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The Red Baron (Hardback)

A Photographic Album of the First World War's Greatest Ace, Manfred von Richthofen

Aviation > WWI Photographic Books WWI > By Year > 1914 WWI > By Year > 1915 WWI > By Year > 1916 WWI > By Year > 1917 WWI > By Year > 1918 WWI > Photographic Books

By Terry C Treadwell
Imprint: Air World
Pages: 168
Illustrations: 200+ black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781526781321
Published: 30th March 2021

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If one aircraft was to represent the First World War, it could be the distinctive red Fokker Triplane of Manfred von Richthofen. With an astonishing eighty aerial victories, the Red Baron became a legend in his own, short, lifetime. Regarded as one of the most widely known fighter pilots of all time, von Richthofen is also considered to be the First World War’s ‘ace-of-aces’.

While much is known about this German aristocrat, what this book accomplishes is a pictorial portrait of von Richthofen as has never been seen before. Through a unique collection of photographs, the life of this famous airman is laid bare. From early family photographs through to the First World War, and his initial service as a cavalry reconnaissance officer on both the Eastern and Western fronts, his flying career, and the aircraft he flew, this extensive collection provides an unrivalled window into the life of history’s most celebrated fighter pilot.

By 1918, von Richthofen was regarded as a national hero in Germany and respected by his enemies. However, his remarkable career came to an abrupt conclusion on 21 April 1918. Just as the German Spring Offensive was faltering, von Richthofen’s aerial armada took to the sky to engage the Sopwith Camels of 209 Squadron which had taken off to undertake an offensive patrol over the Somme. In the ensuing dogfight, von Richtofen pursued one of the Camels along the valley of the River Somme. As he crossed the Allied line he came under fire – both from the ground and from the air.

Von Richtofen was fatally wounded by a single bullet which damaged his heart and lungs. Just which Allied pilot, or indeed soldier, fired the fatal shot remains in contention. Images of the stripped wreckage of his famous Fokker Triplane add a solemn, and all too graphic, coda to the life of the Red Baron.

The majority of the images show uniformed personnel in both casual and formal settings. Although in black and white, figure modelers might find such photos a useful reference.

Air & Space Power History

It was a really addictive and easy read for me, I loved the photos chosen and it is one that I will be very highly recommending as it shows there was more to The Red Baron.

Read the full review here

Donna's Book Blog

Featured by

Over the Front

"If, like me, you don’t yet own a book dedicated to the Red Baron this one is well recommended."

Cross and Cockade

"...this book makes it easy for someone just learning of his exploits to get a pretty good overview of the man and the pilot in one place."

Read the review here

IPMS/USA

I did not know what to expect from this book it looked like an interesting subject but had no idea that it would be this good! It is a tremendous insight into what happened a couple of hundred feet or so above the solemn trenches over Belgium and France. Some parts of the book provoked real emotions about those early pilots in battle like the accident whilst in combat that ended the life of Captain Boelcke to the injuries, to the Red Barrons own injuries. There was a real comradery in the skies with a fair amount of mutual respect between both sets of pilots from both sides true respect, that lead to the dropping of a note by a lone British pilot with a note that I felt choked while reading it.

I know World War 1 was a horrific experience for all who took part in it but some things that happened or took place during it was pure humanity, coming together of the soldiers for a football match at Christmas, to helping each other when animals got caught up in barbed wire. It still showed that no matter who you are or what side you are fighting for all men seemed to find compassion during some of the terrible fighting.

Read the full review here

Armorama

Collects a large number of photographs in to one affordable volume.

Cher Ami, Great War Sig Newsletter - IPMS, June 2021

Video review featured on Scale Modelling Now

Scale Modelling Now

The book contains many pictures, tightly grouped around Richthofen himself, thereby offering an almost intimate portrait of the Red Baron in that you get the sense of the man as a warrior and leader. In the most poignant photograph, however, you do not see Richthofen, just him flying his triplane into the distance on his last mission. For those interested in the air war in WWI, this is an informative biopic of the greatest pilot to fly in it and an enjoyable evening’s reading.

Read the full review here

Beating Tsundoku

Probably the most well-known military man from the 1914-18 war. This biopic is one of the best I've seen, and there are quite a few now.

Books Monthly

The Red Baron stands out with probably only a few others from the First World War, an intriguing fella who accomplished a lot from his trade. Anyone who is a fan of early aviation and pilots would love this book, along with a great number of photos this is an excellent read. The book is very well written and split up into little manageable chunks of info and data, if anything their feels like there is an aver abundance of photos. There is a great spreadsheet at the back of the book that lists all his kills and achievements. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re ever going to find out the real truth of how he died, but the book really does make a good go at selling the story of the Red Baron, and it’s been a really good ‘hero’ type read.

Read the full review here

UK Historian

Of all the personalities that came to fame in WW1, perhaps it is the Red Baron who is the most well known. I remember being at an airshow a few years ago where a Luftwaffe RF-4E Phantom display aircraft had the callsign of 'Red Baron' on the day. An interesting photo collection that should be invaluable to anyone wishing to know more about the life of Manfred von Richthofen.

Read the full review here

Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland

This is a must for anyone interested in The Red Baron and aerial combat of World War 1. There will be plenty of new photos that will not have seen before, I am sure. It is a very interesting topic and the book worth revisiting.

Read the full review here

Medieval Sword School

This was an engaging and brief look at the prowess of the Red Baron. Filled with sepia pictures of him enjoying the company of his dog, family, friends, and fellow pilots. A must read for any Red Baron fan. The main sections cover a bit about his flight training and how he managed to qualify as a pilot, a chronological look at his last dogfight, and an analysis of the post mortem reports and who may have made the kill.

NetGalley, Brenda Yeager

The dogfighter and his beloved dog: How the Red Baron who brought terror to the skies and downed 80 Allied pilots in WWI... knew his loyal Great Dane Moritz would always be waiting for him to land

Mail Online 19/03/21

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the different pictures that were chosen to tell the life of The Red Baron, they really helped bring the story to life.

I have read a fair few nooks on the Great War and knew of The Red Baron before I picked up the book but after reading the blurb it was a book that I knew I wanted to read and I had read it from cover to cover within days of it landing on my Kindle- I thought that it was great!

The story is easy to follow and I liked the lay out. I liked the different photos used to show him with his family, his flight squads and also his dog when he was more at ease.

He was quite clearly a menace to the British when he was in the sky but the book tells more than just his flight career and number of “kills”, which achieves a staggering 80 in the end (assuming that they were all genuine that is!).

The book tells you about the injury he received and despite it being serious he was able to carry on flying but it does read as though it changed his outlook and personality and he stopped following the rules that he gave to his own pilots… which ultimately caused him to lose his life.

It was a really addictive and easy read for me, I loved the photos chosen and it is one that I will be very highly recommending as it shows there was more to The Red Baron.

NetGalley, Donna Maguire

A great look into a well known figure from WW1. The author brought out facts about the man I had not heard before. A great read.

NetGalley, Ron Baumer

4 stars

Deaths in the German Army Air Service numbered some seven thousand during WWI. Total deaths were in the millions.

Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen is the Red Baron. More has been written about him than any other German First World War participant. He was just twenty-five when he succeeded in downing at least eighty combatants in just twenty months.

This book has many fascinating photographs of von Richthofen and his colleagues.

I freely admit that I have been a Red Baron “junkie” for many years ever since I read about him as a child. I was so very excited to see that a book – with photos! - was written about him!

The book gives a brief history of von Richthofen's training and flying career. It has post mortem results (such as they were), and has other end notes. It also lists the eighty confirmed “kills” he is said to have accrued.

NetGalley, Joyce Fox

About Terry C Treadwell

TERRY C. TREADWELL was born and educated in Bournemouth. Having served in the Royal Air Force, in telecommunications, and travelled the world quite extensively, including working in Australia for a short period, he was European Correspondent for Naval Aviation News (the official aviation magazine for the US Navy) and Wings of Gold (US) for ten years.

Born on this day - The Red Baron

2nd May 1892

German World War I fighter ace, credited with 80 air combat kills.


WWI flying ace The Red Baron of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first aerial combat near Cambrai, France

17th September 1916

WWI flying ace The Red Baron of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first aerial combat near Cambrai, France


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