K-288
CAPTAIN BARON VON RICHTHOFEN
(Der rote Kampfflieger)
1918, Cast bronze, Portrait medallion, 92.3mm, 234.50g., Rim-punched, "K•GoeTz".
Obverse: Rittmeister • Manfred • Frhr • V • Richthofen; (Cavalry Captain Baron von Richthofen), Bust 3/4 left, in military uniform with overcoat and wearing the "Blue Max" medal.
Reverse: Memorial stone with Iron Cross and dated 12.April 1918. Above, an arrow with the number of "kills" he was credited with. In foreground, Richthofen's coat of arms and helmet with wings. The German eagle stands to the left calling to the sky, "Der rote Kampf- flieger" (the red fighter pilot). K•GOETZ at base of monument.
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This piece is also known in the following composition and size:
91mm Cast Lead*
93.mm Cast Bronze, vergoldet
36mm Struck bronze
36mm Struck silver, Rim-stamp, BAYER.HAUPTMÜNZAMT.FEINSILBER (See immediately below)
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K-288
1918, Struck Silver, Commemorative medal, 36mm, 19.60g., Rim-stamp, BAYER.HAUPTMÜNZAMT.FEINSILBER.
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Goetz had both the date of death and number of kills wrong on this first medal. Richthofen was actually responsible for downing 80 airplanes and he met his demise on April 21, 1918.
Sometime between 1928 and 1933 Goetz corrected both errors and reissued the corrected variety K-288a as recorded below.
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KNOWN VARIETY
K-288a
1918, Struck Silver, Commemorative medal, 36mm, 19.40g., Rim-stamp, BAYER.HAUPTMÜNZAMT.FEINSILBER.
Obverse: Same as K-288
Reverse: Same as K-288 except date on monument has been corrected to 21 April, 1918 and the number of "kills" located above in the sky with arrow has been corrected to 80.
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This piece is also known in the following composition and size:
93mm Cast bronze
36mm Struck bronze
36mm Struck silver, Rim-stamp, B.HAUPTMÜNZAMT.FEINSILBER
36mm Struck silver, Rim-stamp, BAYER.HAUPTMÜNZAMT.FEINSILBER
36mm Struck gold, Rim-stamp, BAYER.HAUPTMÜNZAMT o 985f
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Killed at 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 most noble on the German side. He had the reputation for never killing an enemy after he had him "cold". After forcing an opponent down, he would often land beside him, help him from his machine, and see that he was honorably treated. Richthofen was buried by the British with full military honors.
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