Manfred von Richthofen, First World War, Military Aviation History, U.S. naval aviation -- and research into these subjects
Music
An eclectic variety of classical music, film soundtracks, country and western, zydecko, and many other tunes that sound good to me and to Pearl, our family cat.
Movies
Many, many film genres, with a special interest in WW I aviation-themed films that, while not entirely historically accurate, go a long way toward evoking the "feel" of the times as I was given understand it from surviving WW I fliers I once knew. These include: "Wings" (1927), "Lilac Time" (1928), "Hell's Angels" (1930), "Dawn Patrol" (1930 & 1938), "Lafayette Escadrille" (1958), "The Blue Max" (1966), "The Great Waldo Pepper" (1975), and "Flyboys" (2006).
Television
Historical documentaries, science fiction, and such cop shows as "Law & Order"; the latter due to my service as a city policeman a long time ago (does that make me sound like Obiwan Kenobi, or what?).
Manfred von Richthofen and WW I fliers of all nations who did not survive the war -- plus an interesting "gang" of surviving World War I fliers I had the pleasure of knowing in their twilight years: Clayton Knight, Oberstltn.d.Res.a.D. Hanns-Gerd Rabe, Carl A. Dixon, Oscar Bechtle, Douglas Campbell, Johannes Knauer, Major Cecil Montgomery-Moore, Oskar Kuppinger, Hyman C. Block, Major d.Res.a.D. Carl Degelow, Oberst a.D. Paul Strähle, and Generaloberst a.D. Alfred Keller to name a few.
"RED BARON: The Life and Death of an Ace" is my 12th book on an aviation history subject and my sixth on Richthofen. I have also written numerous articles for aviation anthologies, historical journals, and newspapers. I am a founder, President Emeritus and Director Emeritus of The League of World War I Aviation Historians, now 21 years "young," and an editor of its quarterly journal "Over the Front" (please visit the League's website www.overthefront.com).
Over more than 40 years, I have gathered unique information and photographs about Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen and his era. My earlier books include the first modern translation of Richthofen's memoirs (1969), a Red Baron biography (1993) that has also been translated into Polish and Italian, and an operational history of the Jagdgeschwader [air wing] he led (1997).
About the RED BARON
During World War I, Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen was renowned among Allied airmen as the feared Red Baron, after he famously painted his planes red (or mostly red, as seen in the photo gallery below), and made himself instantly recognizable in the air. His gallantry and boldness as a battle commander won him trust and respect from those around him, but also led to him being used as a propaganda icon during the war.
On 21 April 1918, Manfred von Richthofen was shot down and killed at age 25. His outstanding leadership and tactical contributions to the war, as well as his individual daring and bravery, secured for him a distinguished reputation in life -- and, even in death, he remained an important figure in cultivating and reinforcing public support for the war among the German people.
In "Red Baron: The Life and Death of an Ace," I examine the life and times of World War I's highest-scoring fighter ace, Manfred von Richthofen: his comrades and enemies, the planes he flew, the battles he fought in, the political climate that caused his eventual disenchantment and new information about the controversial circumstances of his death.
While writing this book, I drew on new material from former East German military archives and gathered fresh insights into existing sources, including Richthofen's little-seen medical records, "Red Baron: The life and Death of an Ace" is a portrait of a fascinating man whose reputation for bravery, honor and integrity have stood the test of time. I am especially grateful to members of the Richthofen family and the current Luftwaffe's Richthofen Geschwader for helping me better understand Manfred von Richthofen.
