The Red Baron stands with his brother Lothar in from of a Fokker DR1 Triplane. Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (May 2, 1892 - April 21, 1918) was a First World War German flying ace with the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkrafte). Originally a cavalryman, he transferred to the Air Service in 1915, becoming one of the first members of Jasta 2 in 1916. He quickly distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, and during 1917 became leader of Jasta 11 and then the larger unit Jagdgeschwader 1 (Flying Circus). By 1918, he was regarded as a national hero in Germany, and was very well known by the other side. He was a notable tactician and squadron leader and a fine marksman. Typically, he would dive from above to attack with the advantage of the sun behind him, with other Jasta pilots covering his rear and flanks. It was his Albatros D.III that was first painted bright red, in late January 1917, and in which he first earned his name and reputation. Richthofen was shot down and killed near Amiens on April 21, 1918. There has been considerable discussion and debate regarding aspects of his career, especially the circumstances of his death. He is considered the top ace of that war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories. He remains perhaps the most widely known fighter pilot of all time, and has been the subject of many books, films and other media. Lothar-Siegfried Freiherr von Richthofen (September 27, 1894 - July 4, 1922) was a German First World War fighter ace credited with 40 victories. He was a younger brother of top-scoring ace Manfred von Richthofen. Considering the amount of time Lothar spent on the front and in hospitals, he was one of the most combat efficient and prolific flying aces of the war. Of his total of 40 confirmed victories, Lothar scored 33 in just three months: 15 in April 1917, 8 in May 1917, and 10 in August 1918. After the war he became a became a commercial pilot, carrying passengers and mail between Berlin and H