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Who Killed the Red Baron?
06 February 2008 by Amanda Rebbeck.
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Aircraft 1914 - 1918,Collection, Private Records, The Red Baron
A posthumous photograph of Captain Baron Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron). A03158I came across a number of first and second hand accounts of the death of Baron von Richthofen whilst I was examining various Private Record Collections in the Memorial’s Research Centre. They made for interesting reading since the events of 21 April 1918 have long been the subject of many enthusiastic debates in the history of the First World War. I have reproduced below for interest some extracts of the letters, diaries and memoirs I read. They have all been written by Australian Flying Corps personnel and describe their recollections of what happened the day the Red Baron flew his last mission. read on
The Dangers of Flying
06 February 2008 by Amanda Rebbeck.
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Aircraft 1914 - 1918,Personal Stories, Aerial Operations, Private Records, Training
The aircraft of the 1914-18 period were visibly frail and delicate and quite unlike the capable machines we know today. First World War aircraft were prone to structural or mechanical failures and could easily catch fire. Armament was limited to rifle-calibre machine guns and protection for the crew through armour and parachutes were only beginning to be used in the closing stages of the war. Aircrew operated with few aids to navigation, and were usually exposed to the elements while in flight. read on
Experiences of a Prisoner of War in Turkey – Capture
27 November 2007 by Amanda Rebbeck.
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Aircraft 1914 - 1918,Personal Stories, Aerial Operations, Private Records
On 27 June 1918 two Bristol F2B Fighters from No. 1 Squadron AFC, A7236 and B1149, took off on a reconnaissance mission over Kitrine. The two aircraft were piloted by Temporary Captain A. R. Brown/ Lieutenant G Finlay and Lieutenants G. V. Oxenham/L. H. Smith respectively. By the end of the mission Lieutenant Smith had been made a Prisoner of War.
