Changes

Following the outbreak of [[World War One]], he served as a cavalry recon officer on both the Western and Eastern fronts. However, upon the bogging down of fighting on the Western front into [[trench warfare]], the cavalry became increasingly disused, and Richthofen was not satisfied with being used in a role that eventually became that of an infantry messenger. Leaving his cavalry regiment behind him, Richthofen applied, and was accepted into, the Imperial German Army Air Service (later Luftstreitkräfte).

Following the outbreak of [[World War One]], he served as a cavalry recon officer on both the Western and Eastern fronts. However, upon the bogging down of fighting on the Western front into [[trench warfare]], the cavalry became increasingly disused, and Richthofen was not satisfied with being used in a role that eventually became that of an infantry messenger. Leaving his cavalry regiment behind him, Richthofen applied, and was accepted into, the Imperial German Army Air Service (later Luftstreitkräfte).

==Piloting Career==

==Piloting career==

Richthofen began as an observer in a recon plane over the Eastern front between June and August 1915 with No. 69 Flying Squadron, before his unit was transferred to the Western front. Between October 1915 and March 1916, he completed his training as a pilot, and joined a bomber squadron. During his time as an observer and bomber pilot, he claimed to have downed two French aircraft, although he was unable to produce enough evidence to be given official credit for the victories.  

Richthofen began as an observer in a recon plane over the Eastern front between June and August 1915 with No. 69 Flying Squadron, before his unit was transferred to the Western front. Between October 1915 and March 1916, he completed his training as a pilot, and joined a bomber squadron. During his time as an observer and bomber pilot, he claimed to have downed two French aircraft, although he was unable to produce enough evidence to be given official credit for the victories.  

During another stint flying bombers over the Eastern front, he was approached by [[Oswald Boelcke]], who was searching for promising pilots for the new fighter squadron, Jasta 2. After joining the unit, he won his first confirmed victory on September 17th, 1916.  

During another stint flying bombers over the Eastern front, he was approached by [[Oswald Boelcke]], who was searching for promising pilots for the new fighter squadron, Jasta 2. After joining the unit, he won his first confirmed victory on September 17, 1916.  

Manfred was taught how to be an effective fighter pilot by his squadron commander, Oswald Boelcke. At the time, Boelcke was the German Ace-of Aces (the highest scoring German ace), and the first to write down the basic tactics for being a good fighter pilot, many of which he pioneered, and most are still used today. These were known as the [[Dicta Boelcke]]. Boelcke was killed in a flying accident after colliding with a member of his own jasta on October 28th, 1916, shortly after his 40th victory.

Manfred was taught how to be an effective fighter pilot by his squadron commander, Oswald Boelcke. At the time, Boelcke was the German Ace-of Aces (the highest scoring German ace), and the first to write down the basic tactics for being a good fighter pilot, many of which he pioneered, and most are still used today. These were known as the [[Dicta Boelcke]]. Boelcke was killed in a flying accident after colliding with a member of his own jasta on October 28, 1916, shortly after his 40th victory.

In January 1917, he was awarded the Pour le Mérite, the highest award for bravery that could be awarded to a member of the German army. Shortly afterwards, he was given command of Jasta 11, his now-famous "flying circus". Around this time, one of his pilots awoke one morning to see Manfred painting his plane red. When asked why, he responded with: "No reason in particular". This red colour scheme would eventually be shared by all the members of Jasta 11, with each plane having distinct personal markings for identification while airborne. Richthofen's however, was the only one to be painted almost purely red.

In January 1917, he was awarded the Pour le Mérite, the highest award for bravery that could be awarded to a member of the German army. Shortly afterwards, he was given command of Jasta 11, his now-famous "flying circus". Around this time, one of his pilots awoke one morning to see Manfred painting his plane red. When asked why, he responded with: "No reason in particular". This red colour scheme would eventually be shared by all the members of Jasta 11, with each plane having distinct personal markings for identification while airborne. Richthofen's however, was the only one to be painted almost purely red.

[[Image:snoppy.jpg]]

[[Image:snoppy.jpg]]

:Now, Snoopy had sworn that he'd get that man<br>

:Now, Snoopy had sworn that he'd get that man

:So he asked the Great Pumpkin for a new battle plan<br>

:So he asked the Great Pumpkin for a new battle plan

:He challenged the German to a real dogfight<br>

:He challenged the German to a real dogfight

:While the Baron was laughing, he got him in his sight....<br>

:While the Baron was laughing, he got him in his sight....

*A videogame was made based on the song

*A videogame was made based on the song

{{DEFAULTSORT:Richthofen, Manfred von}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Richthofen, Manfred von}}

[[Category:Military Commanders]]

[[Category:Military Commanders]]

[[Category:World War I]]

[[Category:World War I]]

[[category:Air Power]]

[[Category:Air Power]]