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One Hundred Years Ago

Started by Rix Gins, January 01, 2016, 08:20:14 PM

Rix Gins

From the Library of Congress, April 17, 1918.


The Tonopah Daily Bonanza.

TWO EARLY MORNING HOLDUPS AT GOLDFIELD - TRIO OF MEN HOLD UP TWO GOLDFlELD RED-LIGHT SALOONS THIS
MORNING

  At 2 a. m. today three men, it is thought, held up two resorts in the red-light district at Goldfield. The first holdup occurred at the Mozart saloon about 2 o'clock, when two men entered the place and demanded "hands up." One of the robbers took $35 from the cash register and $20 was taken from the patrons who were in the place at the time. An alarm was sounded and Deputy Sheriff Benton appeared on the scene which resulted in a fusillade of shots being fired. It is estimated that fifteen shots were exchanged by the holdup men and the officer. One arrest was made immediately after the robbery had taken place, and later on a second man was placed behind the bars.

  After the excitement had subsided a second hold up occurred at the Star saloon a short distance from the Mozart. This was at 4:30 a.m. No money or valuables were secured on account of the robber becoming alarmed and leaving. Chief of Police Morrison and Deputy Sheriff Bogard arrested James Carr, and a short time later took into custody Owen Hickey. These men arrived in Goldfield last Monday from Arizona in a Ford touring car, and had been under surveillance since their arrival in the camp.

  The $35 taken from the cash register at the Mozart was mostly in small coin, and the $20 taken from the patrons was in large denominations. When arrested the two men had this money on them, and there is no doubt but that the authorities have the right parties. It is thought that the third member of the gang will soon be apprehended and placed behind the bars.


The Seattle Star 


Rix Gins

Actor William Holden was born on April 17, 1918. 

Biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Holden
QuoteHe co-starred as Humphrey Bogart's younger brother, a carefree playboy, in Sabrina (1954), played by Audrey Hepburn. It was Holden's third film with director Billy Wilder. Holden and Hepburn became romantically involved during the filming, unbeknown to Wilder: "People on the set told me later that Bill and Audrey were having an affair, and everybody knew. Well, not everybody! I didn't know."


With Inglorious Bitch in Sabrina (1954)
By Studio publicity still - Dr. Macro, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14855881


GravitySucks

Quote from: Rix Gins on April 17, 2018, 02:57:33 AM
Actor William Holden was born on April 17, 1918. 

Biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Holden

With Inglorious Bitch in Sabrina (1954)
By Studio publicity still - Dr. Macro, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14855881

Nice editorial license :-)

Rix Gins

Quote from: GravitySucks on April 17, 2018, 02:58:45 AM
Nice editorial license :-)

Haha  Congrats on being the first to notice.

albrecht

Quote from: Rix Gins on April 17, 2018, 02:57:33 AM
Actor William Holden was born on April 17, 1918. 

Biography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Holden

With Inglorious Bitch in Sabrina (1954)
By Studio publicity still - Dr. Macro, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14855881
Ha, that's funny. I hope she sees this.
ps: the hold-ups are hilarious. Just like an old Western tv show. So stereotypical!

Rix Gins



Alois Aschl

Economist's son from Untergrund, Bavaria Germany

Soldier with the 3rd Bavarian Infantry Regiment, Company 11.

Holder of the Iron Cross.

Badly wounded on the Western Front and died on April 15, 1918.

Rix Gins

From the Imperial War Museum, April 18, 1918.


QuoteAmerican transport ship USS George Washington arriving in France with American troops. Brest, 18 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205307504 © IWM (Q 58259)


QuoteDazzle-camouflaged American transport ship USS AGAMEMNON (ex-SS Kaiser Wilhelm II), probably arriving in France with American troops. Brest, 18 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205091361 © IWM (Q 58240)


QuoteTroops of the American 4th Infantry Division disembarking at Brest, 18 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205187965 © IWM (Q 85386)


QuoteLieutenant Allan F. Winslow of the American 94th Aero Squadron, who brought down German planes on 14 April 1918, in front of his Nieuport aircraft.
Additional info on Winslow: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/afwinslow.htm
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205192948 © IWM (Q 65854)


R.I.P.

Quote
Private Edward John Nightingale 517055. Unit: 101st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. Death: 18 April 1918 Died of wounds Western Front. Son of John and Kate Nightingale, of 25, Darnley Rd., Mare St., Hackney, London.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205386464 © IWM (HU 118403)

Rix Gins

From the Library of Congress, April 18, 1918.


The Tonopah Daily Bonanza.

LETTER FROM SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE


  Remarkable for its many interesting observations from one stationed with the expeditionary forces "somewhere in France," is a letter that has been received by C. D. Asher, assistant observer of the weather bureau and stationed in this district. The letter is from his brother, Newman Asher, who was in the civil service commission office at Washington, O. C, and who enlisted there and went with General Pershing, commander-in-chief of the American forces in France. The letter follows.

  Monday, March 10, 1918. Dear Dab: Yesterday I got your letter of February 9. I am glad to hear from you for I didn't know where to address you. 1 guess yon know by now what "doughboys" are. The boys here that I am quartered with are not exactly "doughboys." It is the 147th machine gun battalion. They are doing (at this point in the letter the censor has clipped out a few words) here now. Some of them are drafted men who haven't had much previous training. The chief arguments they have are. Which is better, Idaho, California or Washington, of course, I say Texas is the best.

  My work here consists of seeing that the medical property passing through is properly stored, loaded and shipped to the proper destination. Sometimes I must lug boxes, or boss workmen which may be either French, German, Moroccan, Belgian or Chinese natives. I also make daily and weekly reports of my work. I had hard work when I first came here, had to work some nights but now it is the easiest I have had in France. I will not attempt to go into further details. We are quartered in a stone building which used to be a boarding school for boys. Schools here for boys are separate and for girls are separate. Children are sent to boarding schools to live. Just across the street is a church. On the other side is a "Place" what we call a square or circle. The car line passes here. There are French soldiers quartered here also and the whole thing, like all buildings here, is surrounded by a high stone wall. As to the dress and customs here, like Roosevelt, I refer you to my previous messages. A noticeable thing here is people walking in the middle of the street. Many streets are narrow and the sidewalks are so narrow that two can hardly walk abreast. Push carts, some of which have a dog and a woman hitched to them, are common. The dogs are enthusiastic pullers and are always impatient to be going.

  Next year's class of soldiers are being examined now and make quite a noise on the streets evenings celebrating. Some women dress in local costumes which are quite peculiar. Yesterday clocks were advanced an hour, according to the daylight saving plan for the summer. As to my habits: I get up in time to eat breakfast at 7 a. m. We are called fifteen minutes beforehand. We sleep on bunks made of boards elevated about a foot from the floor, a bunk for each one and on the bunk is a straw mattress. I have a round straw pillow also. We have a small stove which is just large enough to heat a pail of water. We have tables on which to eat and benches. We line up and get our meals dished put to us in our "tins" and nearly always get "seconds" if we wish. After breakfast I go to (blank) the place of work to see what has turned up. If I have nothing to do I go back, clean and fix clothes, shave, write and so forth. I go at least once a day to the army transport office, where I get my mail. After supper, or sometimes before, at 6 p. m. I go out on the streets or any place I wish to go. There are some good theaters and movies which have American pictures but for the last two weeks I have been going every night to my girl's house. She told me to tell my folks that "Vous aves entree dans une famille Francaise." (You have entered into a French family.) When a person goes to see a decent French girl he must visit the whole family. I am teaching them English and they are teaching me French. They have a little electric supply store here and they seem to be quite taken with me, but no more than I am with them. She "Anne Marie, wants me to have pictures of my home folks sent me or postcards of America so I would be glad if you would send some.

  We went walking yesterday. Plum trees are blooming, the grass is green and it is warm like spring. Hope to stay here till the war is over, but a soldier can never tell what will happen to him. If I should ever be sent to the trenches I would try to transfer to the aviation corps. The folks I visit think this war will last two or three years more. One of their boys is in the trenches. He has been wounded and has a "Croix de Guerre" (war cross). Prices here are a little higher for most things than in America but the French will not starve for they eat everything and live on almost nothing. They eat collards, dandelions, barnacles, shrimps, snails and horse meat. One diversion we have is to buy snails or some other curiosity and bring it into camp to eat. As a "Limey" said, "These French are queer chaps."

  My payroll got all balled up but I think they will get it straight soon. I had made an allotment to mamma which had been overlooked. My lieutenant, Feder, said he is working for my promotion but I have not seen any signs of his work yet. I understand that most of this unit has been promoted but I am alone here.

  This is a long letter but I can't write such often, so send this to mamma when you have read it. May it carry a message of love to all the home folks, including you and family. Write often, papers or anything you can send will be welcome. Your brother, Newman E. Asher. (O. K. C. H. Wieder, 2nd I,T. II. S. N. O.)

  Mr. Asher sent his brother a bundle of Bonanzas yesterday.


The Seattle Star.


Rix Gins



Georg Gruber

Professional soldier's son from Pitzling, Bavaria, Germany.

Army Infantryman with 7th Company, 6th Bavarian Infantry Regiment.

While on the most front line was shot in the chest and killed on April 17, 1918.

He was 19 years old.

Rix Gins

R.I.P. (From the Imperial War Museum, April 19, 1918.)


QuoteLieutenant Thomas Andrew Cropper. Unit: D Battery, 75th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Death: 19 April 1918 Western Front. Son of Anne Ellen and the late Capt. John Cropper (R.A.M.C.), M.D., J.P., of Mount Ballan, Chepstow, Mon.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205292940 © IWM (HU 121565)

Rix Gins



Paul Hufnagl

House owner's son from Prenzing, Lower Bavaria, Germany.

Army Soldier with the 1st Bicycle Company, First Bavarian Hunter Battalion.

Killed by an infantry round on April 19, 1918.

He was 22 years old.

Rix Gins

From the Imperial War Museum, April 20, 1918.


QuoteTwo Handley Page O/400 heavy bombers on the RNAS Aerodrome, near Dunkirk, 20 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205193149 © IWM (Q 12033)


QuoteSide view of an Handley Page O/400 twin engined bomber, showing position of the front observer and the pilot, and the two swivel Lewis gun mountings in the cockpit for the rear gunner. Former RNAS aerodrome, near Dunkirk, 20 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205247579 © IWM (Q 12038)


R.I.P.


QuotePrivate George Sydney Mabardi 557B. Unit: 1st Company, 5th Battalion, Australian Machine Gun Corps. Death: 20 April 1918 Western Front. Son of Abdo and Mary Mabardi, of Grey St., nr. Russell St., South Brisbane, Queensland. Born Malta.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205384875  © IWM (HU 117303)


QuoteSecond Lieutenant Richard Raymond-Barker MC. Unit: Northumberland Fusiliers, attached to No. 3 Squadron, Royal Air Force. Death: 20 April 1918 Western Front. Son of Edward and Rose Raymond-Barker, of Paulmead, Bisley, Gloucs.  (Shot down by Manfred Von Richthofen, The Red Baron.)
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205039619 © IWM (Q 72832)

Rix Gins

From the Library of Congress.  The Tonopah Daily Bonanza, April 20, 1918.


FISTIC ENCOUNTER AT THE HOSPITAL - MISS BRYAN, THE MATRON, LOSES HER TEMPER AND SLAPS NURSE

  Yesterday noon a lively fistic encounter occurred at the County hospital. This was a bout wherein only the feminine of the species took part, the patients in the hospital acting as referees and corner attendants. The set-to was staged between Miss S. M. Bryan, the matron, and Miss Mabel Redmile, a nurse. Considerable friction has been in evidence at the county sanitarium for some time, and much dissatisfaction has been created by Miss Bryan's supervision as matron over that institution. It is claimed that Miss Bryan, in an angry mood and without cause or provocation, did slap and cause much humiliation to Miss Redmile, the nurse, all of which is said to have been contrary to the statutes of this commonwealth. 

  R. B. Davis, chairman of the board of county commissioners, upon consultation with W. J. Douglass, commissioner, then and there decided to suspend Miss Bryan from supervision of the hospital pending an investigation by the county commissioners, which board will be in session on May 5.


Rix Gins

The Red Baron shot down two more British opponents on April 20, 1918.  One right after another, too.

The first Sopwith Camel pilot to fall was twenty four year old Richard, Raymond-Barker.  Richard was attacking a Fokker Triplane and wasn't aware the Richthofen had crept up behind him.  A quick burst of the Red Baron's guns sent the Camel pilot down in flames.

"I put myself behind the adversary and brought him down, burning, with only a few shots."  Richthofen wrote.  "The enemy plane crashed down near the forest of Hamel where it burned further on the ground."

Raymond-Barker did not survive the crash, in fact his remains were never found.  He had kind of an interesting job before the war.  He helped lay submarine cable from Sydney to Auckland aboard a telegraph steamer.  (Note, that's his picture posted above.)

The Red Baron found his second victim within minutes of downing his first.  Again, the Baron's bullets caused a Camel, piloted by David Greswolde Lewis, to fall in flames.  Lewis crashed to the earth and was able to crawl out of his burning wreckage.  He stood up and walked away from his crashed aircraft only to spot the burning wreckage of Raymond-Barker's plane, not all that far away.  Right about then, he looked up and saw the Red Baron zip by, waving a hand.  Experts have theorized that the Red Baron mistook the British pilot for a German soldier, who would have served as an eyewitness to back up the claim that it was indeed Richthofen who had shot down the second Camel.

David Lewis was captured right away and spent the rest of the war as a POW.  He would gain some degree of fame as being the last man that was shot down by Manfred Von Richthofen.  He would live a further sixty years after having had his brief encounter with the Red Baron.


Portrait of the Red Baron by Nicola Perscheid.  By Nicola Perscheid - sanke-cards.com, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=430827

           

Rix Gins



From the Imperial War Museum, April 21, 1918.


QuoteFrench colonial troops moving up to the line. Near Domart, 21 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246587 © IWM (Q 10950)


QuoteA French Schneider 105mm mle 1913 (L 13 S) heavy field gun next to a camouflaged British 60 pounder battery in the open. Near Amiens, 21 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205247176 © IWM (Q 11596)


R.I.P.


QuotePrivate Victor de Vipont Waithman 203090. Unit: 9th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Death: 21 April 1918, died of wounds, Macedonia. Buried at the Sarigol Cemetery. Son of Joseph Waithman. Brother of Helen Maud Waithman, of "Hurst View," Chudleigh, Devon.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205390209 © IWM (HU 126921)

Rix Gins

There was an earthquake on April 21, 1918.  It struck the San Jacinto, California area, damagine lots of buildings, injuring several people and killing one person.  It had a magnitude of 6.7.

Info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918_San_Jacinto_earthquake


Post office after the San Jacinto earthquake.
By Arizona republican - LOC, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60794289

grano salis

Quote from: Rix Gins on April 21, 2018, 01:26:49 AM

From the Imperial War Museum, April 21, 1918.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246587 © IWM (Q 10950)

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205247176 © IWM (Q 11596)


R.I.P.[/b


Seems to me the German aviators and British soldiers had better uniforms than the German foot soldiers, but the deceased German privates pictured above were Bavarians who were always proud of NOT being Prussians.  On another note--beautiful Audrey Hepburn (Inglorious B) was very taken with Bill Holden, but Bill Holden loved EVERYBODY indiscriminately. (nobody was good enough for Audrey--IMO)

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205390209 © IWM (HU 126921)

Rix Gins

QuoteBill Holden, but Bill Holden loved EVERYBODY indiscriminately.

I liked Holden's roll in The Towering Inferno, but dammit, he allowed for cheap materials to be used and thus the fire started.  I would have had him die at the end of the picture.

grano salis

Quote from: Rix Gins on April 21, 2018, 03:26:13 AM
I liked Holden's roll in The Towering Inferno, but dammit, he allowed for cheap materials to be used and thus the fire started.  I would have had him die at the end of the picture.


LOL if you wanted him to die at the end of a picture you would have appreciated "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing"  Lovely cinematography of 1950s Hong Kong--btw.

Rix Gins

Well, it had to happen sooner or later and in this case, later.  After achieving eighty aireal victories, Manfred Von Richthofen, the Red Baron, was killed on April 21, 1918.  Historians have done a pretty good job of piecing together what happened on that morning, but it all comes up lacking as to who actually killed the Red Baron.  Here is a simplified list of events that led to the German pilot's death.

1. A fairly large group of British Sopwith Camels took off, headed for the front lines where they hoped to take photographs and direct artillery fire.

2. The German pilots were hampered by some early morning fog but after it dissipated, they too took the sky after receiving reports of incoming Sopwith Camels.

3.  The two sides came together somewhere over the front lines.

4. Richthofen spotted a Sopwith Camel lingering outside the main body of enemy planes and he made a beeline for it.

5.  The Sopwith pilot was newcomer Wilfred May and he had been instructed to observe and not take part if a dogfight happened to occur.  He noticed the red Triplane approaching him and he made a fast exit, heading back to his airfield.

6. Richthofen decided to pursue the fleeing Camel and followed it, even though it removed him from his group of fighters.

7. Experienced Camel pilot Roy Brown saw what was transpiring and he decided to help out his fellow pilot.

8. May tried his best to shake his pursuer off by dipping way low, almost treetop in what was actually a very beautiful stretch of undamaged valley that the Somme River ran through.

9. Brown got close enough to take some shots at Richthofen.

10. A group of Australian gunners got a bead on the Red Baron's plane and they fired at it from below.

11. Richthofen's plane was disabled and it went down in what looked like a controlled landing over a beet field.  At the last second though, it crashed hard into the field.

12. A number of Australian soldiers converged on the wreckage and once they determined that it was the Red Baron's, they quickly stripped the plane of all it's fabric for use as souvenirs.

13. Richthofen's body was later examined and it was determined that a single bullet had been shot through his chest.  They couldn't tell if the bullet came from above or below.

So there it is.  My own theory goes like this.  It was well known that Manfred carried a pistol and some gold pieces for use as escape mechanisms in case he was ever shot down.  Brown succeeded in disabling the Baron's Triplane but it was still controllable and Richthofen made for the beet field where he would land his plane and make his escape.  In his haste, he grabbed his pistol and accidently discharged it just as he was approaching the ground.  The shot killed him instantly and he lost control of the plane, just as it was about to land.

In any event, the Red Baron was dead.  His body was taken by the Australian officers who would later give him a funeral with full military honors.

https://youtu.be/5i6MKbTW168


Baron Manfred Von Richthofen.  May 2, 1892 - April 21, 1918  
By C. J. von Dühren - Willi Sanke postcard #503 (cropped). Immediate source: The Wartenberg Trust, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18314105     

albrecht

Quote from: Rix Gins on April 21, 2018, 03:00:06 PM

13. Richthofen's body was later examined and it was determined that a single bullet had been shot through his chest.  They couldn't tell if the bullet came from above or below.

So there it is.  My own theory goes like this.  It was well known that Manfred carried a pistol and some gold pieces for use as escape mechanisms in case he was ever shot down.  Brown succeeded in disabling the Baron's Triplane but it was still controllable and Richthofen made for the beet field where he would land his plane and make his escape.  In his haste, he grabbed his pistol and accidently discharged it just as he was approaching the ground.  The shot killed him instantly and he lost control of the plane, just as it was about to land.

In any event, the Red Baron was dead.  His body was taken by the Australian officers who would later give him a funeral with full military honors.


Baron Manfred Von Richthofen.  May 2, 1892 - April 21, 1918  
By C. J. von Dühren - Willi Sanke postcard #503 (cropped). Immediate source: The Wartenberg Trust, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18314105   
I know during wartime there would've been higher priorities but "the person that got The Red Baron" would also have been good for morale and propaganda so surprised a surgeon didn't investigate further. The bullet, I guess, was not found in the body but you would think the type of wound would give an impression of the caliber and so you could tell if from his pistol, anti-aircraft ground fire, or fire from the pursuing plane?

grano salis

Quote from: Rix Gins on April 21, 2018, 03:00:06 PM
Well, it had to happen sooner or later and in this case, later.  After achieving eighty aireal victories, Manfred Von Richthofen, the Red Baron, was killed on April 21, 1918.  Historians have done a pretty good job of piecing together what happened on that morning, but it all comes up lacking as to who actually killed the Red Baron.  Here is a simplified list of events that led to the German pilot's death.

1. A fairly large group of British Sopwith Camels took off, headed for the front lines where they hoped to take photographs and direct artillery fire.

2. The German pilots were hampered by some early morning fog but after it dissipated, they too took the sky after receiving reports of incoming Sopwith Camels.

3.  The two sides came together somewhere over the front lines.

4. Richthofen spotted a Sopwith Camel lingering outside the main body of enemy planes and he made a beeline for it.

5.  The Sopwith pilot was newcomer Wilfred May and he had been instructed to observe and not take part if a dogfight happened to occur.  He noticed the red Triplane approaching him and he made a fast exit, heading back to his airfield.

6. Richthofen decided to pursue the fleeing Camel and followed it, even though it removed him from his group of fighters.

7. Experienced Camel pilot Roy Brown saw what was transpiring and he decided to help out his fellow pilot.

8. May tried his best to shake his pursuer off by dipping way low, almost treetop in what was actually a very beautiful stretch of undamaged valley that the Somme River ran through.

9. Brown got close enough to take some shots at Richthofen.

10. A group of Australian gunners got a bead on the Red Baron's plane and they fired at it from below.

11. Richthofen's plane was disabled and it went down in what looked like a controlled landing over a beet field.  At the last second though, it crashed hard into the field.

12. A number of Australian soldiers converged on the wreckage and once they determined that it was the Red Baron's, they quickly stripped the plane of all it's fabric for use as souvenirs.

13. Richthofen's body was later examined and it was determined that a single bullet had been shot through his chest.  They couldn't tell if the bullet came from above or below.

So there it is.  My own theory goes like this.  It was well known that Manfred carried a pistol and some gold pieces for use as escape mechanisms in case he was ever shot down.  Brown succeeded in disabling the Baron's Triplane but it was still controllable and Richthofen made for the beet field where he would land his plane and make his escape.  In his haste, he grabbed his pistol and accidently discharged it just as he was approaching the ground.  The shot killed him instantly and he lost control of the plane, just as it was about to land.

In any event, the Red Baron was dead.  His body was taken by the Australian officers who would later give him a funeral with full military honors.

https://youtu.be/5i6MKbTW168


Baron Manfred Von Richthofen.  May 2, 1892 - April 21, 1918  
By C. J. von Dühren - Willi Sanke postcard #503 (cropped). Immediate source: The Wartenberg Trust, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18314105   


Didn't he suffer from post concussion syndrome having had a bullet graze his calvarium in a previous outing?  It could be said that he really wasn't in top form at the time of his demise.  He was only 25 years old.  Sad about all those good looking young men dying in trenches and so forth --wasn't there anyone in Europe who thought "maybe this war won't be such a good idea" in 1914?

Rix Gins

Quote from: grano salis on April 21, 2018, 03:32:50 PM

Didn't he suffer from post concussion syndrome having had a bullet graze his calvarium in a previous outing?  It could be said that he really wasn't in top form at the time of his demise.  He was only 25 years old.  Sad about all those good looking young men dying in trenches and so forth --wasn't there anyone in Europe who thought "maybe this war won't be such a good idea" in 1914?

Richthofen was technically shot down when he received the head wound/bullet graze.  He was lucky.  He had passed out but regained consciousness in time to glide his plane to a landing.  Spent some time in hospital and many thought he wasn't the same afterwards.  I kind of think that he regained most of his flying skills, though he was a bit more cautious perhaps.  He wasn't cautious at the very end though, and it cost him his life. 

I think a lot of young soldiers, British, French and German first looked upon the war as being a lark, an adventure of sorts.  The Battle of the Somme and other early mega-battles must have changed their minds.  The French soldiers soured and many started to mutiny.  It is just too bad that the Germans had enough resources and men to keep things moving.  The allies and later America, must have had no choice but to keep fighting.  Speaking of the US, I have some family history that shows that my three great uncles were more than happy to give up their hard farm work in order to make their way over to that gay Pairee place. 

   

GravitySucks

Quote from: Rix Gins on April 21, 2018, 04:09:54 PM
Richthofen was technically shot down when he received the head wound/bullet graze.  He was lucky.  He had passed out but regained consciousness in time to glide his plane to a landing.  Spent some time in hospital and many thought he wasn't the same afterwards.  I kind of think that he regained most of his flying skills, though he was a bit more cautious perhaps.  Funny though, he wasn't cautious at the very end and it cost him his life. 

I think a lot of young soldiers, British, French and German first looked upon the war as being a lark, an adventure of sorts.  The Battle of the Somme and other early mega-battles must have changed their minds.  The French soldiers soured and many started to mutiny.  It is just too bad that the Germans had enough resources and men to keep things moving.  The allies and later America, must have had no choice but to keep fighting.  Speaking of the US, I have some family history that shows that my three great uncles were more than happy to give up their hard farm work in order to make their way over to that gay Pairee place. 



The Dan Carlin 6 part series about WWI on the Hardcore History podcast is amazing. I highly recommend it if you haven’t heard it yet.

Rix Gins

Quote from: GravitySucks on April 21, 2018, 04:14:51 PM
The Dan Carlin 6 part series about WWI on the Hardcore History podcast is amazing. I highly recommend it if you haven’t heard it yet.

Yes, that is great!

Rix Gins

Quote from: albrecht on April 21, 2018, 03:16:47 PM
I know during wartime there would've been higher priorities but "the person that got The Red Baron" would also have been good for morale and propaganda so surprised a surgeon didn't investigate further. The bullet, I guess, was not found in the body but you would think the type of wound would give an impression of the caliber and so you could tell if from his pistol, anti-aircraft ground fire, or fire from the pursuing plane?

I think Brown was used for propagandist purposes, but I'm not totally sure, can't remember where I read it.  Military intelligence could have figured out what happened by examing a bullet hole in the plane's fabric.  Unfortunately the Aussie soldiers took all of it for souvenirs.   

Rix Gins

From the Imperial War Museum, April 22, 1918.


QuoteThe two Spandau machine-guns from Rittmester Manfred von Richthofen's wrecked Fokker Triplane being examined by officers of No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps at Bertangles, 22 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246570 © IWM (Q 10928)


QuoteThe funeral procession of Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen at Bertangles, 22 April 1918. No. 3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246564 © IWM (Q 10917)


QuoteAn RAF Chaplain leads the coffin of Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen past the saluting party as it enters the cemetery at Bertangles. The coffin is carried by six pilots of No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. The funeral service was held on 22 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205213462 © IWM (Q 10918)


QuoteOfficers lowering the coffin into the grave. No. 3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. Bertangles, 22 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205215976 © IWM (Q 10920)


QuoteFour officers placing wreaths from British Squadrons on the grave. Bertangles, 22 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205215973 © IWM (Q 10923)


QuoteAustralians firing a volley at the graveside. No. 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. Bertangles, 22 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205246565 © IWM (Q 10921)


QuoteThe service at the graveside. No. 3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. Bertangles, 22 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205215975 © IWM (Q 10919)


QuoteAir mechanics filling up the grave. No. 3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps. Bertangles, 22 April 1918.
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205227703 © IWM (Q 10922)



Rix Gins

From the Library of Congress.  The Tonopah Daily Bonanza, April 22, 1918.


YOUNG MAN DROWNED AT SODAVILLE

  Yesterday afternoon five young men from Luning autoed to Sodavllle and indulged in a swim at the Sodaville Mineral Baths. Bryon Campbell, a member of tha party while in the pool walked out in water over his bead and being unable to swim quickly sank out of sight and was not missed by his companions for several minutes. As soon as his absence was discovered two of the young men made desperate efforts to rescue the drowning man, and in their attempt nearly lost their lives, not being swimmers themselves. The body was brought to the surface and heroic measures were used to resuscitate young Campbell but without success. The deceased had resided at Lunlng for some time.


H. FLETCHER SOLVES GREATEST MYSTERY - TILER OF ELKS LODGE DIES FROM STROKE OF PARALYSIS

  This morning at 6:30 o'clock H. Fletcher, tiler of Tonopah Lodge, 1062 B. P. O. E., a private patient at the county hospital, solved the great mystery. Mr. Fletcher left the Elks' home at 10:30 Thursday night and walked to his room on Florence avenue and was in the act of disrobing when stricken with the third paralytic stroke. When found Friday at noon he lay partly across the bed in an unconscious state. He was removed to a private ward at the county hospital. He never regained consciousness.

  The deceased, known throughout the county as "Little Fletch," was very popular with all of his acquaintances. He came to Tonopah in 1905 with Frank Everett and engaged in the mining business. Later on he opened a brokerage office on Brougher avenue opposite the Airdome. At that time he was president of the United Tonopah Mining company of Gold Mountain. In 1909 he was first stricken with paralysis, which stroke, however, did not cut down his activities to any great extent. Shortly afterwards he and his associates engaged in mining at Millett. this county, where he still has mining interests.

  About three months ago the deceased was again, stricken with paralysis but seemed to recover and was up and around and able to attend his duties until Thursday night when the third stroke resulted fatally.

  He has a brother and sister residing in Alabama and Illinois and attempts to locate them had met with failure up to the time of going to press. Mr. Fletcher was a charter member of Tonopah lodge 1062, B. P. O. E., and will be buried by that order from its lodge rooms at 4:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. He was in the neighborhood of 46 years of age at the time of his death. He was a man that was respected wherever he was known and his death has brought sorrow to his many friends.



albrecht

Quote from: Rix Gins on April 22, 2018, 03:56:22 AM
From the Library of Congress.  The Tonopah Daily Bonanza, April 22, 1918.


YOUNG MAN DROWNED AT SODAVILLE

  Yesterday afternoon five young men from Luning autoed to Sodavllle and indulged in a swim at the Sodaville Mineral Baths. Bryon Campbell, a member of tha party while in the pool walked out in water over his bead and being unable to swim quickly sank out of sight and was not missed by his companions for several minutes. As soon as his absence was discovered two of the young men made desperate efforts to rescue the drowning man, and in their attempt nearly lost their lives, not being swimmers themselves. The body was brought to the surface and heroic measures were used to resuscitate young Campbell but without success. The deceased had resided at Lunlng for some time.


H. FLETCHER SOLVES GREATEST MYSTERY - TILER OF ELKS LODGE DIES FROM STROKE OF PARALYSIS

  This morning at 6:30 o'clock H. Fletcher, tiler of Tonopah Lodge, 1062 B. P. O. E., a private patient at the county hospital, solved the great mystery. Mr. Fletcher left the Elks' home at 10:30 Thursday night and walked to his room on Florence avenue and was in the act of disrobing when stricken with the third paralytic stroke. When found Friday at noon he lay partly across the bed in an unconscious state. He was removed to a private ward at the county hospital. He never regained consciousness.

  The deceased, known throughout the county as "Little Fletch," was very popular with all of his acquaintances. He came to Tonopah in 1905 with Frank Everett and engaged in the mining business. Later on he opened a brokerage office on Brougher avenue opposite the Airdome. At that time he was president of the United Tonopah Mining company of Gold Mountain. In 1909 he was first stricken with paralysis, which stroke, however, did not cut down his activities to any great extent. Shortly afterwards he and his associates engaged in mining at Millett. this county, where he still has mining interests.

  About three months ago the deceased was again, stricken with paralysis but seemed to recover and was up and around and able to attend his duties until Thursday night when the third stroke resulted fatally.

  He has a brother and sister residing in Alabama and Illinois and attempts to locate them had met with failure up to the time of going to press. Mr. Fletcher was a charter member of Tonopah lodge 1062, B. P. O. E., and will be buried by that order from its lodge rooms at 4:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. He was in the neighborhood of 46 years of age at the time of his death. He was a man that was respected wherever he was known and his death has brought sorrow to his many friends.
Sad about the drowning. It is crazy how many people don't know how to swim and yet will still go into water. I heard back in the day many sailors and fisherman couldn't swim. I know some shrimpers on the coast that the old timers don't know how to swim. Crazy, I say!

I like the phrasing. "Art Has Solved The Great Mystery" should've been the headlines. I wonder what would cause the gentlemen's paralysis to come and go?

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