The Briefing Room
General Category => Science, Technology and Knowledge => History => Topic started by: TomSea on April 26, 2017, 10:03:02 am
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The Red Baron and the Lancashire connection
By Tom Mullen BBC News Online
26 April 2017
This month marks 100 years since Bloody April, when the Red Baron ruled the skies in one of World War One's most notorious battles. Among 207 British airmen to perish was a man whose final hours remain veiled in mystery.
2nd Lt Andrew Ormerod was shot down by the German flying ace's squadron during a reconnaissance mission in April 1917.
Five other aircraft were brought down within minutes in a blaze of gunfire as the Red Baron - Manfred von Richthofen - continued the formidable resistance which saw him officially credited with 80 combat victories.
British fliers called the period "Bloody April" because of the devastating death rate.
Burnley-born 2nd Lt Ormerod's death is one of two intriguing connections between von Richthofen and the Lancashire town.
After von Richthofen was shot down and killed over the Somme, his military funeral was conducted by the vicar of Burnley's St Matthew's Church.
(https://ichef-1.bbci.co.uk/news/624/cpsprodpb/17AA2/production/_95703969_1024-gettyimages-3253665.jpg)
Manfred von Richthofen, pictured, earned his nickname after painting his aircraft red
Continued: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-39644895
@EC
Interesting story.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtJ1Gnh9wPU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtJ1Gnh9wPU)