The Red Baron's brush with death
depicted in
"Von Richthofen"
Painting by Troy White 1998 ©, Oil on Canvas, 40" x 30" For sale
Late in the morning of July 6, 1917, Rittmeister Frhr. Von Richthofen (The Red Baron) led nine of his men on a patrol to intercept a number of British aircraft that were operating behind German lines. After identifying the aircraft as FE2ds, von Richthofen positioned his staffel to obtain a tactical advantage and commence an attack on the interloping Englishmen. Upon sighting the Germans, the FE2ds of No. 20 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, turned into the potential threat. One aircraft, piloted by Capt. D.C. Cunnell with observer 2nd Lt. A.E. Woodbridge, began to fire while still at extreme range.
Von Richthofen’s own account describes the action: “After some time we approached so close to the last plane that I began to consider a means of attacking him. (Lt. Kurt) Wolff was flying below me. The hammering of a German machine gun indicated to me that he was fighting. Then my opponent turned and accepted the fight but at such a distance that one could hardly call it a real air fight. I had not even prepared my gun for fighting, for there was lots of time before I could begin to fight. Then I saw that the enemy’s observer (Woodbridge), probably from sheer excitement, opened fire. I let him shoot, for a distance of 300 yards and more the best marksmanship is helpless. One does not hit the target at such a distance. Now he flies toward me and I hope that I will succeed in getting behind him and opening fire. Suddenly something strikes me in the head…”
Von Richthofen had been shot behind the left ear. Momentarily blinded and paralyzed, he managed to regain control of his senses and aircraft to make an emergency landing on a Flanders field behind German lines. In 1968 several photos taken by one of the German soldiers at the scene of his emergency landing surfaced. Those photos provided conclusive evidence as to what “The Red Baron’s” Albatros looked like the first time he was shot down.
It is still not known for certain that a bullet from the gun of Lt. Woodbridge was responsible for downing von Richthofen. Some historians contend that he was actually hit by a bullet fired from the guns of one of his staffel because von Richthofen was hit from such an angle that the bullet must have come from behind, where most of his staffel was positioned. Whatever the case, von Richthofen' s ability to survive this incident is indicative of his skills as a pilot.
Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen in a formal portrait and Albatros D.V Scout aircraft of his "Flying Circus" Jasta 11 photographed on the flight line during the summer of 1917.
The Red Baron in flying togs is seen describing a combat beside the Albatros D.V Scout in which he was nearly killed on July 6, 1917.
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