Why the Red Baron died?

[ozzy72]

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - History books say that The Red Baron, the legendary World War I German flying ace, was shot out of the sky and died in April 1918. But new research suggests that his death spiral may have begun nine months earlier.
A University of Missouri at Columbia researcher and his Ohio collaborator argue a severe injury to Manfred von Richthofen's brain during an earlier aerial confrontation figured in his death.
``He was a very reserved character all his life, but he is described as much more immature after the injury, and we have found that is common with this type of brain injury,'' Missouri's Daniel Orme said Tuesday.
During his final, fatal dogfight, von Richthofen was seen pursuing a fleeing plane across enemy fire in an uncharacteristic display of ``target fixation.'' The pursuit broke Richthofen's own rule to ``never obstinately stay with an opponent,'' said Orme.
Orme collaborated with fellow neuropsychologist Tom Hyatt of Cincinnati for a fresh take on what led to the Red Baron's death on April 21, 1918, when he was shot through the chest and crashed.
They focused on a July 6, 1917, incident in which von Richthofen was flying head-on toward an enemy plane's machine gunner at a distance where he was sure he couldn't be hit. ``Suddenly something struck me in the head,'' he recalled. A bullet creased Richthofen's scalp, leaving a four-inch scar that never completely healed.
After that, von Richthofen, the son of Prussian nobility who would have glowered at a soldier's unbuttoned tunic, began exhibiting odd behavior, such as laying his head on a Berlin restaurant table to publicly display the open head wound to a friend's mother.
His mother, Baroness von Richthofen, wrote that after the injury, ``something painful lay 'round the eyes and temples'' of her son.
``I found Manfred changed ... the high spirits, the playfulness, were lacking in his character - he was taciturn, almost unapproachable - even his words seemed to come from an unknown distance,'' she wrote.
After subsequent flights, Richthofen had to lie down to fight off nausea and severe headaches. Richthofen wrote: ``I am in wretched spirits after every aerial combat but that is surely one of the consequences of my head wound.''
Hyatt was watching a documentary about the Red Baron, and became fascinated with the head injury. ``The film clearly showed him in hospital with a large head bandage, and to me, it began explaining his later behavior that led to his death,'' he said.
Orme and Hyatt began sifting journals, medical records and books about the Red Baron's symptoms in the months before his death. Their findings are to be published this fall in the international journal Human Factors and Aerospace Safety.
For Orme and Hyatt, research on the Red Baron's case fit a shared professional specialty. Both are retired from the Air Force, where their duties included studying whether brain-injured pilots should be allowed back into the air.
``We have evaluated many head-injured patients, and the description of the Red Baron's actions and behavior are just classic for what is called post-concussive syndrome,'' Orme said.
``In combat, the environment is very austere and the individual has to act quickly and make critical decisions, and he just lost the capacity to incorporate all that data quickly and make solid judgments. He didn't have the mental flexibility to realize he shouldn't pursue that plane.''
There is still debate about who fired the shot that fatally pierced Richthofen's chest - an Australian artillery crew on the ground, or a Canadian flier, Roy Brown.
But Orme and Hyatt say the shot fired nine months earlier, by British flier A.E. Wooldridge, set the Red Baron on a fatal course because of the brain injury.
``It was a pretty serious hit,'' Hyatt said. ``As a neuropsychologist, I always get irritated when Hollywood movies depict someone being hit in the head, falling down, then shaking their head and all is fine. That isn't how it works, and the Red Baron's case shows those long-lasting effects.''

[Felix/FFDS]

I never doubted that that earlier fight/wound contributed to a changed behaviour.  By any account of the last fight, Richtofen's target fixation, that took him flying over enemy lines was a complete departure from his own normal procedures.

The article sheds some light on specific instances, but in general, he was a changed person, with the very sharp edge slightly dulled (but still sharper than the average ..)

One wonders whether the times - Germany was losing the war, reverence to a demi-god of the air, etc., contributed to keeping an ace in the air, fighting, when he really should have been pulled back for instructional duties (which could have killed him off spiritually a lot faster)

[Professor Brensec]

I watched a special not long ago which laid to rest the 'debate' about who fired the shot. It was the Australian gunner (not sure of the name - maybe Patterson - I'll check).

The autopsy notes, which have been studied by two pathologists, reported the bullet entering his chest at a point "UNDER HIS RIGHT ARMPIT, EXITING THROUGH THE LEFT NIPPLE" - almost a sideays shot (impossible from behind, given he was strapped tightly into the cockpit)

It was also a log distance shot - in excess of 600 metres, proven by the lack of 'concussive' damage to the tissue - closer range shots tend to leave far more concussive damage around the path of the projectile. Evidence also by the fact that the bullet was found inside the barons tunic. A close range shot from such a weapon would probably passed right through two people.

Roy Brown was always very taciturn (almost embarrassed, by accounts) when pressed for accounts of the action. He does admit firing (from directly behind) but never ever admitted that he felt he fired the fatal shot. Records have since indicated that he may well have been 'pressed' into the unofficial claim by superiors, (he never officially claimed the kill!!) which of course, is no shame on the man's part.

Richtofen's plane was seen to lurch upward and stall and then to land, in a very unstable and haphazard manner. This is consistent with accounts from Pathologists who suggest that such a wound as suffered by him, would leave a person between 30 secouds and 3 minutes life.

The first to the scene (an Australian gunner - NOT the one who fired from a position about half a kilometer to the right of the landing spot, who has been now OFFICIALLY credited with the kill), reported that when he arrived at the plane, the pilot looked at him, uttered something in German and died.

I thought this had been published world-wide about 12 months ago, in order to end the speculation, but obviously not.

Anyway, that's the 'up-to-date' as I know it.........

He was also apparently on his LAST sortie. He wasn't even supposed to be flying. His mother had been pressing the Kaiser for months to have him 'retired' as he had been clearly suffering from fatigue (and probably some effects of the injury mentioned). The orders for his official grounding had come through the day before he died. He decided to fly anyway.

The story, as told by the fellow he was chasing (lucky bigger):

He was on his second patrol and had been told not to engage the enemy, under any circumstances, by Brown. He was to "shy off".
He saw a Fokker away from the main 'throng" of about 18 planes and stupidly decided to have a go at it. It is reported to have been Richtofens Nephew, who was flying with him that day. He was away from the rest because he had been told the same thing as the other bloke, by Richtofen - just watch!!!
As he closed on the Fokker, Richtofen saw his Nephew may be in trouble so he gave chase. Brown susequently saw his 'charge' being pursued by the 'Red' tri-plane' whom he knew must be Richtofen.
As Richofen pursued his 81st victory ('to be'), he either didn't realise that he was overflying enemy lines (against his own dictum) or he had some sort of judgmental lapse. He must have been also, as stated, somewhat fixated on the Camel, which the young flyer was able to keep ahead of Richtofen, not through experience but luckily, simply by the superior speed of his machine.
Brown reports to have taken some 'potshots' from some distance, but he confirmed the Australian ground troops's account that the plane suddenly lurched upward and stalled and came into a field in a very rough landing.
Three Australian machine gun units on the ridge (which was roughly at eye-level with the passing planes) reported firing at the Red Fokker, in order to help the British pilot that was being pursued. They report Browns plane so far behind as to be 'not in the hunt'. The only machine which could possibly be in a position to inflict the wound as described, was that manned by the bloke whose name escapes me (maybe Paterson as I said)

Richofens 'outer' flying boots (made of Reindeer skin and probably obtained from a British 'opponent'), part of the joystick column and one of the Maltese crosses from his wing fabric are in the Australian War Memorial Museum, having been souveneired by Australian troops at the scene.

[Professor Brensec]

From all the medical reports on Richtofen's body, the bullet(1) entered from the lower right torso and exited through the upper left chest. The only person firing from the right side of the plane that day was Cedric Basset Popkin. Everybody else was to the left or upper left-(Brown). After his(Popkin) second burst the plane was seen to shudder (an unmistakable action pilots did when severely wounded) and turn and dive to the right. (Another reaction to the bullet entry by the pilot when pulling on the joystick with the right hand).

A little more evidence.

There was apparently another doco (apart from the one I saw), which was aired in Canada last year. It upset Brown rellies and some townfolk (from his home town (Carlton, I think). This particular doco used simulations and medical evdience to prove the point.

[Professor Brensec]

Another thing that annoys me a little about this 'general area' of history is the name  "Flying Circus".

I have read so many accounts that state incorrectly that they were so named because of the 'brightly coloured planes'. Also, again incorrectly, there was only one 'Flying Circus' (that of the Red Baron).

In fact, there were several. They were squadrons of planes that travelled up and down the front, wherever they were needed, on the back of trucks, like a Circus.
It was, at that time, the quickest way to get the planes from one point to another, with all their pilots, mechanics and spare parts etc.

Germany didn't have anywhere near the number of plane that the Allies had at that stage of the war, so they needed to go to the areas of the front where they were most needed, in this fashion. Hence, 'Flying Circus'.

[Hagar]

When all is said & done does it really matter? That fatal bullet could have come from anywhere. Everyone who was there will be dead by now. They're the only ones who really know what happened & even they might not have known for certain. Memory plays tricks over the years & events from the distant past tend to get exaggerated or hazy.

I never understood this obsession with the "Red Baron" when the names & exploits of other aces on both sides (many of them far better pilots) are completely forgotten. I doubt that most members of the general public could name one other WWI fighter ace of any nationality.

PS. Modern reconstructions of historical events, however clever the technology, can only be speculation without accurate evidence. In many cases (& sadly for the historian) no reliable records were kept or ever existed. I imagine this incident was just one of many & would soon be forgotten in the general mayhem of trench warfare. There were far more important things to think about at the time.

[Professor Brensec]

Again, I agree Hagar, and of course, it doesn't really matter. Many people, including the Baron himself, played a part in his 'undoing'.

Although, I thought it was pertinent to bring up the recent doco I saw, in light if the fact that it, according to all reports, is as accurate and based in scientific fact and evidence as can be.

I was especially impressed with the fact that they were able to find original autopsy results which were (given the circumstances of war in general) so detailed.

I imagine that they are as such because of the Barons notoriety. But just the same, to have physicians go into such detail about a war wound during an autopsy (which in itself is unusual) in WWI is obviously exceptional.  ;D

The fact that this evidence has always been available but was never studied in the 'correct light' I suppose is evidence of our species tendency to 'let sleeping dogs lie'.

I suppose, for the sake of the Baron, at the time at least, it was more 'fitting' and 'proper' that he be brought down by a fellow 'Knight'. This I imagine, would have been a consideration when figuring what to say in the 'official accounts'.

[Hagar]

Again, I agree Hagar, and of course, it doesn't really matter. Many people, including the Baron himself, played a part in his 'undoing'.

Although, I thought it was pertinent to bring up the recent doco I saw, in light if the fact that it, according to all reports, is as accurate and based in scientific fact and evidence as can be.

Of course it's pertinent & thanks for posting it. I was merely expressing my opinion of this strange fascination with certain historical characters. Somehow they seem to capture the public's imagination. I never figured out why.

I was especially impressed with the fact that they were able to find original autopsy results which were (given the circumstances of war in general) so detailed.

I'm surprised they bothered with a post-mortem. This was a combat pilot killed in battle. Nothing strange in that whoever he was. He was dead & I can't see how it mattered exactly what killed him. Many 1,000s on both sides disappeared without trace & nobody thought anything of it, except their families. They didn't have the benefit of a post-mortem or inquiry into the cause of death.

I have read so many accounts that state incorrectly that they were so named because of the 'brightly coloured planes'. Also, again incorrectly, there was only one 'Flying Circus' (that of the Red Baron).

I think this stems from Manfred von Richthofen encouraging his pilots to paint their aircraft in distinctive colours. I haven't checked but I believe he was the first squadron commander on either side to do this. It seems strange that the leader would mark himself out as a potential target but maybe the idea was to invite attack or strike terror into the hearts of his opponents. I'm sure I also read that von Richthofen didn't always fly an all-red aircraft. The name "Red Baron" wasn't used until after the end of WWI. He didn't really become famous (infamous) until Charles M. Schultz featured the Red Baron in his Peanuts cartoons. Remember this little chap?

You might also remember the 1966 hit record "Snoopy versus the Red Baron" by the Royal Guardsmen which was based on the cartoon. http://www.petcaretips.net/snoopy_song.html
I suspect that this is the "Red Baron" most people associate with the story, not the real person at all.

PS.

They were squadrons of planes that travelled up and down the front, wherever they were needed, on the back of trucks, like a Circus.
It was, at that time, the quickest way to get the planes from one point to another, with all their pilots, mechanics and spare parts etc.

I find this difficult to believe. The quickest & most convenient way to get an aircraft from one place to another is to fly it there, even during WWI. Pilots of serviceable aircraft wouldn't think much of travelling on trucks. The ground crews make their own way by surface transport. This would be the usual method.

[Professor Brensec]

Here is a transcript of the Nova Doco that I saw, which is the major source for the account I give of Richtofens death:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcript ... baron.html
It's a long read (a whole Doco text), but very interesting in so far as it goes into the Barons emotional state and 'fatalistic' leanings at the time etc.

It contains mention of what I have also read elsewhere regarding the name "Flying Circus", and the way in which they travelled the Front because of the Allie's superior numbers:

They were like a fire fighting service, because they didn't have the numbers to be able to take on the British and the French everywhere along the line. So what they did was, they would pack up their aircraft, go by road, set up camp around three or four airfields around a town, and fight until the danger was over and then move elsewhere. So they were like a traveling circus.

Of course, Hagar, as we've discussed on many occasions, just because someone says it in a Doco or someone writes it in a book, doesn't make it so. But I have read similar explanations as to the origin of the "Flying Circus" nomenclature. I also find it more feasible than naming a whole lot of "Jatsas" flying Circus's, because one of them painted their planes in bright colours.

[Hagar]

Here is a transcript of the Nova Doco that I saw, which is the major source for the account I give of Richtofens death:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcript ... baron.html
It's a long read (a whole Doco text), but very interesting in so far as it goes into the Barons emotional state and 'fatalistic' leanings at the time etc.

Thanks for the link Bren. I haven't read it properly but from what I can make out there's nothing new. Manfred von Richthofen's emotional state was no secret at the time. He was a complex character even before the head injury. Some have described him as a cold & calculated killer, which is no bad thing in a fighter pilot.

It contains mention of what I have also read elsewhere regarding the name "Flying Circus", and the way in which they travelled the Front because of the Allie's superior numbers:

As I said, I haven't read the complete text. Your quote doesn't mention the aircraft being transported by road. The obvious way would be to fly all serviceable aircraft to the new locations, possibly at the end of a mission from a different field. If time was the essence, dismantling them for transport only to reassemble them at the destination seems a strange way of going about it. With these WWI types it isn't a simple matter of bolting the wings back on. Rigging & flight testing would take quite a time even in the best conditions & the aircraft would probably fly quite differently afterwards. I don't think any fighter pilot would think much of that.

Of course, Hagar, as we've discussed on many occasions, just because someone says it in a Doco or someone writes it in a book, doesn't make it so. But I have read similar explanations as to the origin of the "Flying Circus" nomenclature. I also find it more feasible than naming a whole lot of "Jatsas" flying Circus's, because one of them painted their planes in bright colours.

It wasn't just one aircraft. The experienced pilots all had their own bright colour schemes. I can just imagine the typical British reaction when von Richthofen's outfit was first spotted. "Blimey, cop a load of that lot. Looks like a bleedin'

[Professor Brensec]

I agree completely about the 'serviceable aircraft'. It would be silly to do otherwise, as you say.
No, I was referring to the 'Unit' as a whole, of which as you know, only a small part is the Planes themselves. So, the discussion. as such is moot...........at least in that regard.  ;D

I realise it was the whole squadron that painted their planes. (I'm not sure if other Jatstas di, but all of Richtofen's were brightly painted at the time).

As for the actual 'coining' of the name by whom and when, I haven't read (or at least don't recall) anything about that specific.
I imagine it was coined by Historians or some kind of 'onlooker' well after the fact. I don't evn know if it was used during the War. I know the 'Red Baron' was not called so when he lived, at least according to what I've read.

I'm sure you're right when you infer that it was coined by an 'English' person. I don't think the German would have the same effect, if you like.

It's just I've read so many accounts which attribute the name to the 'travelling by road (except serviceable aircraft)', 'pitching tents' and 'camping in field's etc, that it must have some basis in fact.
Of course, your interpretation of how it came about makes as much sense, and I must admit, I have read, albeit many fewer, accounts that the 'weird' paintjobs also made the 'outfit' remsemble a 'Flying Circus'.

I suppose we'll just have to 'agree to disagree'. I can do that you know......

Thanks mate.......

[Hagar]

I suppose we'll just have to 'agree to disagree'. I can do that you know......

Thanks mate.......

I'll go along with that. I'm merely stating what I've always understood until this latest renewed interest in the mythical "Red Baron".

It's just I've read so many accounts which attribute the name to the 'travelling by road (except serviceable aircraft)', 'pitching tents' and 'camping in field's etc, that it must have some basis in fact.

One more point & I'll let it go. If the term "Richthofen's Flying Circus" was used at the time it was almost certainly coined by Allied forces. The important word seems to be "Flying". I don't see any relevance in the way the units were transported from one place to another. It would not be unusual for units on either side to move around in the same way. Allied squadrons often moved from one airfield to another although possibly not on such a regular basis. The pilots flew their aircraft to the new field, sometimes after a mission, & the rest of the squadron made their own way there by road. The ground crews & many pilots often lived in tents on a permanent basis. Only the senior officers would have proper accomodation. Even the hangars were temporary canvas structures so 'pitching tents' & 'camping in fields' would not be anything out of the ordinary.

[RichieB16]

The air war of WWI has always really interested me (I actually consider myself a "buff" on the subject)-I think because of the primative nature of it and that it had a somewhat romantic appearance to it.  But, as a result I have done a lot of research about the war in the air and know some rather interesting things about Manfred von Richthofen.  When people thing of the famous/infamous "Red Baron" they invision a blood red Triplane maneuvering against Sopwith Camels and Neuport fighter aircraft in the legendary "dogfight" style of combat.  The actual facts are the von Richthofen spent the majority of his time flying Albatros biplane fighters (specifically the D.III and D.V models) and most wern't painted completely red.  Also, the vast majority of his "kills" were not against other fighters in "dogfights" but againest larger less maneuverable observation and bomber aircraft which had considerable blindspots where a veteran pilot could maneuver into and unload on it.  All of these facts are in contrast of the common beliefs about him.

You might also remember the 1966 hit record "Snoopy versus the Red Baron" by the Royal Guardsmen which was based on the cartoon. http://www.petcaretips.net/snoopy_song.html
I suspect that this is the "Red Baron" most people associate with the story, not the real person at all.

You know, thats probably a very true statement.  I feel that these types of media have contributed to the legend of the Red Baron.  I feel that most people view him as a kind of folk hero, the same way people view Davey Crocket-as some grand and noble person (when in actuality Davey Crocket was far from it).  Once again, this is an example of a form of media that took a historical figure and made up a fictional story about him.  He was probably chosen not only because he was the highest "scoring" ace of the war, but because he did young and in a somewhat mysterious way.  Plus, he had a signature aircraft which everyone knew him buy (eventhough he didn't fly the red triplane that often) and he was of a royal family.  All of these things probably made him attractive and over time with the help of outside media made him a folk hero.

I never understood this obsession with the "Red Baron" when the names & exploits of other aces on both sides (many of them far better pilots) are completely forgotten.

I think there are a number of factors that contribute to his fame.  First off all, he fought in the first war where aircraft played a visible role (I won't say important role, because they really wern't that important) and he was the highest scoring ace of the war (although there is some evidence that a French ace named Rene Fonck may have had more kills).  He was a young and handsome man from a royal family who went off to war to fight for his country and was highly decorated for it.  In the end, he died a mysterious death in his famous triplane aircraft.  

I doubt that most members of the general public could name one other WWI fighter ace of any nationality.

That maybe true, but you also have to remember that that was so long ago.  I'll bet most people couldn't name more than one or two aces from WWII either except for those who are interested in such things.  In my case, I could name a bunch of WWI aces-many more from WWI than I could from WWII.  Just for example off the top of my head: Lother von Richthofen (Manfred's younger brother), Max Immelmann, Albert Ball, Oswald Bolcke (the man who trained a young pilot named Manfred von Richthofen), Eddie Richekbacker, and Frank Luke just to name a few (in no particular order).  I think there are more people out there that know about these people than it seems.  Many people are interested in this subject.  

[Hagar]

Thanks for your comments Richie. Your interest in this period shows. I was just as interested at one time but this was many years ago & I'm no longer sure of my facts (or what I always regarded as facts until these new theories were mooted).

The air war of WWI has always really interested me (I actually consider myself a "buff" on the subject)-I think because of the primative nature of it and that it had a somewhat romantic appearance to it.

As a student of this period you will know that in reality it was far from romantic. At one point the life expectancy of a pilot was measured in days rather than weeks. They had no parachutes as the higher authorities in their wisdom suspected them of abandoning their aircraft instead of fighting, virtually accusing these brave men of cowardice. Many pilots carried a revolver to use on themselves if the aircraft caught fire as it very often did when hit. This must have been a terrible death.

[quote]I feel that these types of media have contributed to the legend of the Red Baron.

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote].