In the Great War there was an odd camaraderie and chivalry
among aviators from both sides. Britain’s top Ace, Billy Bishop, mentions his
officers' mess wining and dining a downed German pilot before reluctantly
handing him over to the army.
When a pilot from either side went down behind enemy lines,
the "enemy" would drop a note to inform his comrades whether he had
been killed in a crash or taken prisoner. When a renowned pilot died, he was
given a full military funeral, and his erstwhile adversaries would drop a
wreath and note of condolence over his airfield.
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| Funeral of The Red Baron |
Manfred von Richthofen, Germany’s top Ace, better known as
the Red Baron, was shot down over the Allied lines in April, 1918. Above is a
photo of his funeral, conducted by an Australian squadron.
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