• a man standing next to an old airplane in a field
    The classic view of Richthofen's Albatros D.V after his forced landing in Comines, taken at Point "a" in the aerial view. Severals signs of damage can be noted. Sagging leading edge tape is visible on the lower port wing, and the rear horizontal flying surfaces appear to be sitting directly on the ground. The starboard wheel appears pushed up towards the wing, and close examination of the original photo reveals a wire - perhaps one of the telephone wires Richthofen took out while landing - protruding from behind the spinner and extending back beyond the gear struts. An object, possibly a fence post, can be seen lying on the ground behind the soldier on the far left. This could have caused some of the damage the Albatros sustained upon landing. Note hedged building to the right of the spinner. At this aproximate location today a building foundation and hedge can still be seen. The Comines steeples (apparent here as a distant smudge) are visible beyond the trees, above the starboard aileron. (picture source: Inside the victories of Manfred von richthofen - Volume 1, James F. Miller, Aeronaut Books, 2016)
  • Richthofen's Albatros D.V after his forced landing in Comines. The airplane's starboard lean and closer-than-norma ground proximity of the empennage and lower starboard wing are apparent. Each is below the knees of nearby personnel - and almost as low as those of the dog. This view affords a good view of the fuselage cross and its 'subdued' white border, the reason for which eludes certainty. This photograph was taken at Point 'C' as depicted in the aerial view of Comines and the surrounding area, (picture source: Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 11 - Volume 1 - Bruno Schmäling - 2024 Aeronaut Books)
  • Richthofen's Albatros D.V after his forced landing in Comines. (picture source: Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 11 - Volume 1 - Bruno Schmäling - 2024 Aeronaut Books)
  • an old airplane is sitting in a field
    This undated photograph shows Richthofen's Albatros sometime after 6 July. The elevator, horizontal stabilizers, and wings have been removed, as was common with and likely in preparation for towed transport. The airplane attitude reveals the tailskid has been repaired, and a temporary braces has been fitted to the starboard landing gear struts and wing stub to which the struts appear lashed via straps and perhaps rope. Poor photo quality prevents discerning such details absolutely, and it is unknown if there was a similar arrangement to port. Final disposition of this airplane is unknown to the author. (Greg VanWyngarden) (picture source: Inside the victories of Manfred von richthofen - Volume 1, James F. Miller, Aeronaut Books, 2016)

MvR wounded

Event ID: 9

Categories: 

Air Combat
Deutsch
Jagd in Flanderns Himmel, Karl Bodenschatz, Verlag Knorr & Hirth München, 1935

06 July 1917

50.770168436308694, 3.0411227634729854
Wervicq

Source ID: 58

Jagd in Flanderns Himmel, Karl Bodenschatz, Verlag Knorr & Hirth München, 1935 p.  148 

Opponent was  Donald Cunnell

flying the F.E.2d A6412   

VS

MvR was flying the Albatros D.V 1177/17 

‘Losses: Rittmstr. Frhr. v. Richthofen wounded in the back of the head (graze shot) 11.30 a.m. near Wervicq during an attack on a Vickers squadron. Taken to field hospital 76 (St Nicolas) in Courtrai. Squadron command by proxy: Oblt. v. Doering, leader of Jasta 4, Oblt. v. Doering slightly injured; remains on duty. Almost cloudless.’

Comments (0)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back To Top