Manfred von Richthofen last fight

Piotr · 13 September 2018, 01:24 AM

Hi all,
I have a (maybe stupid question) but im digging in WW1 parachutes now.
The question is:
What's happened with MvR Heinecke parachute after his shot down and death?
It is known that he used that parachute and must have it in last fight...
BR
Piotr

Gman · 13 September 2018, 03:10 AM

There is one author who claims (give me a day to find his name) that both the chute and his Luger pistol were taken by one of the first soldiers arriving at the scene.

Lost to history- or I personally believe he had neither one with him...see the thread of what happened to the pistol.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Leytedragon · 13 September 2018, 06:03 AM

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=49331

There are numerous things that he supposedly had on that flight, but too many discrepancies of testimony for me to be certain. And like many of those items, the parachute has either been misplaced/destroyed, is now in someone’s collection, or he didn’t have it. Such early versions of parachutes weren’t always reliable but certainly better than the alternative!

Piotr · 13 September 2018, 07:16 AM

Thank you Gman and Leytedragon, for your help!

I don't find any info about MvR chute.

Report from February 1918, mailed by A-H Hptm. Fekete who was send to Germany, to check and acquainted with German parachutes systems, say that:

Rittmeister Freiherr v. Richthofen fliegt stets mit einem Fallschirm hier (in Austria-Hungary - Piotr note) unbekanten Systems (U.O. Heinecke)

It seams that MvR in last fight should have chute - Of course could don't take it, pilots don't thrust that "piece of canvas" but better to take something could save your life, that nothing...

The German and Austro-Hungarian parachutes it is story longest that I could print now...

BR
Piotr

Piotr · 13 September 2018, 10:56 AM

Interesting is also side gun theme.
We should remember that MvR was CO Jasta 11 & JG/1 so he must communicate and give orders in air. So he should have flare pistol... And maybe this was taken as a souvenir...
BR
Piotr

Piotr · 13 September 2018, 11:20 AM

Parachute - For me it was inpossible to take it from Fokker Dr. I cabine, when dead pilot was sitting on it. Even by side cutted window...
BR
Piotr

Leytedragon · 13 September 2018, 05:42 PM

Hi Piotr

Even though he detailed the use of flares in his tactics manual, I can’t recall coming across any report or letter written by MvR where he says he ever used them. While some flight leaders used flares to signal for attack, I think it would be counter to Richthofen’s methods of cover and surprise. Regrouping he usually accomplished by circling above a certain area. None of which discounts the suggestion that he had one along that was snatched.

J.D.

tcrean7828 · 13 September 2018, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr

Thank you Gman and Leytedragon, for your help!

I don't find any info about MvR chute.

Report from February 1918, mailed by A-H Hptm. Fekete who was send to Germany, to check and acquainted with German parachutes systems, say that:

Rittmeister Freiherr v. Richthofen fliegt stets mit einem Fallschirm hier (in Austria-Hungary - Piotr note) unbekanten Systems (U.O. Heinecke)

It seams that MvR in last fight should have chute - Of course could don't take it, pilots don't thrust that "piece of canvas" but better to take something could save your life, that nothing...

The German and Austro-Hungarian parachutes it is story longest that I could print now...

BR
Piotr

Mates,
Translated: Captain Freiherr v. Richthofen always flies with a parachute here (in Austria-Hungary - Piotr note) unknown system (U. Heinecke)

tcrean7828

tom

Piotr · 14 September 2018, 02:08 AM

Hi Leytedragon and tcrean7828 (Tom)
Thanks all for replay

Full translation about U. O. Heinecke should be (The report is with shorts...) in German:
(Vom deutschen Luftschiffbau-Ingenieur, Unteroffizier Otto Heinecke)

English:
(From German Airship-Engineer, NCO Otto Heinecke)

Flares - For example. In all Mr. HG aircraft (Future CO JG/1), flares are mounted and are seen at photos... But I think we don't have good photos showing last MvR machine. Available pictures show that flare cartridges are not installed at side of his Fokker Dr.I

BR
Piotr

Epee · 14 September 2018, 07:48 AM

I am rather skeptical of the idea that MvR even had a P08 Luger. Uhlans, at least when the Luger began being issued, were exceptions to the general order. I expect they were expected to have less use for a sidearm than non-lancer cavalry, and they continued the using the Reichsrevolver. As far as issue later in the war, I don't know. But, by the time MvR was making a name for himself, he would have precious little use for a large handgun in the cockpit and Lugers were in high demand in the trenches.