John Robertson Duigan, Australian aviation pioneer

3 Squadron AFC and 'The Red Baron', Manfred von Richthofen

3 Squadron was formed at Point Cook, Victoria, in September 1916 and moved to England for training before deploying to France the following year.

3 Squadron aircraft were used for bombing and reconnaissance missions in support of British, Canadian and ANZAC forces and by the end of hostilities the unit was regarded as the best allied reconnaissance squadron of the war.

On April 21, 1918 when two 3 Squadron RE8s were on a photographic mission, they were attacked by four German fighters led by Baron Manfred von Richthofen - the (in)famous 'Red Baron'. Despite the fact that the German pilots were the elite of the German Air Service, they were driven off by the lumbering Australian reconnaissance machines.

Combat report made out by Garrett and Simpson after the action with von Richthofen and Jasta 11

Franks, N., and Bennett Alan, The Red Baron's Last Flight A Mystery Investigated, Pan Macmillan 1998.

You may wish to download a 1000 pixel version of this image

Record Book entry for April 22, 1918 detailing flights of John Daigan (sic. Duigan) and his cousin T. Leigh Simpson

Franks, N., and Bennett Alan, The Red Baron's Last Flight A Mystery Investigated, Pan Macmillan 1998.

You may wish to download a 1000 pixel version of this image

Record Book entry for April 22, 1918 detailing flights of John Daigan (sic. Duigan) and his cousin T. Leigh Simpson

Franks, N., and Bennett Alan, The Red Baron's Last Flight A Mystery Investigated, Pan Macmillan 1998.

You may wish to download a 1000 pixel version of this image

Aerial photo by member of 3 Squadron at about 10.40 a.m. April 21, 1918
This photo was taken by either Lieuts. Simpson and Banks or Garrett and Barrow just prior to being attacked by von Richthofen and Weiss

Franks, N., and Bennett Alan, The Red Baron's Last Flight A Mystery Investigated, Pan Macmillan 1998.

You may wish to download a 500 pixel, 1000 pixel or 2000 pixel version of this image

Map of the Amiens-Hamel region April, 1918

http://www.awm.gov.au/1918/battles/hamel.htm

You may wish to download a 500 pixel, 1000 pixel or 2000 pixel version of this image

The last known 'portrait' of Manfred von Richthofen

If this is as stated in many reproductions, to be the last photo of von Richthofen, then it most probably was taken about 10 a.m., 21 April, 1918. The flying boots seen in the above image are now preserved at the Australian War Memorial.

There is also one other 'last image' (not reproduced here) which has von Richthofen in the cockpit of his Dr1 prior to take off on April 21, 1918 however his face is not visable

http://www.geocities.com/aw3aw3/archive.htm

Looking for easier pickings the von Richthofen made the mistake of descending to low level over the ANZAC front line, where he was shot down and killed. Debate still rages over who actually shot down von Richthofen was it from the air or from the ground?

Two of the contenders for the claim were Australians Cedric Popkin and Robert Buie manning Lewis Guns set up for anti aircraft use. Their claim is extensively examined in Franks and Bennett's The Red Baron's Last Flight A Mystery Investigated, Pan Macmillan, 1998.

Lewis Gunner of the 30th Battery of Australian Field Artillery engaging enemy aircraft flying over Mericourt, France, on 23 August, 1918

http://www.awm.gov.au/1918/technology/index.htm

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

von Richthofen's body was subsequently recovered by 3 Squadron and buried with full military honours at Bertangles Cemetery near Amiens.

File Note:

Recent eMails from one George Marshall, (June, 2001) fill in several more details about von Richthofen's funeral and interrement.

"(The the Padre taking the service) was my father, the Reverend George H. Marshall D.S.O. He was attached to 101 Squadron R.A.F, who were (stationed) at Bertangles aerodrome at the time, and as von Richtofen was Protestant and my father was the nearest C.of E. Chaplain, he was detailed to take the Funeral."
"Some years ago I was in France and managed to visit the cemetery at Bertangles, and in the village I met the man who was the small boy on the left in the "Minutes Silence " picture.! (see below - Ed.). He gave me a vivid account of the funeral..."
"...They (3 Squadron) gave (my father) a cylinder from von Richthofen's engine, which he kept in a tin box, wrapped in a sack. When he went back into the Army in the 2nd War he had to leave his Vicarage, so he donated the cylinder to the War Effort Scrap Drive !!!!..."
George C. Marshall
Northumberland. U.K.
eMail by request

The Reverend George H. Marshall D.S.O.
Royal Signals monitor station, Harrogate,1943

The journey starts : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photo: Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer.

Australian War Memorial Negative Number: P00073.001. Donor: J. Alexander

You may wish to download a 500 pixel or 750 pixel version of this image

2237 A-Cpl John Arthur Remington Alexander, A.F.C., A.I.F.
http://www.awm.gov.au

John Alexander enlisted on July 26, 1917 and returned to Australia May 6, 1919. He joined the A.I.F in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia where he was working as a photographer. He served in the A.I.F in France as photographer with 3 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps (AFC).

As a photographer, John Alexander would have worked in the imagery analyst section. This was a relatively new science in 1917 and was instrumental in the planning of General Monash's decisive attack on the German army at Le Hamel in 1918

Funeral Cortege : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photographer unknown; Australian War Memorial Negative No. P01034.057, Donor S. Clerehan

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

Funeral Cortege : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photographer unknown; Australian War Memorial Negative No. P01034.058, Donor S. Clerehan

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

Arriving at the Cemetery : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photographer unknown; Australian War Memorial Negative No. P01034.059, Donor S. Clerehan

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

Arriving at the Cemetery : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Padre: Reverend George H. Marshall D.S.O., 101 Squadron R.A.F, Photo: Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

Nowarra, H. J. and Brown, K. S, von Richthofen and the Flying Circus
Harleyford, UK, 1958, L.C. 58-H941

You may wish to download a 500 pixel or 1000 pixel version of this image

Wreath Bearers : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photo: Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

L-R: Cptn. T Leigh Simpson, Lieuts. Malcolm Sheehan, Frank Mart and George Pickering

Nowarra, H. J. and Brown, K. S., von Richthofen and the Flying Circus
Harleyford, UK, 1958, L.C. 58-H941

Persons identified ex AWM Negative Number: P00743.039

You may wish to download a 500 pixel or 1000 pixel version of this image

Interrement : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photographer unknown; Australian War Memorial Negative No. P01034.060, Donor S. Clerehan

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

Present Arms : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photographer unknown; Australian War Memorial Negative No. P01034.055, Donor S. Clerehan

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

Final salute : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photo: Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

Nowarra, H. J. and Brown, K. S., von Richthofen and the Flying Circus
Harleyford, UK, 1958, L.C. 58-H941

You may wish to download a 500 pixel or 1000 pixel version of this image

Final salute : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photographer unknown; Australian War Memorial Negative No. P01034.056, Donor S. Clerehan

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

A minutes silence : 3 Squadron lays to rest an old adversary, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photo: Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

Nowarra, H. J. and Brown, K. S., von Richthofen and the Flying Circus
Harleyford, UK, 1958, L.C. 58-H941

You may wish to download a 500 pixel or 750 pixel version of this image

The grave of von Richthofen, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photo: Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

Nowarra, H. J. and Brown, K. S., von Richthofen and the Flying Circus
Harleyford, UK, 1958, L.C. 58-H941

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

The grave of von Richthofen, Bertangles Cemetery, France, 22 April 1918

Photographer unknown; Australian War Memorial Negative No. H12937, Donor Sister A. Twynam RRC

You may wish to download a 350 pixel version of this image

This event is vividly told in the following interview with Harold Edwards, the man who made the plaque shown attached to the cross above

Memories of 3 Squadron Australian Flying Corps: An interview with Harold Edwards by Adrian Hellwig http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/pointcook/afc_articles_cont10.htm

Harold Edwards was born on 11 May 1896 at the mining town of Bendigo, Vic., where his father, James Raymond Edwards, had a jewellery shop in Pall Mall, the main street, opposite Roslyn Park and the statue of Queen Victoria. Harold commenced his education at the Central School, completing the sixth grade. Later he was enrolled at St Andrew's College where, amongst other subjects, he very reluctantly studied French. A few years later, serving with the AFC in France, he wished he had put more effort into it. ...more

The remains of his crimson red triplane were held in custody by 3 Squadron until they could be handed over to the authorities.

Remains of von Richthofen's triplane on display, April 22, 1918

http://www.geocities.com/aw3aw3/archive.htm

Photo: most probably Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

Remains of von Richthofen's triplane on display, April 22, 1918

Australian War Memorial Negative Number: E02044

Identified : Left to right: Lieutenant (Lt) C. W. Gray, observer; Lt F. J. Mart, observer; Lt N. Mulroney, pilot; Lt O. G. Witcomb, observer; Lt T. L. Baillieu, pilot (later awarded DFC); Lt R. W. Kirkwood, observer; Lt A. L. D. Taylor, observer (Killed in action 20 May 1918); Private L. H. Reid, storeman (behind); Lt M. Sheehan, pilot.

Photo: most probably Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

You may wish to download a 500 pixel or 750 pixel version of this image

Remains of von Richthofen's triplane on display, April 22, 1918

Note: (1) the still 'curved' rudder frame and (2) still 'present' alumnium seat would seem to indicate that this image was most probably taken earlier than previous image.(Ed.)

Photo: most probably Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

http://members.nbci.com/frontflieger/4-ric18.htm

Examining he wreck of von Richthofen's Fokker Triplane, 425/17, April 22, 1918

Photo: most probably Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

Nowarra, H. J. and Brown, K. S., von Richthofen and the Flying Circus
Harleyford, UK, 1958, L.C. 58-H941

You may wish to download a 500 pixel or 1000 pixel version of this image

The twin Spandau machine guns from von Richthofen's Fokker Triplane, 425/17, April 22, 1918

Photo: most probably Sergeant John Alexander, official 3 Squadron photographer

Nowarra, H. J. and Brown, K. S., von Richthofen and the Flying Circus, Harleyford, UK, 1958, L.C. 58-H941

You may wish to download a 500 pixel or 1000 pixel version of this image

A number of components from von Richthofen's aircraft are now on permanent display at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook in Victoria and at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Manfred von Richthofen artifacts at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

From von Richthofen's Triplane, the control column, his compass (not shown), a section of wingstrut, a propeller fragment (not shown), a metal footstep and the gunsights from the anti-aircraft Lewis Gun of Robert Buie (53rd Battery), one of the claimants to delivering the fatal shot

Photo: Charles Hart from the website http://pease1.sr.unh.edu/1/Images/index.html

You may wish to download a 500 pixel or 1000 pixel version of this image

and in detail...

Control column of von Richthofen's Fokker Triplane, 425/17

Australian War Memorial

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

"Within a day of being recovered from its crash site, most of Richthofen' s plane had 'disappeared', leaving little more than a frame. Among the items later handed over to the Australian War Records Section (in this case by Lieutenant W. J. Warneford, the Equipment Officer of 3 Squadron AFC who had salvaged the plane) was the control column.
The photo immediately above shows the top control section of the column, which has been twisted to the right, and the left auxilary throttle handle, which has broken off its housing. This damage is likely to have occurred at the moment of impact. Contemporary accounts of the crash specifically state that Richthofen's hands were so firmly gripped around the handles of his control column that they had to be prised off."
http://www.awm.gov.au/1918/people/rbaron.htm

Manfred von Richthofen artifacts at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

von Richthofen's flying boots, only recently paired together

Photo: Charles Hart from the website http://pease1.sr.unh.edu/1/Images/index.html

You may wish to download a 500 pixel version of this image

Manfred von Richthofen's flying hood

Authenticity unknown but of the period. Image ex 'Webshots'

You may wish to download a 350 pixel version of this image

A further selection of images of Manfred von Richthofen and the aircraft he flew (but not necessarily related to 3 Squadron AFC) is also available on this site

May 9, 1918

Lieutenant A. S. Patterson, regularly flew as an observer with Captain John R. Duigan. They had many escapes from enemy fighters, but none closer than on May 9, 1918 when they were attacked by four Fokker Triplanes while on a photographic mission over Villers-Bretonneux, France.

In the ensuing battle of some minutes, their outgunned reconnaissance aircraft was severly damaged and Captain Duigan, now wounded in five places, was finally forced to land. In Men and Machines of the AFC.. Charles Schaedel mentions this day when he writes about "two (flight commanders) being lost to the squadron (in May) with the death of Captain Ralfe and the wounding of Captain Duigan on the 6th and 9th respectively" Lieutenant Patterson however had been luckier. One bullet had passed through his flying goggles, but he escaped uninjured. The goggles are now on permanent display at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook in Victoria, Australia.

The story has even a stanger twist in that despite the battle, the pair had continued to photograph the enemy positions and furthermore on landing, Duigan had refused medical assistance until his observer had been attended to and the photographic plates had been removed from the aircraft's camera and dispatched to base.

In late May, Duigan was sent back to England to recover from his wounds and at wars end, took over the command of 7 Training Squadron before returning home to Australia.

http://raafmuseum.com.au/tour/artifact/b1.htm