Probably one of the most puzzling questions of World War I is who shot down Manfred Von Richthofen known as the "Red Baron". Manfred von Richthofen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The question still remains, who shot down the Baron? In my opinion I think Brown may have put a few rounds in Richthofen's plane, but Popkin may have fired the fatal shot. Just my two cents. So, who do you think shot down the Red Baron?
The Death of Manfred von Richthofen (ps - this is a ww2 forum) I suppose that you could stretch it as Manfreds younger brother went on to hold high office in the Luftwaffe. I wonder what would have happened with Manfred von Richthofen should he have survived. We all know what happened with Göring. Regards Tom
Was the Richthofen squadron anything especially different from the rest of the Luftwaffe in world war two? I know they existed, and still do - you can still see the 'R' emblem from time to time on the side of modern planes, but I haven't heard much on their exploits
"In The Skies Of France A Chronicle Of JG 2 Richthofen Vol 1 1934-1940 It has taken more than 60 years for this first detailed history of the second fighter wing of the Luftwaffe to appear, a chronicle of Jagdgeschwader 2. Conducting operations principally over France and the Channel, JG 2 was destined to become one of the most celebrated of German fighter units, accorded extensive coverage by the propaganda services of the Reich. Awarded the honour title "Richthofen" as early as 1935, JG 2 spearheaded the campaign in the West and the assault against England in the Battle of Britain. The unit remained in France when the majority of German fighter units were dispatched eastwards for the invasion of Russia during the spring of 1941. Tasked with defending the airspace of Brittany, Normandy and much of Picardy along the French Channel coastline, JG 2 constituted a bulwark against the incursions of the RAF and USAF. Despite the unit's heavy losses sustained during WW II, the authors managed to locate around one hundred JG 2 veterans and their personal accounts and photographs bring this history vividly to life and imbue it with a human dimension which many will find moving. This first volume of the history of JG 2 covers the early years of the unit from its origins to the turn of the year 1940/1941."
It has been accepted for many years that AIF ground fire shot down 'The Red Baron'. Have moved this to pre-war.
This looks to be a decent article. And speaking of books (what's that??? ) I like Norman Franks although I haven't read this one.
There was a documentary a few years back that claimed the fatal shot was fired from ground troops. I forget the full details but hopefully someone else has a better memory than me!
I think the book on the Red Baron by Norman Franks tell it all. He contends that Roy Brown was not in a position to have fired the fatal shot. The bullet was supposed to have entered the Barons right chest area and travelled through his body until it tipped the heart. Any one behind the plane could not have managed to do that. I am not even sure it was Popkin, must remember that lots of ground troops were firing at the time and it could have been anyone of them. The main thing of course that he was eliminated. david
I added a third 'general ground fire' option to the poll. Not much of a planiac, but I have to confess a childhood fascination with the DR1, something 'special' about them in that brightly coloured plumage. Dutch Aviation Our next door neighbour when I was a kid built a large flying model of one with a monstrous 15cc engine. It sticks with me as one of the most impressive models I ever saw (crashed on it's first flight )
Well, Herr Fokker was Dutch indeed. Lots of Dr.I profiles for you here, plus some more general eye candy here, Adam The Dr.I in model terms is a b1tch to fly, too short a nose moment, and the elevator moment is too close coupled as, a complete recipe for model disaster!
Wasn't it finally put down a few years ago to a group of Aussie Lewis Gunners on the ground? Three of them, and they could only find names for two, and it was most likely the third who fired the fatal round. A later letter from Brown describing his part in the combat indicated that whoever HE fired at, it couldn't have been the Baron.
The Red Baron's intended victim on that fateful flight was much relieved that someone, anyone ended von Richtofen's run. I'm sure he would have preferred that it was his countryman, Roy Brown, but all signs point to the Aussies. The post war flying career of that pilot "Wop" May is quite interesting. His role in the pursuit of "The Mad Trapper of Rat River" is fascinating.
A few years ago I saw an obit in the telegraph of an Australian Solider and it was said he killed the Red Baron. Read one or two books on the matter they all had no conclusions as to who had shot him down so gave it to May. Apparantly he was wounded not long before and i wondered if this shook his invinceability?
Hi all as above it was Snoopy of course - dont you remember the song!! Yes I remember seeing a doco on it , but sorry cant remember who they said so I voted for general ground fire- by an Aussie of course! regards Robert
