The Red Baron’s gift to Jasta 11 pilot Fritz Lübbert

[Royalla]

Friedrich-Wilhelm “Fritz” Lübbert (brother of Eduard “Edy” Lübbert who was killed in action in March 1917) of Jasta 11 was seriously wounded on 17 February 1918. Manfred von Richthofen paid him frequent visits in hospital and on one of those occasions gave him a special gift. I do not think this story is known to many since it is only mentioned in Fritz Lübbert’s private diary which (as far as I know, but correct me any time) has not been published in print. I came across it in a museum.

This is my translation of an extract from the diary:
(entry of 16 March 1918)
“Just let me see what I have with me today.” He unbuttons his good old leather jacket (which he wore almost constantly), takes off his EK I, hands it over to me and says: “I want to give this to you.” One of my greatest desires had been fulfilled. I had been given the EK I and it was the cross that our famous and best air fighter had been wearing himself for many years. I really had not expected this! Two days later Richthofen brought me the Flugzeugführerabzeichen. That was the last time that I saw this magnificent man.”

Since Lübbert was partly Jewish, MvR’s obvious respect and affection for the man clearly show that he did not care for the anti-semitism that was already dwelling in Germany at that time. Another point to his score!
It also proves once more how generous he was when it came to his medals (thinking e.g. of Eduard Dostler who was allowed to wear MvR’s PLM for the party thrown when he received the telegram that told him he was in for the Blauer Max).

MvR’s/Lübbert’s EK I and the diary are today in the collection of the Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr (army history museum) in Dresden / Germany. The medal’s backside bears a carved in signature of MvR which is of course fascinating but also puzzling. I have one of these Iron Crosses in my collection and it does not have a blank backside such as this one but an elaborated one. Can someone throw any light on this?

For the museum item desription (in German) together with larger pictures of Lübbert, his diary and the Iron Cross with MvR’s signature, visit Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr - Startseite and search the site for Lübbert.

NOTE
Being such a good girl I could translate the museum page and post the result here if someone were interested. Someone? I can also read and write the old German Suetterlin font used in MvR’s time so I can help with old documents- just contact me.

Pic 1: The gift


Pic 2 : Fritz Lübbert

[frontflieger]

Thanks for the hint - now I know: I am to visit Dresden again

Thorsten

[Taz]

Royalla- Great stuff. Thanks.

Welcome to the Forum and it sounds like you have a great deal to contribute.

Taz
Terry Phillips

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour Royalla

A most interesting submission ... thank you for the contribution.

Manfred von Richthofen certainly was an inspiring leader of men. I wonder if the E.K.I was often awarded in such a manner and copies were manufactured with the signature ... Napoléon would often remove the Légion d'honneur from the tunic to present to an individual in the field and, it would seem, was always prepared to do so.

Salut!
Kirk

[FOKKERJ]

Hello Royalla,

Willkommen to the Aerodrome.
Thank you for sharing the story and fotografs.
Also the offer to translate German and decipher the Suetterlin font.
We have excellent translators on both sides of the Pond, I know that there's always room for more and that you are a welcome addition.
Anyone that reads Suetterlin is an added asset.

Feel free to ask any questions that you may have. I look forward to your participation here.

Best Wishes, FOKKERJ

We will have to show you how to post larger images.
With great fotografs like yours, it's a shame not to be able to view them larger. I use Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

[rammjaeger]

Welcome!

... and thank you for the interesting lines of Lübbert´s diary!
I hope we can enjoy many more of your contributions in the future.

As well here should be grateful noted the MHM Dresden provides room(s) for lectures of the "Arbeitskreis Sächsische Militärgeschichte" since many years. By the way the next topic of our lectures (this Saturday, 10 a.m.) is
"Der Beitrag der Königlich Sächsischen Armee zur Militärluftschifffahrt" (Dr. Schulz).

No doubt, the Museum will become a real sensation after the end of the reconstruction!

With best wishes
Hannes

[FliegerJG1]

Royalla,

Welcome to the Aerodrome! You do appear to have much to contribute here!

The diary and EK I are an amazing find! They provide further evidence of MvR's kindness, generosity and concern for others. We also see a little bit of the playful nature in his personality. Please do keep us informed of any other treasures you discover.

FliegerJG1

[StephenLawson]

Originally Posted by Royalla

". . .For the museum item desription (in German) together with larger pictures of Lübbert, his diary and the Iron Cross with MvR’s signature, visit Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr - Startseite and search the site for Lübbert.

NOTE
Being such a good girl I could translate the museum page and post the result here if someone were interested. Someone? I can also read and write the old German Suetterlin font used in MvR’s time so I can help with old documents- just contact me."

Yes, you are a wonderful lady and may I express my sincerest thanks for your posting. Very cool.

[JG1Hautzmayer]

Royalla,

Great story which really brings von Richthofen to life and shows a bit of his personality.
The new von Richthofen movie "Der Rote Baron," touched on the issue of Jewish pilots in the Great War, and it's nice to see something that supports a bit of the attitude displayed in that movie. Unfortunately this aspect of the movie was discounted as "just so much political correctness," by many Germans here

Paul

[crankcase]

Originally Posted by JG1Hautzmayer

Royalla,
Great story which really brings von Richthofen to life and shows a bit of his personality.
The new von Richthofen movie "Der Rote Baron," touched on the issue of Jewish pilots in the Great War, and it's nice to see something that supports a bit of the attitude displayed in that movie. Unfortunately this aspect of the movie was discounted as "just so much political correctness," by many Germans here
Paul

Ok, Ok, we hear you! We can stand corrected on this point.

By the way, where is this movie now circulating? I am waiting for it in Bucharest.
marc