von Richthofen's Reputation

15 December 1998, 09:34 AM

How did the allied pilots see the Baron? Did they think of him as a meet-him-on-a-stormy-night-and-meet-your-doom kind of guy or a formidible opponent that it would be a challenge to dogfight with? Just curious.

Thanks in advance,
Eric

15 December 1998, 09:42 AM

They feared him enough to send at least one flight of Spad 7's with the sole mission of shooting him down. It turned out that the Spads were badly mauled, and their leader, who was a notied pilot who's name I forgot, was killed.
Jeni

Barrett · 15 December 1998, 10:59 AM

Arthur Gould Lee of No. 45 Squadron refers to MvR a number of times in "No Parachute." Upon learning he'd be flying Pups in Jasta 11's OpArea, I recall that AGL expressed some concern as to his immediate future. Nothing like "Omigod! I'm toast!" but definite worry.

Rittm · 15 December 1998, 11:08 AM

Was there any truth to the bounty reward placed upon Richthofen's head by the Allies?
Rittm

15 December 1998, 01:53 PM

I doubt it.
Jeni

mike_baram · 15 December 1998, 01:58 PM

If I were assigned to fly against MvR, I would probably paint the following phrase on my upper wing:
"Moritandis te saluens."

15 December 1998, 02:05 PM

Speaking of bounty on one's head, I heard Billy Bishop had a price on his head, so he painted the nose of his Nieuport blue.

15 December 1998, 02:33 PM

To All,
I don't think that any Allied pilot's were actually afraid of MvR that much that they wouldn't do their duty. I think that many of them wanted to be the one that got the credit for bringing him down.
Personally speaking if I were in that position, i would not underestimate him, but I would be happy for the honor to fight him, because I would wait for him to make the fatal error. If I died then so be it, it would be a good day to die. We all gotta go sometime and if you can choose your own manner of dying, then a warrior's death is what I'd take. I guess I'm enough of a cowboy to try to take down the top gun.
VBR,
Jim

15 December 1998, 05:17 PM

OH MY GOD!!

Jim, I bet you are in your early 20s, if even. Spoken like a true wanna be warrior!
Tell me, ever flown an airplane?, ever been out of contol?, ever been shot at?, how about a nice dogfight with 7 or 8 Gs that drain the blood from your eyes?, ever seen a frind die in an airplane crash right in front of you........I have, to all of the above!...................grow up!

Rittm · 15 December 1998, 05:25 PM

Wow C. Grube!
You know I don't read any of Jim ace's posts, but that last remark of yours really had me curious. But I've still got will power.

Mike,
Was that Latin for Salute to Death?

Rittm