Porter Five Analysis of the European Airline Industry Essay Example for Free

Porter Five Analysis of the European Airline Industry Essay While the business model existed for some time (first such in 1973 US), the appearance of these in the European market needed the liberalization brought forth by the EU, implementing the „Freedoms of the air† in three stages. In 1997 the first LCC (Low Cost Carrier), the Ryanair began its operation, and in a few years a few more followed, which gave the national and network airlines a new problem to the existing economic problem, shrinking market and others such as 9/11. By today the changes in the past two decades have shifted and diversified the industry, which was once a mature and to some level declining in structure. The new regulations, companies, investors and consumers have brought new life, the industry once again mature with fragmented characteristics. The ideal tool for the assessment of the airlines industry is Michael Porter’s five force model. It aims to find and demonstrate the forces in the microenvironment which influence the industry, internal and external as well. Threat of new entrants (barriers to entry) †¢High capital investment ? †¢Capital intensive ? †¢Airport slot availability ? †¢Predatory pricing ? †¢Brand loyalty/frequent flyer ? †¢Economies of scale ? Limited number of routes ^ The threat of new entrants, due to the barriers mostly set by the nature of the industry and by the existing companies, are very low. Yet sometimes when the possibility arises, new companies start: in the past few years many national companies went bankrupt leaving a market to take by the existing companies or new upstarts. Bargaining power of suppliers †¢Ai rcraft manufacturers †¢Relatively low number of suppliers ^ †¢Suppliers are concentrated ^ †¢Airlines are valued customers ? †¢Airports †¢Slot availability ^ †¢Alternatives to the primary airports ? The bargaining power of suppliers is mostly two-legged, and both have a medium threat. For both parties it is best to find a mutually working solution on a long term, because it is a industry with relatively small number of players loosing even one can have an impact on both sides. Threat of substitutes †¢Alternative transport (bus, car, train) ^ †¢Videoconferencing ^ †¢Global environmental awareness ^ The threat of substitutes includes a broad variety for the different needs. All-in-all it still only gives a medium threat, since the quick transport to a distance has no alternative. Bargaining power of customers †¢Price ? †¢Internet/social media ^ †¢Customer orientation ? †¢Choice ^ With the first LCCs the customers had no bargaining power: if you choose to go with this low price, accept the services as it is. However, nowadays with more alternatives and the ever-reaching internet and social media a bad customer satisfaction can be a disaster. This can however be mitigated with customer orientation, but still customer had the choice, it is a medium high level. Rivalry within the industry †¢Between LCC and national/network airlines ^ †¢Between LCCs ^ The rivalry within the industry is high due to the high number of big and medium sized companies. The airlines industry is highly competitive, with very high barriers and medium to high threats within. While there is a relatively low threat from a new market entree, the existing international competition is fighting over all the resources: more and better airports possibly with mutually excluding contracts, picking up the customers fed up with their previous carrier or starting a price war on a selected destination, binding the newly aquired flyers with brand loyalty programmes. Unless there is an opportunity, it is not an attractive industry to enter due to the high number of barriers. However, once established a foot, it is a very interesting and very intensive industry with good possibilities. The major LCCs depending on how low cost they are making good profit and there is still room for growth. The key factors for success should include: †¢Efficiently utilizing the resources (financial, time, human resources) †¢Utilizing a network of business partners (complementary) †¢Timely expansion (trying new destinations, increasing frequency) †¢Customer orientation (with following trends eg. ocial media) These above should be observed by both LCCs and traditional airlines. The industry standards are given, those companies will become successful which can effectively utilize them.

The 8220Second8221 World War :: Essays Papers

The 8220Second8221 World War In the book The Battle for History, John Keegan, talks of the many different views on World War II. He takes into account other historical works such as Robert M. Kennedy’s The German Campaign in Poland, Christopher Duffy’s Red Storm on the Reich, The Struggle for Europe by Chester Wilmot and many others. He has already analyzed these other works. He has summarized the authors’ major points and used them to support his own theory, although Keegan’s theory about the written history of the war is quite unclear. The only theory that I could derive, is that â€Å"[it] has not yet been written.† (30) What does he mean by this? The works cited in the back of the book number over one hundred fifty. Numerous references are made to the works of other authors. Keegan does not seem to tell anything from his perspective, but state what he has read. All good and well considering this is history, but are the past events so clearly set in stone? Keegan seems to bring up questions throughout the book such as: did Roosevelt know of the attack on Pearl Harbor before it happened? â€Å"There have also been explorations of the allegation that Roosevelt had foreknowledge but chose not to act on it, as a means of bringing the United States into the Second World War on the anti-Axis side.† (17) Keegan does not do much to answer these questions, simply brings them into the picture. The book gives no feel of ending or resolution to most of the questions he brings about. Maybe this was his purpose. Topics in the book up from one place to another. In one paragraph Keegan may be discussing the use of the Enigma, a commercial cipher machine; in the next Keegan might begin discussing the use of U-boats. Although there is some logical flow through the book, for the most part the subjects are jumpy, causing the work to be choppy and cluttered babbling. It seems like the author is trying to squeeze as much as he can into as few pages as possible. Keegan does, however, give a good overview of the major events and inside action that went on during this significant period in world history. He speaks of rebellions, strategic bombing, spies and other elements that played a part in the downfall of the Third Reich.

Human sexuality Essay

She was barely eight years old when together with seven of her age mates ,she was handed over to a traditional circumciser who took them through the painful process of FGM. it has been many years since ,and she has accomplished so much in life, but the incident remains fresh in her mind. The old woman who took them through the process was going blind, she says, and three of the eight who underwent the procedure died due to excessive bleeding. One of them was her very close friend. Luckily for her, the bleeding was not too much and she had a savior at hand. Her father, who was a policeman, took her to a hospital in Garissa using a police land rover. This was the traumatizing experience that nominated Member of Parliament, Sophia Abdi Noor went through when her mother blessed her to undergo the rite of passage that would cleanse her and make her acceptable for marriage according to tradition. Never before in history of the august house had a member used her own life experience to move debate as Ms.  Sophia did when supporting the bill to outlaw female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilation is the term used for operations or removal of all or just part of the external parts of female genitilia. This practice has for a long time come under increasingly intense international scrutiny from the news media, feminist and human rights organizations. The main reasons for continuation of FGM are firstly, as a rite of passage from girlhood to womanhood; a circumcised woman is considered mature, obedient and aware of her role in the family and society. Secondly, FGM is perpetuated as a means of reducing sexual desire of girls and women, thereby curbing sexual activity before and ensuring fidelity within marriage. Although opposition to female ‘circumcision’ has been articulated throughout the twentieth century, starting with missionaries and colonial administrators, the current resurgence of indignation was ignited in part by activists at conferences honoring the United Nations Decade for women(1975-1985). (Shell-Duncan. B,Hernland-Y;pg 23) The practice of circumcising women has very deep roots that touch all aspects of the cultures that continue to inflict it upon their girls. However,it still remains to be a practice that violates the human rights of affected women in a moral and ethical sense because it generates psychological torture, low self-esteem, tampers with a woman’s sexuality and is a health hazard. Psychological torture The pain inflicted by F. G. M does not stop with the initial procedure, but often continues as an ongoing torture throughout a woman’s life. Intense pain and hemorrhage experienced during the procedure can lead to shock. A 1985 Kenyan study found that nearly 97% of the 269 women interviewed experienced intense pain during and after F. G.  M and more than 13% went into shock. According to WHO, It is self-evident that any form of surgical interference in the highly sensitive genital organs constitutes a serious threat to the woman, and that the painful operation is a source of major physical as well as psychological trauma. The extent and nature of the immediate and long-term mental disturbances will depend on the girl’s inner defences, the prevailing psychological environment, and a host of other factors. The family no doubt does its best to mitigate the painful effects of the operation; nonetheless, they necessarily undergo overwhelming experiences. Even before the operation, the threat of ‘cutting’ and fear provoking situation may disturb the mental state of the child to the degree that it causes worry, anxiety, sleeplessness, nightmares or panic. As anticipating precautions against these anxieties the family commonly uses various forms of traditional magi co-religious practice such as fumigation, or the wearing of amulets. On a religious perspective, the scripture prescribes that special efforts be made to care for those who are most vulnerable. (Deut 10:17-19,Ps 82:3,4; Ps24:11,12;Luke 1:52-54) Jesus taught that children should be loved and protected. Therefore,the genital mutilation of young girls violates the biblical mandate to safeguard children and protect them from harm and abuse Tampers with a woman’s sexuality. Sexual intercourse can only take place after opening the infibulation, through surgery or penetrative sexual intercourse. Consequently, intercourse is frequently painful during the first weeks after initiation. Although it is difficult to verify reports or women’s sexual experiences, physical complications from FGM often impede sexual enjoyment. FGM destroys much or all of the vulva nerve endings, delaying arousal or impairing orgasm. Lacerations loss of skin elasticity, or development of neuron (a tumor or mass growing from a nerve) can lead to painful intercourse. In a 1993 Kenyan study, 5% of women interviewed experienced painful intercourse while 9. 3% of them reported having difficult or impossible penetration, and that many of the married ones only accepted it only as a duty. Scripture celebrates the divinely ordained gift of sexual intimacy within marriage (Eccl9. 9;Prov 5:18,19). The practice of female genital mutilation should be renounced because it threatens the creator’s design for the experience of joyful sexuality by married couples. For married couples, the gift of sexual union may be further blessed by the birth of children (Prov 31:28). The fact that successful childbirth is threatened by FGM is additional grounds for opposition to this practice. Health hazard. In October 1994, as a response to the call to Global Action,UNICEF issued an executive directive declaring that FGM is a health hazard to children and violation of their human rights. FGM in any form should not be practiced by health professionals in any setting including hospitals or other health establishments. Unnecessary oddly mutilation cannot be condoned by health providers. FGM is harmful to the health of women and girls and violates their basic human rights and medicalization of the procedure does not eliminate this harm. On the contrary, it reinforces the continuation of the practice by seeming to legitimize it. Health practitioners should provide all necessary care and counseling for complications that may arise as a result. Group circumcision, where the same unsterilized instrument is used on several girls at a time, repeat cutting and stitching increases risk of HIV infection. The Bible presents the goodness of God’s creation, including the creation of human beings (Gen 1:31; Ps 139:13, 14). God is the source and sustainer of human life (Job 33:4; john 1:3, 4). He calls for preservation of human life and holds humanity accountable for its destruction(Gen 9:5,6;Ex20:13,Jer 7:3-34). The human body is the â€Å"the temple of the Holy Spirit,† and followers of God are urged to care for and preserve their bodies, including the Creator’s gift of sexuality, as a spiritual responsibility (1cor6:15-19). Because FGM is harmful to health, threatening to life, and injurious to sexual function, it is incompatible with the will of God. Having discussed the side effects that FGM pauses to victims, various communities have come up with measures to fight this procedure, an alternative rite of passage in the abandonment of FGM is used. It involves a four-step procedure Preparation Seminars for both parents and initiates are encouraged. The topics will include side effects of female circumcision, and get prepared to attend a residential seminar to elaborate on what the alternative procedure entails. Actual Circumcision In the alternative Rite of passage, actual circumcision should be stopped since we have learnt that it is not necessary to make a woman an adult nor mature. The side effects of F. C both short and long terms are to be avoided if actual circumcision is not performed. Parents can select a teacher and trainer, for their daughter who will accompany her to the residential centre for an alternative rite of passage seminar. Seclusion. For this the girls will attend a residential seminar for one week away from home. The initiate will be accompanied with their teacher and trainer. Women both circumcised and un circumcised from the community will facilitate during the seminar. Additional topics-AIDS, STI’s, simple hygiene and great women in the Bible, in community and in Kenya. Rites and rituals will be optional. Girls of circumcision age are between six and twelve years old. For the purpose of effective learning, the girls will be divided into two groups; girls between six and nine, ten and twelve. Graduation Graduation is expected to be brief and colourful. Songs, drama, plays and poems will be encouraged. Parents, community leaders, politicians and government officials will be invited to attend to witness the graduation of whole girls. Certificates of graduation will be awarded and prayers, blessings conducted. Exchange of gifts for newly graduated girls will be carried out and finally the graduates will be handed over to the community,chief,church elders and clan elders. Since it’s an annual event, committees are to b e established to plan for the following year.

Biography of Manfred von Richthofen, The Red Baron

Baron Manfred von Richthofen (May 2, 1892–April 21, 1918), also known as the Red Baron, was only involved in World War Is air war for 18 months—but seated in his blazing red Fokker DR-1 tri-plane he shot down 80 planes in that time, an extraordinary feat considering that most fighter pilots achieved a handful of victories before being shot down themselves. Fast Facts: Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen (the Red Baron) Known For:  Winning the Blue Max for downing 80 enemy planes in World War IBorn: May 2, 1892 in Kleinburg, Lower Silesia (Poland)Parents: Major Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen and Kunigunde von Schickfuss und NeudorffDied: April 21, 1918 in Somme Valley, FranceEducation: Wahlstatt Cadet School in Berlin, Senior Cadet Academy at Lichterfelde, Berlin War AcademySpouse: NoneChildren: None Early Life Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen was born on May 2, 1892, in Kleiburg near Breslau of Lower Silesia (now Poland), the second child and the first son of Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen and Kunigunde von Schickfuss und Neudorff. (Freiherr is equivalent to Baron in English). Manfred had one sister (Ilsa) and two younger brothers (Lothar and Karl Bolko). In 1896, the family moved to a villa in the nearby town of Schweidnitz, where Manfred learned the passion of the hunt from his big-game-hunter uncle Alexander. But Manfred followed in his fathers footsteps to become a career military officer. At age 11, Manfred entered the Wahlstatt cadet school in Berlin. Though he disliked the schools rigid discipline and received poor grades, Manfred excelled at athletics and gymnastics. After six years at Wahlstatt, Manfred graduated to the Senior Cadet Academy at Lichterfelde, which he found more to his liking. After completing a course at the Berlin War Academy, Manfred joined the cavalry. In 1912, Manfred was commissioned as a lieutenant and stationed in Militsch (now Milicz, Poland). In the summer of 1914, World War I began. To the Air When the war began, 22-year-old Manfred von Richthofen was stationed along Germanys eastern border but he was soon transferred to the west. During the charge into Belgium and France, Manfreds cavalry regiment was attached to the infantry for whom Manfred conducted reconnaissance patrols. However, when Germanys advance was halted outside of Paris and both sides dug in, the need for cavalry was eliminated. A man sitting on horseback had no place in the trenches. Manfred was transferred to the Signal Corps, where he laid telephone wire and delivered dispatches. Frustrated with life near the trenches, Richthofen looked up. Though he didnt know which planes fought for Germany and which ones fought for their enemies, he knew that airplanes—and not the cavalry—now flew the reconnaissance missions. Yet becoming a pilot took months of training, probably longer than the war would last. So instead of flight school, Richthofen requested to be transferred to the Air Service to become an observer. In May 1915, Richthofen traveled to Cologne for the observer training program at the No. 7 Air Replacement Station. Richthofen Gets Airborne During his first flight as an observer, Richthofen found the experience terrifying and lost the sense of his location and was unable to give the pilot directions. But Richthofen continued to study and learn. He was taught how to read a map, drop bombs, locate enemy troops, and draw pictures while still in the air. Richthofen passed observer training and was then sent to the eastern front to report enemy troop movements. After several months of flying as an observer in the East, Manfred was told to report to the Mail Pigeon Detachment, the code name for a new, secret unit that was to bomb England. Richthofen was in his first air fight on Sept. 1, 1915. He went up with pilot Lieutenant Georg Zeumer, and for the first time he spotted an enemy aircraft in the air. Richthofen had only a rifle with him and though he tried several times to hit the other plane, he failed to bring it down. A few days later, Richthofen went up again, this time with pilot Lieutenant Osteroth. Armed with a machine gun, Richthofen fired at the enemy plane. The gun became jammed, but when Richthofen unjammed the gun, he fired again. The plane started to spiral and eventually crashed. Richthofen was elated. However, when he went back to headquarters to report his victory, he was informed that kills in enemy lines did not count. Meeting His Hero On Oct. 1, 1915, Richthofen was on board a train heading for Metz when he met the famous fighter pilot Lieutenant Oswald Boelcke (1891–1916). Frustrated at his own failed attempts to shoot down another plane, Richthofen asked Boelcke, Tell me honestly, how do you really do it? Boelcke laughed and then replied, Good heavens, it indeed is quite simple. I fly in as close as I can, take good aim, shoot, and then he falls down. Though Boelcke hadnt given Richthofen the answer he had hoped for, a seed of an idea was planted. Richthofen realized that the new, single-seated Fokker fighter (Eindecker)—the one that Boelcke flew—was much easier to shoot from. However, he would need to be a pilot to ride and shoot from one of those. Richthofen then decided he would learn to work the stick himself. Richthofens First Solo Flight Richthofen asked his friend Georg Zeumer (1890–1917) to teach him to fly. After many lessons, Zeumer decided Richthofen was ready for his first solo flight on Oct. 10, 1915. Suddenly it was no longer an anxious feeling, Richthofen wrote, but, rather, one of daring...I was no longer frightened. After much determination and perseverance, Richthofen passed all three of the fighter pilot examinations, and he was awarded his pilots certificate on Dec. 25, 1915. Richthofen spent the next several weeks with the 2nd Fighting Squadron near Verdun. Though Richthofen saw several enemy planes and even shot one down, he wasnt credited with any kills because the plane went down in enemy territory with no witnesses. The 2nd Fighting Squadron was then sent to the East to drop bombs on the Russian front. Collecting Two-Inch Silver Trophies On a return trip from Turkey in August 1916,  Oswald Boelcke  stopped to visit with his brother Wilhelm, Richthofens commander, and scout for pilots that had talent. After discussing the search with his brother, Boelcke invited Richthofen and one other pilot to join his new group called Jagdstaffel 2 (hunting squadron, and often abbreviated Jasta) in Lagnicourt, France. On Combat Patrol   On Sept. 17, it was Richthofens first chance to fly a combat patrol in a squadron led by Boelcke. Richthofen battled with an English plane he described as a big, dark-colored barge, and eventually shot down the plane. The enemy airplane landed in German territory and Richthofen, extremely excited about his first kill, landed his airplane next to the wreck. The observer, Lieutenant T. Rees, was already dead and the pilot, L. B. F. Morris, died on the way to the hospital. It was Richthofens first credited victory. It had become customary to present engraved beer mugs to pilots after their first kill. This gave Richthofen an idea. To celebrate each of his victories, he would order himself a two-inch-high silver trophy from a jeweler in Berlin. On his first cup was engraved, 1 VICKERS 2 17.9.16. The  first number  reflected what number kill; the word represented what kind of airplane; the third item represented the number of crew on board; and the fourth was the date of the victory (day, month, year). Trophy Collecting Later, Richthofen decided to make every 10th victory cup twice as large as the others. As with many pilots, to remember his kills, Richthofen became an avid souvenir collector. After shooting down an enemy aircraft, Richthofen would land near it or drive to find the wreckage after the battle and take something from the plane. His souvenirs included a machine gun, bits of the propeller, even an engine. But most often, Richthofen removed the fabric serial numbers from the aircraft, carefully packed them up, and sent them home. In the beginning, each new kill held a thrill. Later in the war, however, Richthofens number of kills had a sobering effect on him. In addition, when he went to order his 61st silver trophy, the jeweler in Berlin informed him that because of the scarcity of metal, he would have to make it out of ersatz (substitute) metal. Richthofen decided to end his trophy collecting. His last trophy was for his 60th victory. The Death of a Mentor On Oct. 28, 1916, Boelcke, Richthofens mentor, was damaged during an air fight when he and Lieutenant Erwin Bà ¶hmes plane accidentally grazed each other. Though it was only a touch, Boelckes plane was damaged. While his plane was rushing toward the ground, Boelcke tried to keep control. Then one of his wings snapped off. Boelcke was killed on impact. Boelcke had been Germanys hero and his loss saddened them: a new hero was required. Richthofen wasnt there yet, but he continued to make kills, making his seventh and eighth kills in early November. After his ninth kill, Richthofen expected to receive Germanys highest award for bravery, the Pour le Mà ©rite (also known as the Blue Max). Unfortunately, the criteria had recently changed, and instead of nine downed enemy aircraft, a fighter pilot would receive the honor after 16 victories. Richthofens continued kills were drawing attention but he was still among several who had comparable kill records. To distinguish himself, he decided to paint his plane bright red. Ever since Boelcke had painted the nose of his plane red, the color had been associated with his squadron. However, no one had yet been so ostentatious as to paint their entire plane such a bright color. The Color Red One day, for no particular reason, I got the idea to paint my crate glaring red. After that, absolutely everyone knew my red bird. If fact, even my opponents were not completely unaware. Richthofen understated the colors effect on his enemies. To many English and French pilots, the bright red plane seemed to make a good target. It was rumored that the British had put a price on the head of the red planes pilot. Yet when the plane and pilot continued to shoot down airplanes and continued itself to stay in the air, the bright red plane caused respect and fear. The enemy created nicknames for Richthofen:  Le Petit Rouge, the Red Devil, the Red Falcon,  Le Diable Rouge, the Jolly Red Baron, the Bloody Baron, and the Red Baron. The Germans simply called him  der rà ¶te Kampfflieger  (The Red Battle Flier). After achieving 16 victories, Richthofen was awarded the coveted Blue Max on Jan. 12, 1917. Two days later, Richthofen was given command of  Jagdstaffel 11. Now he was not only to fly and fight but to train others to do so. Jagdstaffel 11 April 1917 was Bloody April. After several months of rain and cold, the weather changed and pilots from both sides again went up into the air. The Germans had the advantage in both location and aircraft; the British had the disadvantage and lost four times as many men and aircraft—245 planes compared to Germanys 66. Richthofen himself shot down 21 enemy aircraft bringing his total up to 52. He had finally broken Boelckes record (40 victories), making Richthofen the new ace of aces. Richthofen was now a hero. Postcards were printed with his image and stories of his prowess abounded. To protect the German hero, Richthofen was ordered a few weeks of rest. Leaving his brother Lothar in charge of  Jasta 11  (Lothar had also proven himself a great fighter pilot), Richthofen left May 1, 1917, to visit Kaiser Wilhelm II. He talked to many of the top generals, spoke to youth groups, and socialized with others. Though he was a hero and received a heros welcome, Richthofen just wanted to spend time at home. On May 19, 1917, he was again home. During this time off, the war planners and propagandists had asked Richthofen to write his memoirs, later published as  Der rote Kampfflieger  (The Red Battle-Flyer). By mid-June, Richthofen was back with  Jasta 11. The structure of the air squadrons soon changed. On June 24, 1917, it was announced that Jastas 4, 6, 10, and 11 were to join together into a large formation called  Jagdgeschwader I  (Fighter Wing 1) and Richthofen was to be the commander. J.G. 1 came to be known as The Flying Circus. Richthofen Is Shot Things were going magnificently for Richthofen until a serious accident in early July. While attacking several pusher planes, Richthofen was shot. Suddenly there was a blow to my head! I was hit! For a moment I was completely paralyzed...My hands dropped to the side, my legs dangled inside the fuselage. The worst part was that the blow on the head had affected my optic nerve and I was completely blinded. The machine dived down. Richthofen regained part of his eyesight around 2,600 feet (800 meters). Though he was able to land his plane, Richthofen had a bullet wound in the head. The wound kept Richthofen away from the front until mid-August and left him with frequent and severe headaches. Last Flight As the war progressed, Germanys fate looked bleaker. Richthofen, who had been an energetic fighter pilot early in the war, became increasingly distressed about death and battle. By April 1918 and nearing his 80th victory, he still had headaches from his wound that bothered him greatly. Grown sullen and slightly depressed, Richthofen still refused his superiors requests to retire. On April 21, 1918, the day after he had shot down his 80th enemy aircraft, Richthofen climbed into his bright red airplane. Around 10:30 a.m., there had been a telephoned report that several British aircraft were near the front and Richthofen was taking a  group  up to confront them. The Germans spotted the British planes and a battle ensued. Richthofen noticed a single airplane bolt out of the melee. Richthofen followed him. Inside the British plane sat Canadian Second Lieutenant Wilfred (Wop) May (1896–1952). This was Mays first combat flight and his superior and old friend, Canadian Captain Arthur Roy Brown (1893–1944) ordered him to watch but not participate in the fight. May had followed orders for a little while but then joined in the ruckus. After his guns jammed, May tried to make a dash home. To Richthofen, May looked like an easy kill, so he followed him. Captain Brown noticed a bright red plane follow his friend May; Brown decided to break away from the battle and try to help. May had by now noticed he was being followed and grew frightened. He was flying over his own territory but couldnt shake the German fighter. May flew close to the ground, skimming over the trees, then over the Morlancourt Ridge. Richthofen anticipated the move and swung around to cut May off. Death of the Red Baron Brown had now caught up and started firing at Richthofen. And as they passed over the ridge, numerous Australian ground troops fired up at the German plane. Richthofen was hit. Everyone watched as the bright red plane crashed. Once the soldiers who first reached the downed plane realized who its pilot was, they ravaged the plane, taking pieces as souvenirs. Not much was left when others came to determine exactly what happened to the plane and its famous pilot. It was determined that a single bullet had entered through the right side of Richthofens back and exited about two inches higher from his left chest. The bullet killed him instantly. He was 25 years old. There is still a controversy over who was responsible for bringing down the great  Red Baron. Was it Captain Brown or was it one of the Australian ground troops? The question may never be fully answered. Sources Burrows, William E.  Richthofen:  A True History of the Red Baron.  New York: Harcourt, Brace World, Inc., 1969.Kilduff, Peter.  Richthofen:  Beyond the Legend of the Red Baron.  New York: John Wiley Sons, Inc., 1993.Richthofen, Manfred Freiherr von.  The Red Baron.  Trans. Peter Kilduff. New York: Doubleday Company, 1969.