WW I German Aces Voss & von Richthofen "The Red Baron" - 8 x 10 Enlarged Photo

Description

Offered for Sale, an Enlarged 8" x 10" Photo Reproduction, of Leutnant Werner Voss with his mentor, Rittmeister Manfred
Freiherr
von Richthofen "The Red Baron".
This gorgeous reproduction would be a great addition to any WW I Photo Collection!!!
The beautifully enlarged photo, features two of Germany's top aces in World War I: Leutnant Werner Voss (left), and "Red Baron" Manfred
Freiherr
von Richthofen (right), standing together at the engine cowl of Voss's Albatros D.IIIa (note the cowl and engine cover in factory metal finish, and the fuselage in factory natural plywood finish).
This photo has been painstakingly reproduced from an original postcard-sized snapshot, and printed on quality 8-1/2" x 11" glossy photo paper. The high quality antique toned image measures 10" tall x slightly-less-than-8" wide, and is suitable for framing.
The photo you receive will not have the overprinted "Wizard's Hold" logo shown in the Listing photo above.
Leutnant Werner Voss
Voss
(in German,
Voß)
, a dyer's son from Krefeld, was a patriotic young man even while still in school. He began his military career in November 1914 as a 17 year old Hussar (heavy cavalry). Turning to aviation, he proved to be a natural pilot. After flight school and six months in a bomber unit, he joined a newly formed fighter squadron, Jasta 2 in November 1916. While there, he was noticed by, and became friends with, Manfred von Richthofen.
By April 1917, Voss had scored 24 victories and was awarded Germany's highest award, the
Pour le Mérite (Blue Max)
. The medal's mandatory month leave, removed Voss from the aerial battlefield during Bloody April. In his absence, Richthofen added 13 more to his own tally of victories. Nevertheless, Richthofen regarded Voss as his only possible rival for top scoring ace of the war. After transferring through three temporary squadron commands in two months, Voss was finally given command of his own squadron, Jasta 10
(one of the famous "Flying Circus" squadrons)
at von Richthofen's request. At that time, Voss's victory total stood at 34.
His last stand came on September 23, 1917, just hours after his 48th victory. He was hunting solo, in one of the prototype Fokker Triplanes - F.I103/17 - when he found himself engaged in a dogfight against eight British aces. In the fight, he damaged a number of the British SE 5a(s), and forced some of them to withdraw from the battle.
Ultimately however, there were just too many of them. By all reports, Voss had many opportunities to withdraw and escape the battle. He stayed however - and fought to the end. His "magnificent courage" was described by one of his foes, British Ace James McCudden, calling him "the bravest German airman".
Rittmeister Manfred
Freiherr
von Richthofen
Manfred
Freiherr
von Richthofen is considered the "ace-of-aces" of World War I, being officially credited with 80 aerial victories. Beginning his military career as an Uhlan (light-cavalry lancer), Richthofen transferred to the Air Service in 1915, becoming one of the first members of Oswald Boelcke's Squadron, Jagdstaffel 2 in 1916. He quickly distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, and in 1917 became commander of his own squadron, Jasta 11. He was later promoted to command the very first Fighter Wing, Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1), better known as "The Flying Circus". By 1918 he was regarded as a national hero in Germany, and was respected and admired even by his enemies.
Richthofen was shot down and killed near Amiens on 21 April 1918. There has been considerable discussion and debate regarding aspects of his career, but especially the circumstances of his death. He remains perhaps the most widely known fighter pilot of all time, and has been the subject of many books, films and other media.
If you have any questions, or need more information, please ask before making the purchase.