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  --[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 22:26, 15 December 2009 (EST)

  --[[User:JasonN|JasonN]] 22:26, 15 December 2009 (EST)

==Manfred Von Richtofen==

==Manfred Von Richthofen==

Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918) was a German fighter pilot known as the "Red Baron", due to the bright red colour scheme on his planes. He was the most successful [[flying ace]] during World War I, being officially credited with 80 confirmed air combat victories. He served in the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte).

Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918) was a German fighter pilot known as the "Red Baron", due to the bright red colour scheme on his planes. He was the most successful [[flying ace]] during World War I, being officially credited with 80 confirmed air combat victories. He served in the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte).

==Early Life and Outbreak of War==

==Early Life and Outbreak of War==

Richtofen was born into an aristocratic Prussian family in Kleinburg, Silesia. He had two brothers, one of which being [[Lothar von Richtofen]], who would later join his brother's squadron, and one sister, His father, Phillip, was a cavalry Major in the German army. This was to form a basis for much of Richtofen's life. He joined a military cadet unit when he was 11, and completed his cadet training in 1911. Soon afterwards, his father got him accepted into a [[cavalry]] regiment.

Richthofen was born into an aristocratic Prussian family in Kleinburg, Silesia. He had two brothers, one of which being [[Lothar von Richthofen]], who would later join his brother's squadron, and one sister, His father, Phillip, was a cavalry Major in the German army. This was to form a basis for much of Richthofen's life. He joined a military cadet unit when he was 11, and completed his cadet training in 1911. Soon afterwards, his father got him accepted into a [[cavalry]] regiment.

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 Richtofen was not satisfied with being used in a role that eventually became that of an infantry messenger. Leaving his cavalry regiment behind him, Richtofen 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==

Richtofen 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 17th, 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]].

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]].