norman Franks, Hal Giblin and Nigel McCrery - illustrations by Barry Weekley

 

Grub Street Publishing; illustrated edition edition (30 Sep 2007)

 

"This book, by three respected historians, has researched in detail the lives of all of his 123 victims (over 100 of whom are depicted), and provides a blow-by-blow account of their encounter with the great man; a unique compilation of material."