Portrait medal of the famous WWI fighter pilot killed on the Somme battlefield on April 21, 1918. Richthofen was probably the finest airman the world had ever seen. He was not only a good fighter but also the noblest on the German side. He had the reputation of never killing an enemy after he had him “cold” in his sights. After forcing an opponent down he often landed beside him, helped him from his machine, and saw that he was honorably treated. Richthofen was buried by the British with full military honors.
This is another of Goetz’ ‘problem’ medals with erroneous date of death and number of victories quoted. In 1928 this medal was advertised showing 89 victories for Richthofen and his day of death as April 12, 1918. Later that same year the number of victories was changed to 80 and the date of death corrected to April 21, 1918. Obviously, the error variety is much harder to come by.
Obverse: Richthofen bust slightly left in flight uniform.
Reverse: In the foreground, winged helmet with Richthofen’s coat of arms. Above, “89” with arrow to signify victories. Date of death on memorial stone. The German eagle stands to the left calling to the sky, “Der rote Kampf” (To the red fighter pilot) indicating the color of his Fokker plane.
Goetz may have worked directly from this image...
