MANFRED VON RICHTOFEN
Manfred von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918), also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkräfte) during the First World War. He is considered the top ace of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories. By 1918, he was regarded as a national hero in Germany, and widely respected even by his enemies. Richthofen was shot down and killed near Amiens on 21 April 1918. He remains perhaps the most widely known fighter pilot of all time, and has been the subject of many books, films and other media. (More from Wikipedia)
The Royal Guardsmen had a million seller in 1966 with “Snoopy vs. the Red Baron”; I guess I have been reminded of it since the local paper has been running some of the “Classic” Peanuts comic strips featuring Snoopy riding his Sopwith Camel into combat, always with the battle cry: “Curse You, Red Baron!”
The Red Baron was a real person – Manfred von Richtofen, who is credited with 80 air victories during the First World War – and his name is referenced in the song (though never in the comic strip as far as I know).
(March 2013)
