Before the war, Richthofen had been a national champion horseman, and had grown fond of trophies and ribbons. During the war, he went so far as to award himself an engraved silver cup for each Allied plane he downed. The Orden Pour le Merite was his nation's highest military honor, and two days after receiving his first command Richthofen wore its blue and gold cross. Satisfied, he took firm charge of his squadron Jasta 11. On …showed first 75 words of 905 total…

…showed last 75 words of 905 total…that killed the Red Baron. The Australian gunners tried to claim the kill, but credit is generally given to Brown.Von Richthofen was buried the next day in the small village of Bertangles. British and Australian troops gave him full military honors, and a British pilot dropped a note in German territory containing the news. Germany went into deep mourning. Richthofen was eulogized throughout the flying world, including this tribute in a British flying journal "