Manfred von Richthofen began the First World War on horseback, as a Prussian cavalry officer. Bored by the trenches, he asked for a transfer to the air service in 1915, and shot down his first plane in September 1916.

After each victory he ordered a small silver cup from a Berlin jeweller, engraved with the date and the type of aircraft. At 60 cups the jeweller had to stop: blockaded Germany had no silver left. Richthofen kept going.

He painted his plane bright red so everyone would know who was coming. His squadron copied him with their own colours and travelled by train from front to front, which earned it the name "the Flying Circus".

He reached 80 victories, more than any other pilot of the war. On 21 April 1918 a single bullet killed him over the Somme. He was 25.

His enemies buried him with full military honours. One wreath read: "To our gallant and worthy foe."



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