From the Diary of the Red Baron
From the Diary of the Red Baron
November 15, 1915 – Choices
Sometimes in life we must make choices. This was most certainly the cause of last night’s restlessness, a feeling which hounded me long after my eyes first watered with the morning sun. It has been but a few days since Herr von T., the examiner charged with my first examination, looked upon me, straight in the eye, and uttered the words I will not soon forget… “I’m sorry, Freiherr Richthofen, but you did not pass.” I was confident that the polished badge I sought would be mine that day, as I had described the maneuvers I had intended to perform, exactly as briefed, and I had made several sharp landings, in accordance with orders received. What a jolt to me- to learn that I had, in fact, failed.
Never the less, this is now the case, and I have a decision to make. Should I give up this endeavor, and return to my much loved and comfortable position in the Cavalry? Should I continue as a flight observer, and simply tolerate the fact that my fate would always be left to another, who has succeeded, where I have not, in earning his place in the pilot’s seat? Or, should I resolve never to give up until the badge I so desire gleams from its newly affixed position on my own coat?! Enough of this nonsense! I will not so easily halt this great endeavor which I have begun! I will be a pilot! On to Doberitz!!
- M. von Richthofen
On November 15, 1915, Manfred von Richthofen packed his bag, swallowed his pride, and set out for Doberitz, a municipality in the Havelland district, in Brandenburg, Germany, in order to make a second attempt at his flight examination, after, in fact, failing his first. It was on the flight to Doberitz- a flight made in a large aircraft- where, he made up his mind that he would not only pass his next exam, but that he would go on to fly quick and nimble fighters, as opposed to the slow maneuvering, larger variety, which would later be utilized for bombing and other tasks. He made the choice, after a setback, to aim even higher!
Find out, in next month’s newsletter, how the Red Baron ends up doing in Doberitz! 
- Bret Bedard
