The lecture will examine Manfred von Richthofen’s memoir The Red Battle Flyer (1918) and attempt to establish the part played by Richthofen himself in creating and promoting the myth of the invincible, ruthless yet gentlemanly “Red Baron”. Richthofen’s presentation of his philosophy of aerial combat, his thoughts on the meaning of heroism and sacrifice, and his view of the role of air power on the Western Front will be outlined and discussed. Nicholas Martin will also briefly compare The Red Battle Flyer to other German "aerial" memoirs of WW1 and trace the "afterlife" of the Red Baron, both during the Nazi period and in contemporary popular culture.

Dr Nicholas Martin is Reader in European Intellectual History in the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Birmingham and Director of the University’s Institute for German Studies. He is Editor-in-chief of the academic journal Forum for Modern Language Studies. His research interests are in modern German intellectual history and in the cultural history of war and political violence in twentieth-century Germany

This lecture is free of charge however the organisers do ask that you pre-book a free ticket as seats are limited.

Bookings via:  https://royalairforcemuseum.digitickets.co.uk/event/1364390?catID=5400

Venue:  RAF Museum Hendon (lecture theatre), Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL, UK

Time:  12.30pm

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Contact:

Dr Ross Mahoney

Aviation Historian

RAF Museum

ross.mahoney@rafmuseum.org