Today in Aviation History: The Red Baron’s Final Aerial Victories

On April 20, 1918, Manfred von Richthofen—better known as the Red Baron—claimed his final two aerial victories, bringing his total to 80. The very next day, the famed German ace was shot down, ending a legendary career that made him the most feared and celebrated pilot of World War I. Today, we remember the final chapter in the life of the "Ace of Aces" and the enduring legacy he left in aviation history.

Austin Hancock
Austin Hancock
In 1916, early in his fighting career, Leutnant von Richthofen returns from a flight in a Fokker D.II. (IWM Q 58028)
Alan Armstrong 729
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On this day in aviation history, we mark the 107th anniversary of Manfred von Richthofen’s final aerial victories. On April 20, 1918, the famed German ace, known around the world as the Red Baron, claimed his 79th and 80th kills in combat (2nd Lt. DG Lewis survived the encounter). Just one day later, on April 21, Richthofen was shot down and killed, bringing an end to the legendary career of one of World War I’s most feared and celebrated fighter pilots. Richthofen earned the title of “Ace of Aces” for his extraordinary skill in aerial combat, becoming a symbol of both fear and respect in the skies over war-torn Europe during the 1910s.

Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron.

Born on May 2, 1892, in Kleinburg (now part of modern-day Poland), Manfred von Richthofen came from a prominent Prussian aristocratic family and enjoyed a privileged upbringing. He began military school at the age of 11, where he began shaping the disciplined foundation that would serve him throughout his military career. After graduating from cadet training, he joined a Uhlan cavalry unit and initially served as a reconnaissance officer when the First World War broke out. However, with cavalry becoming increasingly obsolete on the modern battlefield, his unit was soon disbanded.

The red Fokker Dr1 of Manfred von Richthofen on the ground
The iconic red Fokker Dr1 triplane of Manfred von Richthofen on the ground

A pivotal moment in Richthofen’s life came in October 1915, when he met legendary German ace Oswald Boelcke, a key figure in the development of fighter aviation tactics. Inspired by Boelcke, Richthofen began pilot training and joined Kampfgeschwader 2 (“No. 2 Fighter Squadron”) in March 1916, where he flew the Albatros C.III.

DVa2
Richthofen’s Albatros D.V after forced landing near Wervik. This machine is not an all-red one.

His early days as a pilot were rocky—his control inputs were clumsy, and his flying lacked finesse. But perseverance paid off. On September 17, 1916, Richthofen claimed his first aerial victory, downing 2nd Lt. Lionel Morris and observer Tom Rees over Cambrai, France. It was a significant milestone, setting the stage for what would become one of the most impressive combat records in aviation history. Richthofen would go on to become widely recognized as the “Red Baron”—a nickname inspired by both his aristocratic title of “Freiherr” (Baron) and the distinctive all-red paint scheme of his Fokker Dr.I triplane. The striking appearance of his aircraft, paired with his lethal reputation, made him a feared and legendary figure in the skies.

Manfred von Richthofen portrait
Picture postcard of Manfred von Richthofen 1892 bis 1918, Sanke postcard #533. Image via Wikipedia

His final victories on April 20, 1918, serve as a lasting testament to his unmatched skill and legacy in aerial warfare. Though his life was cut short at just 25 years old, the Red Baron’s name remains etched in aviation history as one of the greatest fighter pilots of all time.

Richthofen family grave at the Südfriedhof in Wiesbaden
Richthofen family grave at the Südfriedhof in Wiesbaden. Photo by Moreno Aguiari
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Commercial Pilot, CFI, and Museum Entrepreneur, with a subject focus on WWII Aviation. I am dedicated to building flight experience so I can fly WWII Fighters, such as the P-51 Mustang, for museums and airshows, and in the USAF Heritage Flight. I lead and run the Pennington Flight Memorial, to honor local MIA Tuskegee Airman F/O Leland “Sticky” Pennington.
8 Comments
  • I think my aunt, Lisa Schwab, may have taken up flying and bern influenced in part by the flying skills of the Red Barron. I never knew her, but I was told by relatives she though she could do anything a man could do, and do it better.

  • Red Baron was chasing my cousin, Wop May, when he got shot down

  • While this article is about the famed “Red Baron”, it should have included who was responsible for shooting him down ? Stands to reason, then, that whoever it was…was obviously, better than he was.

    • Not necessarily. The debate still rages on whether it was Captain Brown, or ground fire that brought The Baron down. Manfred broke his own rules that day, and it cost him his life. He chased what looked like easy prey (May) down low to get a kill. without altitude, he ran out of options when Captain Brown came to May’s defense. If the Baron had not given chase for the easy prey, he probably would have lived another day, but who knows for how long. The skies over Europe between 1914 and 1918 were not for the feint of heart…

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