Today in 1918

[Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984]

Today in 1918, World War One German fighter ace Manfred von Richtofen, better known as ‘the Red Baron’, was killed in action while pursuing Canadian pilot Wilfrid May. At the time of his death, the Red Baron was credited with shooting down 80 enemy planes and had received 29 decorations and awards.

 

[Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381]

[Alpo]

36 minutes ago, Okie Sawbones, SASS #77381 said:

I didn't know he was Canadian.

[Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967]

27 minutes ago, Alpo said:

I didn't know he was Canadian.

 

                 

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

Roy Brown, a Canadian fighter pilot, was credited with ending the career of the Red Baron. 

At the time of the action leading to his death, the Red Baron was chasing another Canadian pilot, who later became a legendary Canadian bush pilot, Wilfred (Wop) May.  There has, in recent years, been some discussion that it might have been ground fire from an Australian machine gun position that actually struck Von Richtofen.

 

 

 

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

33 minutes ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

Roy Brown, a Canadian fighter pilot, was credited with ending the career of the Red Baron. 

At the time of the action leading to his death, the Red Baron was chasing another Canadian pilot, who later became a legendary Canadian bush pilot, Wilfred (Wop) May.  There has, in recent years, been some discussion that it might have been ground fire from an Australian machine gun position that actually struck Von Richtofen.

 

 

 

Yup, that debate has been going for some time now. 

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

13 hours ago, Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 said:

Roy Brown, a Canadian fighter pilot, was credited with ending the career of the Red Baron. 

At the time of the action leading to his death, the Red Baron was chasing another Canadian pilot, who later became a legendary Canadian bush pilot, Wilfred (Wop) May.  There has, in recent years, been some discussion that it might have been ground fire from an Australian machine gun position that actually struck Von Richtofen.

 

 

 

 

Just as an aside: Then we have William Avery Bishop, who is credited with 72 kills during WW1.  His son, Arthur Bishop, was an RCAF pilot during WWll and was credited with one (1) kill.  Arthur said that he liked telling people that between him and his father they shot down 73 enemy aircraft.

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

Yes, Air Marshall Billy Bishop, VC, CB, DSO and bar, MC, DFC, ED*

* In our tradition, one uses their decoration's abbreviations in post nominals:

I.e. VC=Victoria Cross; CB=Companion of the Bath Order; DSO=Distinguished Service Order and second award(Bar); MC=Military Cross; DFC=Distinguished Flying Cross; ED= Efficiency Decoration

From my collection: Top: Companion of the Bath; Bottom: The Distinguished Service Order

[Jackson Haller]

Looks like Richtofen is wearing his military "Pour le Merit", aka 'Blue Max' medal.  The military version ceased to be issued after 1918 when the Kaiser abdicated.

[Buckshot Bear]

The Aussies gave him a good send off - 

 

https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/1918/people/rbaron