Looking through the I my old copy of Avalon Hills "RICHTHOFEN'S WAR" I also found a list of Manfred von Richthofen kills, all 80 of them.
Attachment 255963Attachment 255964
Printable View
Looking through the I my old copy of Avalon Hills "RICHTHOFEN'S WAR" I also found a list of Manfred von Richthofen kills, all 80 of them.
Attachment 255963Attachment 255964
The majority of the victims seems to be inferior (in comparison to a scout) reconisance/bomber planes. Maybe it's a similar situation as it was with Erich Hartmann - he had the highest score, but mostly inferior planes. Others pilots like Gallant had more equivalent sparring partners.
You can only shoot what is in front of you & two seaters would be the prime targets for the obvious reasons, not forgetting MvR was shot down by one of these 'inferior' machines !
If you look at the WW1 aces I'm sure the tallies tell similar tales - McCudden for instance - 38/57 two seaters, Mannock 22/61 plus a few balloons, Ball 30/44 plus a balloon.
Destroying two-seaters was the way to win the 'ground war'. It reduced reconnaissance, artillery spotting and bombing.
Exactly. This was the whole reason for the "scouts". That and protecting your own.Quote:
Originally Posted by Naharaht
Karl
Of course, destroying the recon and bombing planes was obviously the primary task for the scouts. Nonetheless I had always the impression, that aces earned their reputation by killing other fighters (aces) by beating them through their extraordinary flying and shooting skills.
The most commonly practised method of shooting down an opponent was to sneak up behind them, shoot them up (when they had no idea the attacker was there) and escape.
Slower two-seaters are the easiest to catch and kill in this way (provided the observer is busy on his mission).
The "Knights of the Air" misconception is just that - a misconception.
Anyway, more than half of those 80 are fighters/scouts.................
Doubtless there was an element of that too but Tim's right - stalk, get in, kill, get out - was the usual tactic.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karo7
Albert Ball's preferred method was to get under the target and fire a burst through the cockpit floor - still extraordinary flying and shooting skills just not quite how you imagined them !
When it comes down to it, who wants a fair fight, but I also had the same impression as you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karo7
For a better understanding of The Red Baron and his career - try reading 'Under the Guns of the Red Baron' by Franks , Gibley & McCrery
Attachment 256043
One of my favorite books.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hedeby
These two companion books are also excellent reading.
Attachment 256332
Rob
Yup, I have all three and they are most enlightening!
Yep - have those three from your recommendations, Tim.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Helmut
Plus these:
Thanks for the recommendation. I just picked it up like new from Amazon for $5.99 including shipping.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hedeby