von Richthofen's funeral on film

Gregvan · 25 January 2009, 07:52 PM

Hi All,

While strolling through the wonderful French website recommended by Bruno on another thread, I came across this very complete video of the official British and Australian film of MvR's funeral. You can find bits of this on Youtube, etc but this is by far the most complete version I've seen on the web:

Amiens, Amiens Cathedral - Archival video of the funeral of Captain Baron von Richthofen

Really amazing stuff, including the chaps picking apart the remains of Dr.I 425/17. Quite astonishing how much effort and honour went into this tribute to a fallen foe - especially considering how little was done for the funeral of someone like McCudden.

Greg

Kirk R. Lowry · 25 January 2009, 08:22 PM

Bonjour Greg

Quite a remarkable display of respect.

Note the fellows peering over the hedge as the grave is filled ... apparently the event attracted great attention ...

Salut!
Kirk

stephen · 26 January 2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregvan

You can find bits of this on Youtube, etc but this is by far the most complete version I've seen on the web:

Its the most complete version I've ever seen at all. Thanks.

R Gannon · 26 January 2009, 03:54 PM

Stephen

I tell you what - I would have liked an hour or two with the honour guard drilling them on 'rest on your arms reversed' - cos it was bloody sloppy. But in fairness they likely had very little rehersal time and I'm sure in the thick of war and had more important things to occupy their time than precision drill.

Cheers Russ.

tcrean7828 · 26 January 2009, 04:30 PM

Mate,
All I can add is that the film flick is amazing - excellent find.

ttfn

tcrean7828

tom

J.R. · 26 January 2009, 05:33 PM

Greg,

Great stuff. I was there in '05 and while the gate is certainly the same all the trees are gone and there are certainly no weeds now. It's funny the area where he was buried looks today like it has never been used except for his grave. The closest civilian graves are a good 100ft away. This is ironic since there is a RFC grave that is among the civilian ones, that of J.A. Miller who was KFA 28 March 1918. Seems like von R was put in a part of the cemetery that wasn't in use, especially in light of the significant weed growth in the film

J.R.

FliegerJG1 · 28 January 2009, 06:43 AM

Greg....thank you, also, for this link! Really interesting to see these different scenes. There certainly was lots of interest/curiosity with people peering over the fence. He wasn't buried very deep it seems however it was a most considerate gesture of them to prepare a nice funeral service.

FliegerJG1

redintheskies · 28 January 2009, 11:46 AM

omg, this is soooooooo interesting. been seeing bits and pieces of it, but now, it looks more complete. thank you! this helps me!

J.R. · 28 January 2009, 07:01 PM

Guys,

BTW, I would love to find more information on Miller 'The lonely grave of Bertangles". I believe Mike O'Conner wrote in one of his books that he was American. Can anyone confirm this.

Any feed back would be welcome.

J.R.

FliegerJG1 · 29 January 2009, 04:52 AM

J.R.,

This information comes from "Airfields & Airmen--Somme".

Miller was indeed from the USA. He was a member of 24 Squadron and had been with them only 26 days before he was killed on March 28, 1918 as his plane took off when the squadron moved from Bertangles to Conteville.

FliegerJG1