After the Red Baron was killed in World War I, who took over his "Flying Circus" fighter squadron?
The "Flying Circus" was a WWI fighter wing, made up of four fighter squadrons, with about fifty pilots all together. Baron Manfred von Richthofen (the "Red Baron") commanded the unit. Although von Richthofen flew the only plane in the squadron painted solid red, the entire unit had planes painted some combination of red and another color. They were unmistakable when encountered by the enemy in the air, and given their reputation, struck fear into allied pilots. Because of the myriad of colored markings of their aircraft allied pilots began calling them "the Flying Circus".
Von Richthofen received a fatal wound just after 11:00 am on 21 April 1918. While pursuing an Allied Sopwith Camel at very low altitude it is believed a single shot from the ground hit the Baron in the heart killing him instantly. He is credited with shooting down 80 Allied aircraft.
After Von Richthofen's death Hauptmann (Lieutenant) Wilhelm Reinhard assumed command until July 1918 when he was killed in an flying accident. Oberleutnant Hermann Göring became the group's third and last commander of the war. Göring went on to command the Luftwaffe in WWII and became one of Hitler's closest confidants.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
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