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English bounty for a German pilot

Event ID: 361

Categories: 

Die Erinnerungen der Mutter des roten Kampffliegers Kunigunde Freifrau von Richthofen. Im Verlag Ullstein - Berlin, 1937.

04 May 1917

50.329872275934086, 3.144518810662833
Roucourt

Source ID: 10

Die Erinnerungen der Mutter des roten Kampffliegers Kunigunde Freifrau von Richthofen. Im Verlag Ullstein - Berlin, 1937. p.  106 

“WTB (Wollfs Telegraphisches Bureau). Berlin, 4 May. “The British have assembled an aeroplane squadron of volunteer pilots whose sole aim is to destroy the most successful German fighter pilot, Rittmeister Freiherr v. Richthofen, who has already shot down 52 enemy planes. The aviator who succeeds in shooting down or capturing Richthofen receives the Victoria Cross, promotion, his own aeroplane as a gift, 5000 pounds sterling and a special prize from the aircraft factory whose aeroplane the aviator was using. A cinema operator from the British squadron is to fly along to record the whole event cinematographically for later evaluation in the British army film.” Newspaper comment: “We recommend that a few armchair balloons with grandstand seats be raised for this venture. The Richthofen fighter squadron will ensure that the performance is interesting.” If this report proves to be true, the cry of an entire world, whose sons are bleeding for the reputation of their nation in the trenches of the world war, should respond. There is a great silence. Then someone answers: Manfred! The day after the call, he shoots down four opponents.”

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