Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/270 PART 1/1 - 1918 - 1939 - Part 6

Conflict:

First World War, 1914–18

Subject:

Documents and letters

Status:

Awaiting approval

Accession number:

RCDIG1066668

Difficulty:

18
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS
"AUSWARMUSE."
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL,
POST OFFICE BOX 214D,

EXHIBITION BUILDINGS MELBOURNE.

TELEPHONE Nos.

F2597.
F 2598.
COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO
"THE DIRECTOR"

IN REPLY PEASE QUOTE
NO. . . . . . .
"They gave their lives. For that public gift
they received a praise which never ages and a
tomb most glorious - not so much the tomb in
which they lie, but that in which their fame
survives, to be remembered for ever when
occasion comes for word or deed. . . . . . . ."
9th November, 1934.
Dear Mr. Bazley,
With further reference to your letter No. 8938
of the 31st October, I am now returning the cutting from
"Smith's Weekly" which you forwarded therewith.
We have been successful in obtaining the photograph
of Richthofen which Mr. Barrett submitted to "Smith's". It
appears to be important to test the authenticity of the
photograph which was not taken by Barrett. He is a young
man, about twenty-three years of age, and states that the photograph
was given to him by a returned man named Hogan, whose
christian names he does not know. Barrett thinks he may,
however, be able to obtain Hogan's address and is making
enquiries for us.
It appears to be advisable to retain the photograph
for the time being but, if Dr. Bean would like to see it,
please let me know and I will forward it to Sydney at once.
Mr. McAllan has not yet completed his enquiries
but I hope to be able to let you know early next week whether
there is any trace in the records in the library of the medical
certificate referred to by Captain Knox.
Yours sincerely,
J Treloar
Mr. A. W. Bazely,
C/o. Official Historian,
Victoria Barracks,
PADDINGTON. N.S.W.

[*This afternoon we received on approval 'Richthofen: the Red Knight of the Air "by Vigilant"
(John Hamilton). We shall keep it & send it to you next week. In its last chapter it
develops the theory that R. was shot down by Brown after R. had stopped chasing May &
after he had been fired on by Australian lewis gunners.*)

19
"SMITH'S WEEKLY", 15/9/34.
THE RICHTHOFEN CONTROVERSY
STILL RAGES
"Wop" May's Account of the Episode
MORTEM
PHOTO
SHOWS
BULLET
MARKS

Sketch See original document
SIR HUGH E. POYNER

MANY contributions
have been received
by "Smith's" to the
controversy concerning
the bringing down
of the German war ace,
Captain Baron Manfred
von Richthofen,
the great bulk of them
expressing surprise
that there should be
any controversy at all.
The fight, at its various
stages, was seen by
probably more than
ten thousand Australians
who were in the vicinity of Corbie and
Bonnay, in the Somme area, at the time. So
far, not one of them has been found who saw
a third plane anywhere within striking
distance
at the time Richthofen met his death.
SIR
HUGH

POYNTER,
Bt.,
JOINS
IN
Two contributions -
one from Sir Hugh
Poynter, Bart., and the
other from Mr. H.
Eccles, of Rydalmere,
N.S.W. - are therefore
of interest in that they
put forward contentions
in support of the
Canadian claim that
Richthofen was shot
from the air by the
Canadian airman, Captain
Roy Brown.
A third contribution,
however, encloses a
post mortem photograph
of the face of Richthofen -
too gruesome for publication -
which seems to show
quite clearly where the fatal
bullet entered
and where it came out - AND
IT COULD
NOT HAVE BEEN FIRED FROM THE AIR.
______________________________________________________________
To Be Victim No. 81
"I have read with much interest
the discussion taking place
in your paper regarding the rival
claims of bringing down the
German Ace, Richthofen," writes Sir Hugh E.
Poynter.
"Although unable to add to the
elucidation of the actual facts,
it may interest you to know that the
seat of the plane in which Richthofen
sat when he was killed is in the
Military Institute in Toronto,
Canada.
"As a member of that Institue for
several years during
my residence in Canada after
the war, I often looked
at the seat,
with a bullet hole through the back of it, and
the description of Captain Brown bringing
down the plane.
"There appeared no doubt in the
minds of the Canadians that Captain
Brown shot down Richthofen, and the
fact that the seat of the plane finds an
honored place in the museum of the
Canadian Military Institute in Toronto
would certainly lend some color to the
claims that Captain Brown was responsible
for the finish of Richthofen."
Of course, as Sir Hugh Poynter
points out, this adds nothing to the elucidation
of the actual facts of the
fight; but it does bear out the contention,
disputed by some of
"Smith's" previous correspondents,
that the claim has been made on behalf of
the Canadian airman that
he brought down the German.
MR. H. ECCLES. writing from Rydalmere,
N.S.W., forwards what he
states are extracts from the story of
Lieut. W. R. ("Wop") May, the British
airman, who was being chased by Richthofen,
and who was in such a parious
plight when the German was shot
down. Mr. Eccles states that the extracts
are from a publication which he
holds, and which emanates from either
Canada or U.S.A. - he is not certain
which.
After describing events which led up
to the death of Richthofen, May states:
"A mile behind our lines the whole
thing ended as abruptly as the chase
had been long-drawn-out. The machine-spinning
behind me seemed to become
particularly intense. I looked over my
shoulder and discovered that the pursuit
had become a double one. Another Camel
was sitting as prettily on the
Fokker's tail as the German was sitting
on mine. The thing finished almost
at the moment I turned to look.
The pilot of the third machine let loose
with a burst at close quarters, and the
red "Tripe's" nose went down. For a
moment it looked as though he was
pulling a fast one to get out of a nasty
spot, but he didn't stop until he had hit
the ground.
"I banked about and waggled my
wings gratefully at the newcomer.
Then I noticed his markings. It was
Brownie. It had been a
long chase for Brownie.
"Once he came within range, though
he hadn't taken long to conclude the affair.
The German intent on finishing me, had
been a perfect target.
"My combat report, describing the
action, was in before we discovered
that the red Fokker contained Richthofen,
who had set out that morning
with a bag of eighty Allied machines
to his credit. He'd tried hard to
elect me No. 81.
Naturally I'd like to see Brownie
given full credit for tumbling the Red
Baron, because he's a close friend of
mine. Friendship aside, though, the
fact remains that he turned the trick.
I guess I was in a position to know
Not only did Richthofen crash when
Brownie opened up, but a post mortem
proved that the bullet that did the damage came
from the air. There were only three of us up in the vicinity."
The combat report mentioned was
dated April 21, 1918, and signed by
May. It stated:-
Sopwith B.R.D.
7000 feet,
2nd Lieut. W. R. May.
Single-seater triplane, blue camouflaged.
Attacked large formation of about
10-20 machines. Engaged one E.A.
(enemy aircraft) firing bursts head-on
into engine. He went over and dived
down. I was unable to observe result as
second machine attacked me from behind.
I fired at the second machine but without
result. I went down and was attacked
by a red triplane which chased
me over the lines low to the ground.
While he was on my tail, Captain A. R.
Brown attacked and shot it down. I observed
it crash into the ground. Near
Vaux-sur-Somme."
The post mortem photo (sent in
by Mr. George Barrett, 36 Barkly
St., North Fitzroy, Melbourne),
shows very clearly the marks of the
bullet. It went in near the lower
jaw and came out behind the right
eye, bearing out what was written
by Mr. Edward Burrow, of the 53rd
Battalion, and published in "Smith's"
of August 25.
But if additional evidence is required
concerning this, it can be had
in Australia. Major
Errol. G. Knox,
formerly managing
editor of the "Evening News", and still resident
in Sydney, was then a staff officer
at R.A.F. Headquarters, and had
charge of Richthofen's body from
the time it was taken away from the
plane in an Air Force tender, during
the post mortem examination, and
right up to the burial, which was
accorded with full honors.
He states that the post mortem examination
proved quite definitely that
the fatal bullet came from the
ground and he had a copy of the
doctor's certificate showing this to
be the case.
Major D. Blake, another Australian
Air Force officer, has also testified
to the effect that the fatal bullet
could not have been fired from the
air.
The controversy will probably
never be settled to the satisfaction
of everybody, but whereas many
thousands of Australians will state
that Brown was
shooting distanc

when he crashed
statement that
brought down t (this is what is left of
It is quite p the page after bottom
circumstances, right is torn off the original
confused at the newspaper)
to use his own
elected No. 81
list of victims.

20
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS
"AUSWARMUSE."
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL,
POST OFFICE BOX 214D,

EXHIBITION BUILDINGS MELBOURNE.

TELEPHONE Nos.

F2597.
F 2598.
COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO
"THE DIRECTOR"

IN REPLY PEASE QUOTE
NO. . . . . . .
"They gave their lives. For that public gift
they received a praise which never ages and a
tomb most glorious - not so much the tomb in
which they lie, but that in which their fame
survives, to be remembered for ever when
occasion comes for word or deed. . . . . . . ."
Dear Mr. Bazley,
With reference to your letter No. 8938 of the
31st October, I have arranged for a member of the War Memorial
staff to call and see Mr. Barrett with a view to obtaining the
Richthofen photograph or an authority to collect it from
"Smith's Weekly". It appeared to me best to approach Mr.
Barrett in this way, as we have found that diggers are frequently
apprehensive regarding enquiries about photographs taken during
the war when the use of cameras was forbidden.
Mr. McAllan is also going through all our Flying
Corps records with a view to ascertaining if they contain anything
relating to Richthofen's death, and particularly the
doctor's certificate referred to by Mr. Errol Knox.
I will write to you further regarding this
before the end of the week, and will then return the cutting
from "Smith's Weekly" which you sent to me with your
letter.
Yours sincerely,
J. Treloar
Mr. A. W. Bazley,
C/- Official Histories,
Victoria Barracks,
PADDINGTON, N.S.W.

8938.
31 October 1934.
Dear Major Treloar,
As Dr. Bean will shortly be dealing with the
circumstances of Richthofen's death, I am keeping for the time
being the several cuttings from recent issues of "Smith's
Weekly" that you sent me on September 24 - that is, with the
exception of the one returned herewith, which I should be glad
if you would let us have again at your earliest convenience.
My reason for returning the enclosed cutting is a
that we would like to see (a) the post-mortem photograph in Mr.
George Barrett's possession, and (b) a copy of the doctor's
certificate referred to by Mr. Errol Knox.
Would you kindly see if you can get hold of
the photograph from Mr. ~~Bartlett~~ ^∧ Barrett, whose address is given, in
the "Smith's Weekly" article, as 36 Barkly Street, North
Fitzroy. As he is probably a Digger, I have allotted the
number 1/12/11/5384 to the file - for you may succeed in
getting other records from him.
As to Mr. Errol Knox, you have already received
his records (vide 12/11/4726), but I should be glad if you can
tell me whether a copy of the doctor's certificate was included
among them. If it wasn't, we can quite easily ask him for the
loan of his copy, if he still has it; but you may, of course,
have received this document from another source.
Yours sincerely,

Major J. L. Treloar, C.B.E.,
Aust. War Memorial,
Box 214D, G.P.O.,

Melbourne.

22
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS
"AUSWARMUSE."
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL,
POST OFFICE BOX 214D,

EXHIBITION BUILDINGS MELBOURNE.

TELEPHONE Nos.

F2597.
F 2598.
COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO
"THE DIRECTOR"

Mr. A. W. Bazley,
c/o Official Historian,
Victoria Barracks,

PADDINGTON. N.S.WALES.

23
W. Mail
1. 5. 35.
RICHTHOFEN'S DEATH
SIR, - In view of the number of letters that
have appeared in The Daily Mail concerning
the death
of Freiherr Manfred
von Richthofen, may
I point out that the
B r i t i s h official
opinion will be found
on pages 389-93 of
"The War in the
Air," Volume IV".
After sifting all the
available evidence,
including the reports
of four medical officers
who examined
the body, the official
decision is that the
German air ace was
killed by a bullet
fired from another
aeroplane, i.e., that
flown by Captain A.
R. Bown, a Canadian,
G.S.O.

Stratton-road,S.W.
includes photograph
with BARON VON

RICHTHOFEN below the photograph

24
HOW RICHTHOFEN
MET HIS DEATH
TWO GERMAN VERSIONS
From Our Own Correspondent
BERLIN, Tuesday
[*D. Telegraph
24.4.35*]
The controversy about the exact manner
of the death of Baron von Richthofen, the
famous German air ace, has been revived
by the publication in a German newspaper
of an alleged "eye-witness account" of his
descent in the British lines.
The Essen "National Zeitung," which is
closely connected with Gen. Goering, the
German Air Minister, and the last commander
of the "Richthofen Circus," quotes
a certain Herr Bink late of the 3rd
Grenadier Regiment.
After describing an air duel between the
Baron and a British airman, Herr Bink
says, "Richthofen flew quite low. He
was so engrossed that he did not notice
that he was just above the enemy trenches.
From these trenches he was greeted with
a rain of bullets.
"Then he suddenly glided down quite
smoothly, and landed behind the enemy
trenches . . . . . We saw him climb living
from his plane. A number of brown
figures leapt upon him and butchered him.
He was treacherously assassinated by
bestial non-Europeans."
Last week a German newspaper published
extracts from the diary of Lt.
Schoenemann, a German artillery observer
who described how Baron von Richthofen
"came down at an angle of 45deg. striking
the ground so violently that his machine
broke in two.
"It was impossible for any man to have
survived such a crash," he concluded.
' AUSTRALIAN GUNNER
RESPONSIBLE '
STAFF OFFICER'S REPORT
Light from another angle is thrown upon
Baron von Richthofen's last fight by this
month's issue of the "British Legion
Journal."
"The man responsible for the ' Red
Knight's ' end, " writes Mr. Patrick Clifford,
" was Gunner Robert Buie. formerly of the
53rd Battery, Australian Field Artillery."
A staff officer's war-time report, he adds,
was discovered by a Brisbane solicitor: it
gave a vivid description of an aerial battle.
and identified the pilot who had been shot
down as Baron von Richthofen.
The report appeared in a Sydney newspaper,
and as a result of correspondence
which ensued, it was revealed that Gen.
(afterwards Lord) Rawlinson, the Army
Commander, sent a telegram of congratulations
to the 5th Australian Division. to be
passed on to the 53rd Battery. Australian
Field Artillery. It read as follows:
"To 5th Australian Division. Following
from Gen. Rawlinson: Begins, A.A.A.
Please convey to the 53rd Battery, 5th
Division, my best thanks and congratulations
on having brought down the celebrated
German aviator Richthofen.
Message ends."
"It cannot be doubted," says the writer.
" that in a matter of such moment the
Army Commander would hesitate to send
such a message unless he was absolutely
convinced of the accuracy of the contents."

25
[* D. Mail
25/4/35*]
[* D. Mail
25/4/35*]
RICHTHOFEN'S DEATH
SIR, - I can substantiate Flt. Le. Harker's
account of Baron von Richthofen's last
fight. This gallant German airman was
separated from his circus, and died in
combat with two British airmen one above
and one below him.
I saw both " combat reports " of the
officers concerned. and only a medical
examination of the body finally proved that
the fatal shot was fired from above -
through the shoulder and heart. I was
instrumental in despatching the following
notification, a carbon copy of which is still
in my possession :-
To the German Flying Corps.
Rittmeister Baron Manfred von Richthofen
was killed in aerial combat on April
21st, 1918. He was buried with full military
honours.
From British Royal Air Force.
This message was dropped over the German
lines. R. SCHOFIELD.
Late R.A.F., 22nd Wing, B.E.F.
SIR, - As an anti-aircraft officer on the spot
I claim to be in the best position to
judge as to who brought Baron von Richthofen
down.
The two D.H.5 machines were forced down
by Richthofen to less than 200 feet, and
before this my battery laid a barrage
between them and the tri-plane Fokker.
Just as the ace was straightening out on the
tail of one D.H. a burst of machine-gun fire
came from an Australian battery, and the
Fokker crashed.
Later in the day the Air Force came to
me for confirmation of their claim, which
was then the rule, but I could not substantiate
it.
Countess-road, Northampton.
RICHTHOFEN'S DEATH
SIR, - At the time of Richthofen's death the
Australians were holding the line on the
banks of the Ancre, supported by the Field
Artillery of the 35th Division, whose infantry
had been relieved by the Australians.
The German ace had tailed one of our
Camels to the ground in our lines. They
both taxied along as far as the Albert-Amiens
road, which was lined with trees.
Here our 'plane lobbed over, while Richofen
did his Immelman turn to make for
his own lines. It was while doing the turn
that he was killed by the bullets from Australian
riflemen." who up to this ppoint had
been viewing the chase in wonderment and
silence.
JOHN R. PAYNE, Ex-Lieut.,
159 Bde., R.F.A., 35th Div., B.E.F
Coningsby, Lincoln.

[* D Express. *]
[* D Express. *]
SCRAP of secret history related
yesterday by Australian veteran
who was in first Gallipoli
landing under BIRDWOOD twenty
years ago this Anzac Day :-
Last pay to troops (privates had
6s. a day) was made in 10s. notes
overprinted with Arabic explanation
of value and guarantee by
British Government.
NOTES were issued for purchases
by conquering Anzacs
in Turkish villages and Constantinople.
Failure of invasion confined
circulation to trench "schools "
for poker or crown and anchor.
Do any notes exist now?

26
27/4/35.
HOW RICHTHOFEN DIED
To the Editor of "The Daily Telegraph"
Sir, - References have been made in
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH recently to the
death of the German airman Richthofen.
Richthofen's body was examined by four
medical officers, and the official decision
was that Richthofen was killed by a bullet
from the machine-gun of Capt. A. R.
Brown, D.S.C., in a Sopwith B.R. Camel.
on Sunday, April 21, 1918. when attached
to No. 209 Squadron, R.A.F.
There is no doubt that the German
leader rallied for a few brief moments
after he was mortally wounded in combat
by Capt. Brown, and died fighting to the
last, which is in keeping with his character
and record.
When Capt. Brown returned to the
aerodrome at Bertangles after the fight,
he was full of admiration for the plucky
fight put up by his gallant opponent,
although at that particular moment he
was not aware of the exact identity of the
pilot of the " red triplane. "
Among the congratulatory telegrams
received by the squadron was one from
Gen. Salmond. H.Q., R.A.F., reading:
" Very best congratulations to No. 209
Squadron and Capt. Brown on bringing
down the redoubtable Von Richthofen." -
Yours, &c. A. SHELLEY.
(late Captain and Adjutant, No. 209
Squadron, R.A.F.).
Cobham, Surrey, April 25.

Summary of Statements in A.W.M.
(but not of cuttings of which
there are abt 50 accts
by eyewitnesses)
Richtofen -
(1) 23

Note from ^ B Gen JH Cannon ^written 21 Apr. in
xx 3rd Div GS Diary:
Abt 10.45 am an enemy Triplane chasing
a triplane of ours flew abt 100 ft above
these headqrs. Our plane ws not firing at
/ enemy tho' / latter ws firing at ours. Just
as / plane ws overhead a Vickers gun o /
24^th Inf Coy located at abt J 25 A 59 opened
fire on / enemy plane & it immedly swerved to
its right & to ground observance appd to be
hit. After it turned the AA Lewis guns o /
53rd Bty Aust F A opened on it. It then appd to
turn round in / air & crashed at abt J 19 et.

Lt. D. L. Fraser Bde 10. Rept Ap 21. In wood at J19 c.75 65 (1/20,000)
At ^∧ abt 10.45 am 21st inst "saw 2 aeroplanes approaching
flying westward directly towards / wood at a height of
abt 400 ft above level of River Somme over wh
they were flying." Just after Brit machine reached edge
of wood F. heard a strong burst of mg. from directn
of SE or of / wood. "immedly aftwds / red painted
enemy machine appd overhead flying v. low &
unsteadily & probly not more than 200 ft from / gnd.
I lost sight o / Brit. machine as my attentn ws
concentrd on / enemy plane wh ws flying as if not
under complete control, being wobbly & irreglr in
flight, it swerved north, then eastwds rocking a gt deal
& suddenly dived out of sight / engine still running.
full open." It fell ^∧ abt 200^× away along side B. C.nd
in J 19 B 40.30. Fraser undid airman's safety
belt & pot caster to pull him from wreckage but he ws
quite dead & ws considbly cut abt / face &
apptly shot thro' chest & body.
Crowd gathered & Fraser got Adams to put
guard over 'plane to prevent looting, as feared it
wd be shelled.
Fraser searched airman, took his personal effects -
few papers, silver watch , ^∧ a gold medallion, fur lined gloves -
gave them to Capt Hilliary, V Bde Staff, who, ~~gave~~ took
them to interpreter who identfd Richthofen.
Cannan sent to get parties c/ mgs. & found Sgt Popkin
24 mg Coy w aa. mg at abt J 25 13 3 7.

Last edited by:

Sam scott

Last edited on:

23 January 2025, 10:17 am

Last updated: 22 January 2025