Today In History 1918: Manfred Von Richthofen, AKA “The Red Baron”, recognized as the greatest fighter pilot of World War 1, is killed in action over France. Richthofen had over 80 victories in war and held most pilot records at the time of his death. He was just 25 years old

Ok, so let's learn more about him. What do you say? . .

Von Richthofen was born May 2, 1892 in Wroclaw, in what is now Poland. He was the 2nd child of 4 to a prominent Prussian aristocratic family. in 1911 he graduated from Cadet school and joined the Ulanen-Regiment, which was a cavalry regiment of the Prussian Army

As the great war hit Von Richthofen felt unchallenged in the cavalry and asked to be transferred to the flight program. He joined the flying service in May of 1915. There he met the famous German flying ace, Oswald Boelcke, and became a member of Jagdgeschwader - flight squadron

On November 23, 1916, Von Richthofen defeated the legendary British ace Major Lanoe Hawker, and the legend of the Red Baron was born. . By January 1917 Richthofen took command of the Jagdgeschwader.

The aerial maneuvers and formations of his squadron were so perfect that they became known as the "Flying Circus" - with Von Richthofen's Red-painted Fokker plane leading the way.

But on April 21, 1918 the Flying Circus were chasing enemy planes near vaux-sur-somme, France. Von Richthofen's cousin, Wolfram von Richthofen, was in danger and Manfred was shot down over enemy lines trying to save him. He managed to land the plane but died shortly after.

Actual footage of Manfred Von Richthofen, AKA - The Red Baron