In the footsteps of the Red Baron

[Aeronut]

I’m planning a trip to visit the sites mentioned in the book ‘In the Steps of the Red Baron’. Has anyone done likewise recently or attended any good WW1 aviation tours? Accommodation recommendations would also be appreciated.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/268x436/af540d6f_08b8_4502_8451_1122e9843d66_91249aac33e724195a63227 32cbe4961729342f2.jpeg

[Gne]

Sorry can't help with your request but I do have access to footage of him and several of his mates (Fokker, Seekatz Goering and others) at work and play during the war and after (those who survived). Also hundreds of original documents - a modern day journey through documents, photos and film of aviation luminaries from a bygone era - an era torn by war and conflict - but with common threads of friendship, commerce and fun. As I wrote in the brief used to garner interest in producing a documentary based on the material : " Red Baron, Goering, Fokker and others of that era at work and play during the turbulent times of the 1914-18 conflict and in the following years, including the shooting down of an RAF aircraft, holiday “happy snaps” of the three swimming at a resort lake, the Fokker factory on the move by train and much more. The common link is a mutual friendship and business association Goering, Von Richthofen and Fokker have with Seekatz. Each scene in the footage is titled with names and locations. "

The documents trace Seekatz’ interests, both business and personal from his early youth (1909) to his death. The common thread is aviation. The cast of associates and friends reads like a “who’s who” of European aviation from its very early days and through two wars to the 1960’s.

A full inventory of the documents is available.

The documents are in good condition. Many of the photographs are inscribed with personal greetings and notes. I have scans of many of the documents I can share with interested aviators.

Seekatz was not a pilot; however, he had an abiding interest and connection in the aviation community in Germany before, during and after not only WW I but until his death in 1971. He was well respected by his counterparts and played a major role in the development and production of Fokker aircraft.

PM me if you like a copy of the index.

Gne

[Good Vibs]

Hello,
This is an amazing area loaded with WW1 history.

Plan your trip carefully so as to see and learn as much as possible.
Use google earth to find and confirm the many interesting locations.

We were there during the summer of 2017.
Want to return to see even more of history.

Have fun and enjoy,
Mike

Here are a few suggestions and a couple of photos....





1) Not WW1 but a beautiful aviation museum with many famous aircraft and a very friendly staff.

Musee Industrie et de l’Aeronautique, Albert, 17 Rue de l'Industrie

80300 Albert N50°00’”E02°38‘09.75“


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/musee_industrie_et_de_l_aeronautique_imgp7651_1_e9d91d4607b3 dc61090e47b166ade0cfcb94fb98.jpg




2) An amazing museum.

Museum Somme 1916 1916 Rue Anicet Godin, 80300 Albert


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/musee_somme_imgp7497_1_5f74635f9a2261c101fdb536c233260f29ea8 caf.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/musee_somme_imgp7491_1_26dee298afab7e663574ceb2b439c40e9f58c 9b6.jpg


3) Crater Lochnager à La Boisselle 21 m x 91 m 01 Juli 1916

N50°00´56“ E02°41‘51


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/imgp7444_1_467df6a5a7486d0dd1592c5add8cc5798128467b.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/lochnagar_crater_imgp7452_1_c16c6cfb29e062978e33a585b93fe483 e1ea7bf5.jpg


There are many monuments and cemeteries. Here are two of dozens.

4) Thiepval Memorial Somme & Trenches in Forest N50°03`03” E02°41`10”

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/thiepval_memorial_somme_imgp7439_1_f0155cb175a60ef3839dc80f8 e9407b83c5c8ab9.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/thiepval_memorial_somme_imgp7441_1_dee978b45714e70d4e02a2723 5bea1523ce82cd0.jpg



5) Fricourt German Mil Cemetery N50°00’15” E02°42’52”


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/fricourt_imgp7461_1_a03e4ddf039eb4d2cb08a29303e24545c2086c2a .jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/fricourt_imgp7458_1_537089db11658162f41596a4fb8267d64486ae47 .jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/750x1000/fricourt_imgp7457_1_81bccdf574c9d89b1e81b2775fb2568cfc338977 .jpg


And of course.....

6) Vaux-sur-Somme-St Colette Crash site…N49°55’57” E02°32’24”

..Manfred von Richthofen..21 April 1918
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/imgp7502_1_2999496878062e21b2f24b8fe2e605acb2bacce7.jpg


7) Bertangles Cemetery N49°58’22” E02°17’37” M.v.R


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1000x750/imgp7508_1_0a628a6fa5d1f374f198e04309efcbd84f986da4.jpg

[teeteringhead]

Remember seeing the picture of Richthofen without expecting to - nearly fell out of the car! Was doing a "normal" battle field Tour.....

Was struck in the German Cemetery at the number of Stars of David - a couple visible in the photo above - and wondered what became of their families a couple of decades later in the country they had died for........

[Less Hair]

Just to be sure: This is his (propaganda) book "Der rote Kampfflieger" from WW1. Still very interesting and you can feel the mood change during the war.
German language, might need some auto translation:
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/24572/24572-h/24572-h.htm

[Good Vibs]

The Musee Somme 1916 offers tours of the area battlefields. Travel with a guide either in your own car or with a taxi. Just check their website.http://www.somme-trench-museum.co.uk/

We had no problems with hotels as there are many around Albert and Amiens

I’am sure the hotels can also give info about battlefield tours. Or of course the towns Tourist Information Office.

And there is an excellent book published by “After the Battle” called “Before Endeavours Fade” which is a guide to the battlefields of the first world war. Buy it if you can as it’s a treasure to have on a trip in the area.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/425x585/before_endeavours_fade_after_the_battle_pub_1994_4c2b4ff4ccb e9f81c511aeb3385682cca629862f.jpg

And yes, we thought the same at the Germany Military Cemetery. That's why I took the photo the way I did.