The Red Baron, A New Theory On How And Why

A team of researchers has determined that Baron Manfred von Richthofen wasn’t himself when he followed a British plane behind enemy lines and was shot down in 1917. Researchers Daniel Orme and Thomas Hyatt claim von Richthofen was exhibiting the classic symptoms of the aftermath of a head wound he suffered nine months earlier. In their paper, the researchers claim that the Red Baron’s behavior changed after his injury, saying he was moody, disinhibited and exhibited “target fixation” when he chased the British plane into a virtual shooting gallery in enemy territory. “He clearly should not have been flying,” said Orme, who added that the real credit for the downing of the Red Baron was the machine gunner whose “lucky shot” had creased the Baron’s skull.