The Red Baron Chapter Notes

The Red Baron Chapter notes

Introduction

Richthofen’s first original copy of his journal was published in 1917 in Germany only, the year before he was shot down. It has been 70 years since the new release of his journal in English. Richthofen was the best aviator of his time, not because of his confirmed kills or crashes, but because of his quick learning abilities and actions of his plane. Back in the 19th century planes were just being introduced, this means that there were no handbooks or plane guides. You had to learn everything for yourself. Richthofen was also a great and firm leader, this helped him teach his other fellow German aviators. Richthofen was killed by a single bullet by flying too low to the ground on April 21st, 1918.

Preface

First time his journal was published in English. It helped teach fellow aviators from across the world to learn simple movements. All aviators tried to keep a knightliness during combat, they’d rather have the opposing aviator land instead of them getting killed. It also briefly speaks about how the German army wasn't the perfect image everyone imagined. It also speaks about the rare twin engine planes during the great war, a scary sight to see on the opposite side at the time.

Chapter 1

Richthofen briefly describes how all his family was mostly country people. If they were not countrymen they had entered the state service. Richthofen’s father was in the cavalry before and most of his relatives and cousins were as well. As a young child Richthofen entered the cadet corps. His father basically made him, which he was not fond of but wanted to make his father proud. Richthofen was never really “good” at learning, he had to be motivated or driven by something. Richthofen had also loved sports as a young child, especially the risky ones. He was always known for taking risk. At his school he climbed an extremely high tree and navigated it perfectly and at the top put a handkerchief. 10 years later he visits and there it sits still. Richthofen was placed in the 1st Regiment of Uhlans, or under Emperor Alexander the third and went into the calvary. Richthofen and his fellow comrades thought that there would be no war at the time, just a big discussion would happen. Next day they were called to the front. The cavalry was always first to go in and scout the area, due to their speed and mobility.

Chapter 2

Chapter two speaks about how Richthofen’s first flight in a plane he was an observer. An observer helps guide the aviator with maps and objectives. Richthofen was very nervous about entering the planes at first. He would hug the sides of it and hold on a good amount of time. Richthofen speaks about the “ American Swings” , a very dangerous maneuver that only aces could perform, this made him nauseous a lot. But once Richthofen had been in the air once, he dared to go again and again. Richtofen also explains how being in the cavalry was very similar to being in the Flying Corps. He had to fly to get reconnaissance and bring it back, just like the calvary. Holck, was his first teacher about planes and flew into Russia. Holck was also a very daring man, just like Richthofen. This is why they had gotten along so well during the reconnaissance flights. Holck was sometimes crazy with his aerial maneuvers and almost threw Richthofen out! They had to make an emergency landing in the Russian lines, the engine had ceased, lucky Richthofen had carried with him a handgun,Holck did not. Worried that they’d have to hold themselves off and run they hid. They saw a figure running from the woods, this figure was a man from the German Army who had view the crash and sent out a rescue team. On August 21st, 1915, Richthofen was transferred to his “ big fighting machine” or also known as a bomber. On his first flight, Richthofen had already spotted a submarine, which he obviously loved throwing bombs at. During that flight he was injured, his bomb had crushed his finger and made it destroyed for the time. He also enters his first aerial combat in this chapter.

Chapter 3

Richthofen received his first single cab fighter plane, the model was the best German Fokker plane. On October 1st, 1915 Richthofen took his first practice flight in his new flying machine. Richthofen’s first solo flight was in his Fokker was on October 10th, 1915.Richtofen was very scared about flying alone. Richtofen’s first flight he had earned his first confirmed kill. The downside of his first flight was his poor landing. His first landing consisted of his crashing