WANTED:Dead or Alive

[Billy_Bishop]

HEY!! Does anyone know anything about supposed bounties put on various pilots?

Supposedly, one was offered for MvR, Bishop, Ball, and others. Is there any proof to these rumours? Or is it just another myth of WWI that's been circulated and expanded upon???

VBR,

Al Lowe

Members of JG1 talked widely about the British "anti-Richthofen squadron". IMHO, this was just an opinion based possibly upon seeing RFC planes with red markings and believing that the markings somehow symbolized a British challenge to them personally. This would strengthen the Germans belief that they were important enough to warrant special attention from the Brits - good for their own morale. On the other hand, Allied accounts of the airwar often included reference to Richthofen's flying circus, so JG1 obviously was well known to the Brits.

While a glory-seeking individual might be inclined to want to have a go at MvR, I cant believe that British policy would be specifically designed to get him. However, thinking about the death of von Eschwege by explosive balloon, who knows? Maybe these things did happen. If so, you would think they occured as a result of the orders of local commanders who were hit hard by a pesky enemy. At some point, you might resort to anything to get him, dead or alive.

p.s. How are you Al old boy? Havent been around in quite a while and hope to be back regularly after we make yet another move. Mark

[leo]

As far as I can tell, it seems to be a rumor, but a persistant one. Similar rumors circulated among the Austrian and Italian air forces.

[Billy_Bishop]

Getting over walking pneumonia is a long process.

Otherwise, I'm fine.

VBR,

Al

[Vin]

Of any bounty, presumably the biggest would be on the head of Von Richthofen. Perhaps that explains the ongoing dispute as to who shot him down. If you cannot be certain then the claim does not have to be paid. Did Brown or Popkin go home to Canada or Australia, respectively, wealthier men ?


Vin