Who Killed the Red Baron?

1. Who Killed the Red Baron? Aim: To solve a World War One Mystery using the available evidence

2. ‘The Red Baron’ Baron Manfred Von Richthofen was a German fighter pilot in World War One. But he was far more – he was the most feared fighter pilot of World War One with eighty confirmed kills. He was called the Red Baron because he was a Baron- from a rich German family and because he flew a very distinctive, bright red triplane. As the war raged on, the seemingly invincible baron became a target for allied pilots everywhere- whoever killed him would get instant fame. A rivalry began between the air force and the army to see who would be the one to shoot down the Red Baron.

3. Who killed the Red Baron? • On the 21st April 1918 over the Somme Battlefield, France, a vicious aerial dogfight began – many planes locked in combat. • Lt Banks, a gunner in a British plane claims to have fired at the Baron during the dogfight. • More planes under the command of Captain Roy Brown joined the fight. • A young British pilot, Lieutenant May found himself isolated, alone and even worse he was being targeted by the greatest pilot of world war one – the Red Baron. • Lt May flew as low as possible, ‘hedgehopping’ in an attempt to shake the Baron.

4. 5. At this stage, as May desperately dodged away from the Baron, Captain Brown- May’s commander saw what was happening and attempted to save May 6. He flew across the flight path of the Baron and fired his guns at the Baron. 7. May flew across the allied trenches still followed closely by the Baron. 8. At this point, a machine gunner on the ground, Sergeant Cedric Popkin, an Australian, fired approximately 150 rounds at the Baron.

5. 9. Popkin continued firing as the two planes crossed overhead. 10. Several other soldiers on the ground, seeing an opportunity to kill the famous Red Baron took potshots at him. 11. At this stage the Red Baron peeled away, began flying erratically and then crashed into the ground behind the allied lines. 12. His body was recovered from his plane and the cause of death was a single bullet wound (shown in the picture).

6. Three people claimed responsibility for killing the famous Red Baron: Sergeant Cedric Popkin, a machine gunner- the third man to shoot at the Baron Captain Roy Brown, a pilot- the second man to shoot at the Baron Lieutenant Banks, a pilot- the first man to shoot at the Baron