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Auction: 25360 - The 360th Anniversary Sale
Lot: 16

DEATH OF BARON MANFRED VON RICHTHOFEN SILVER MEDAL

Death of Baron Manfred von Richtofen, AR Medal, 1918, by Karl Goetz, RITTMEISTER . MANFRED . FRHR . V. RICHTHOFEN, uniformed bust of the World War I Ace of Aces ¾ left, rev. DER . ROTE . KAMPF FLIEGER, Eagle left, calling upwards to heaven, tombstone, trophies behind, arrow through "80" - number of kills, above, edge lettered: BAYER . HAUPTMÜNZAMT . FEINSILBER, 36.7mm. 19.62g, 12h (Kienast 288).
Matte, uncirculated.

Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen, known by the English as the Red Baron was a WW1 celebrated fighter pilot with 80 "kills" accredited to his name. He joined the Air Service from the cavalry in 1915 and quickly established himself as a ruthless fighter pilot.

Most famous for leading the "Flying Circus" of brightly coloured planes which moved up and down the front lines; his own Fokker triplane a Dr. 1 was painted blood red. He was shot down near Vaux-sur-Somme on 21st April 1918 amongst some controversy. During his time on the Western Front he was awarded many medals and orders culminating in the Pour le Merite in January 1917 after his 18th "kill".

He received full military honours and one wreath at his funeral bore the words, " To our gallant and worthy foe". Parts of his plane and personal items are spread in museums in the UK, Canada and Australia; the Imperial War Museum in London has his engine on display.

When asked by his mother what motivated him, his answer was simple, "For the man in the trenches. I want to ease his hard lot in life by keeping the enemy fliers away from him."



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Estimate
£180 to £220

Starting price
£5