At a time when 20 aircraft kills were considered exceptional, Manfred Albrecht [Freiherr] von Richthofen earned his legendary status by shooting down 80 enemy aircraft. Was he a cold-blooded warrior, or a more complex character than his legend would have us believe?
In Richthofen’s own words: “I never get into an aircraft for fun. I aim first for the head of the pilot, or rather at the head of the observer if there is one.” He also wrote that he felt terrible whenever he finished a mission. For propaganda reasons, the German military would have wanted Richthofen to appear as a hero, but did he ever feel like one?
After a quarter century serving in the British Army, our speaker Peter Fellowes, embarked on a second, long career in the UK Ports and Maritime Industry. Soon after retirement in 2014, he joined the WFA to learn more and broaden his range of interest in WWI.
The meeting will take place at our usual venue, The Allotment Social Club,
West Allotments, and will commence at 7.45 pm for an 8.00 pm start.
There will be a raffle as usual and entrance to the meeting is by donation of £4.