Peter Kilduff's new book

[Germanophile-1]

Thanks, Lloyd.

What is the software needed to converrt the article text?

Peter

[Germanophile-1]

Thanks, Lloyd.

What is the software needed to convert the article text?

Peter

[Germanophile-1]

tcrean7828 wrote:

"Mate,
Peter thanks for the insight and the comeback - I am presently working on one of Werner Voss and it could come out in the next couple of years - I hope.

cul (see you later)

tom"

Keep at it, Tom. AFIK, no one has done a full book on Voss. Analyzing his victories would be a quite a feat.

Peter

[Germanophile-1]

FliegerJG1 wrote:

"Hello Peter!

Welcome to our Forum discussions! It’s a pleasure to have your voice amongst us! When my interest in Manfred was in its infancy, your books are what nurtured it and kept it going. I am most grateful to you for all your labors dedicated to Manfred von Richthofen and the German Air Service.

Amongst everything I’ve read about MvR, very little is dedicated to his time spent in the Prussian cadet schools. Have you ever seen any records of his education or photos of him in any school yearbooks or classes? I’ve seen other students, just not Manfred. This would be interesting to explore further.

Many thanks in advance!

FliegerJG1"
=======

You make a compelling case for more MvR research! And also speak to the nay-sayers who gripe about too many MvR books. Given the interest in MvR's life and times, there is still room for more digging into his story.

End of digression and on to your question. Yes, there is more information about his cadet days, but it's more suitable for an article vs. a book. Or a chapter in a companion volume to my new book (and that's only a dream at this point).

Since you have been following this interest since at least 1993, let me share some background info with you: The original manuscript for Richthofen: Beyond the Legend of the Red Baron (BLRB) was more than twice the size of what finally appeared in print. To have published the entire manuscript would have resulted in a book so expensive as to be out of the reach of average readers. (Think in terms of very nice but high-priced Schiffer books.) So, market forces dictated that the original BLRB be cut in half. Thank goodness for my computer, which allowed me to replicate the original floppy (I still don't trust hard drives for storing full texts with no back-up). Then it was simply a matter of doing a fierce edit on the big text, after which the editor did some more trimming.

Happily, the success of that book led to the publisher's asking for a JG I book, which began as the "left-overs" from BLRB, greatly enhanced by the [then] recent acquisition of a load of original Kommandeur der Flieger reports that supported or amplified the work-in-progress. But the bottom line was: the manuscript had to come in at no more than 90,000 words.

So, even though I have lots more material, the "market" simply won't allow for a full-length treatment with all the various MvR and related facts, contentions, etc. within one set of book covers. That's how I ended up doing the MvR bio, JG I history and Illustrated Red Baron for Arms and Armour.

As I continued to collect, dig up, luck into and otherwise tuck aside more, newer and/or better info, I was as ready as ready could be when David & Charles asked for my latest RB volume.

And, yes, if it's successful, I'm ready to go to work on a companion volume. So, Herr Rittmeister, I hope that answers your question.

Peter

[josef scott]

Peter,

Best of luck with the new volume(s). "Beyond the Legend of the Red Baron" was THE book that, for better or worse, re-introduced me to this wonderful, bottomless subject. Thank you very much. I would love to see something else along the lines of "Germany's First Air Force, 1914-1918" come out...

[ZAK]

Germanophile-1,

in the German magazine FLIEGERREVUE, 12/07, this review of "Dr. Joachim Castan: Der Rote Baron ", a biography of MvR, could be found. Please are you so kind, with your knowledge of German, to translate it for this forum.

"Das Manfred von Richthofen ein typisches Produkt seiner Zeit war, ist keine neue Erkenntnis. Die vom Autor bemängelte "Unnahbarkeit" gegenüber Untergebenen taugt - sofern sie wirklich zutraf - ebenfalls nicht als verwerfliches Handeln. Auch Richthofens Instrumentalisierung im Dritten Reich ist ein alter Hut. Mit einer gewagten medizinischen Expertise wird der erfolgreichste Jagdflieger des Ersten Weltkriegs nach einer Kopfverletzung im Juli 1917 sogar als geistesgestört erklärt. Das sich der Autor schließlich seitenlang darüber auslässt, warum Richthofen keine Liaison mit dem anderen Geschlecht nachzuweisen ist, muss schon sehr verwundern. Welche Schlussfolgerung soll der Leser wohl daraus ziehen? Auch der Anspruch, auf bisher unbekannte Quellen aus dem Familienarchiv zurückgegriffen zu haben, verwundert. Im Mai 1945 wurde Richthofens Wohnsitz in Schlesien restlos ausgeplündert. Gewiss ist eine kritische Richthofen-Biografie überfällig, zumal der Name im Traditionsverständnis der Bundeswehr eine gewichtige Rolle spielt. Fehlender fachlicher Tiefgang und ideologisch motivierte Schnellschüsse sind allerdings nicht gefragt. Hier hat sich leider jemand arg verhoben. M.T."


ZAK

PS Where is the original thread of the Castan-book?

[rammjaeger]

Here is the original thread of the Castan book:
New Richthofen biography

PS: Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, daß Peter dem Rittmeister nicht "mangelnden Angriffsgeist" attestieren wird, wie ein anderer "Historiker" auf diesem Forum.
Ein gutes Gefühl!

[ZAK]

Rammjäger,

besten Dank!

ZAK

[Laserlloyd]

Hi Zak:

I just ran this thou a translator, It's close but not 100%.

Hope this helps...

Manfred von Richthofen a typical product of its time was, is no new realization. Of the author criticized " Unnahbarkeit" opposite Untergebenen is suited - if it really did not apply - likewise as despicable acting. Also Richthofens instrumentalization in the third realm is an old hat. With a daring medical expert's assessment the most successful flighter pilot of the First World War is explained after a head injury in July 1917 even as spirit-disturbed. The author finally sidelong over the fact omits itself why Richthofen is not to be proven Liaison with the other sex, must surprise already much. Which conclusion is to probably pull the reader from it? Also the requirement to unknown sources from family archives to have fallen back surprises. In May 1945 Richthofens domicile in Schlesien was completely plundered. Certainly a critical Richthofen Biografie is overdue, particularly since the name in the tradition understanding of the German Federal Armed Forces plays a weighty role. Missing ones technical depth and ideologically motivated high-speed shots are not in demand however. Here someone has itself badly unfortunately lifted. M.T.

Lloyd...

[crankcase]

Originally Posted by Laserlloyd

Hi Zak:
I just ran this thou a translator, It's close but not 100%.
.....
Lloyd...

I touched it up just a bit for clarification...
" Manfred von Richthofen a typical product of its time was, is no new realization. The author's criticism of "UNAPPROACHABILITY" by SUBORDINATES - if it really did apply - is no ground for reproach. Also Richthofens instrumentalization in the third REICH is an old hat. With a daring medical expert's assessment the most successful flighter pilot of the First World War is explained after a head injury in July 1917 even as MENTALLY DISABLED... (etc. SOME DRIVEL ON SPECULATION OVER MvR LACK OF LIAISON WITH OPP. SEX...) Which conclusion is the reader TO DRAW from it? Also the requirement to USE unknown sources from family archives CAUSES WONDER. In May 1945 Richthofens domicile in Schlesien was completely plundered. Certainly a critical Richthofen Biografie is overdue, particularly since the name in the tradition understanding of the German Federal Armed Forces plays a weighty role. Missing ones technical depth and ideologically motivated high-speed shots are not in demand however. Here someone has itself badly unfortunately lifted.(GET THE DRIFT? )

I AM IN NORWALK CT. TODAY, HEADING ON TO N.Y.C.
WHERE CAN I FIND PETER'S NEW BOOK???
greetings to all
CC (still cranking the case!)