ATTACK OUT OF THE SUN
LESSONS FROM THE RED BARON FOR OUR BUSINESS AND PERSONAL LIVESBy Durwood J. HeinrichiUniverse, Inc.
Copyright © 2010 Durwood J. Heinrich, Ph.D.
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4502-5740-4Contents
DEDICATION..............................................................................vPREFACE.................................................................................xiINTRODUCTION............................................................................11 SEEK THE BLUE MAX (Formulate Your Vision)............................................382 SELECT YOUR BOELCKE (Find a Mentor)..................................................523 BE "FIRST OF THE CHASERS" (Establish Goals)..........................................674 ENVISION YOUR TARGET (Visualize Victory).............................................875 FLY IN FORMATION (Grow Your Team)....................................................1086 MAKE YOUR FIRST SHOTS COUNT (Be Aggressive)..........................................1167 FUNCTION IN "PERFECT UNITY" (Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses).....................1268 FIGHT WITH CHIVALRY (Respect the Competition)........................................1579 ATTACK OUT OF THE SUN (Secure the Upper Hand)........................................16810 COUNT BULLET HOLES (Be an Efficient Manager).........................................17611 MOUNT A GUN TO YOUR MACHINE (Be an Effective Leader).................................20812 PAINT YOUR MACHINE RED (Make Your Product Stand Out).................................24613 TAKE YOUR CIRCUS ON THE ROAD (Stay Close to Your Customers)..........................25314 BE MODEST IN YOUR VICTORIES (Be True to Yourself)....................................25915 TIE YOUR HANDKERCHIEF TO A STEEPLE (Value Family and Friends)........................27116 GET A DOG (Relax)....................................................................277DEBRIEFING (Conclusions)................................................................289ABOUT THE AUTHOR........................................................................297ENDNOTES................................................................................299GLOSSARY OF GERMAN TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS..............................................317GLOSSARY OF GERMAN RANKS WITH THEIR APPROXIMATE EQUIVALENTS.............................319BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................320
Chapter One
SEEK THE BLUE MAX (Formulate Your Vision) Quite early somebody knocked at my door and before me stood the great man [Oswald Boelcke] with the Ordre Pour le Merite. I knew him ... but still I had never imagined that he came to look me up in order to ask me to become his pupil. I almost fell upon his neck when he inquired whether I cared to go with him to the Somme. Three days later I sat in the railway train and traveled through the whole of Germany straight away to the new field of my activity. At last my greatest wish was fulfilled. From now onwards began the finest time of my life. At that time I did not dare to hope that I should be as successful as I have been. When I left my quarters in the East a good friend of mine called out after me: "See that you do not come back without the Ordre Pour le Merite." [Richthofen, 1918, pp. 95–6]
The Orden Pour le Merite (Order of Merit) was Prussia's highest military award during World War I. The Order's badge consisted of a striking Maltese cross of deep blue enamel with eagles between the arms trimmed in gold and worn at the neck, a requirement when in uniform. It was awarded to officers for repeated and continued gallantry in action. The Pour le Merite was to become informally known as "The Blue Max" because of its predominantly blue color and its first pilot recipient, Oberleutnant Max Immelmann.
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In 1966, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation released the movie The Blue Max, starring George Peppard as the fictional pilot, Bruno Stachel, who was obsessed with winning Germany's most coveted medal. In contrast to Stachel's misguided determination to win the Blue Max honorably or dishonorably, von Richthofen's vision was to serve his country by transferring to the "cavalry of the air" when his traditional Uhlan (cavalry) role was altered by the war's trenches and barbed wire. Richthofen's friend on the Eastern Front had helped plant the Pour le Merite seed in the Baron's mind. The Baron was intrigued by the possibility of one day actually being awarded the Blue Max, but he was also concerned with making a difference in the air war by shooting down enemy aircraft. Richthofen looked to the sky, visualizing the new battleground as an opportunity to contribute. As in his game hunting conquests, his aerial victories would be his trophies and the Pour le Merite a measure of his success.
Look to the Sky
What are we doing? We're reaching for the stars. Christa McAuliffe, Astronaut, 1986. I joined the Flying Service at the end of May, 1915. My greatest wish was fulfilled. [Richthofen, 2005, p. 60]
Richthofen, stymied by the inability to conduct traditional cavalry operations at the Verdun Front in the spring of 1915, was bored and acknowledged his "restless spirit." During a visit home to Schweidnitz in late May, Manfred announced to his mother that he was going to "join the fliers." His mother noted the unmistakable elation in Manfred's voice when he spoke of becoming an airborne observer in the Flying Service. She also knew that once he had verbalized his intention, there was no turning back—it was already a fact to him. He had made up his mind, and, even though she knew little about aviation, she knew him well enough to know that it he would soon make his dream a reality.
Richthofen literally looked to the sky and formed his initial vision! He understood that his envisioned "cavalry of the air" would provide the same sense of freedom and demand the enterprise and skill that he could no longer exercise in the ground war. He felt that his training as a cavalryman would allow him to do well as an aerial observer, and he was not yet interested in becoming a pilot. Richthofen was anxious to get into the air and was afraid the war might be over by the time he received his pilot certification.
In the air, Richthofen found the autonomy and challenge he was seeking. He could serve his country, and yet he could also enjoy his work:
The glorious thing in the flying service is that one feels that one is a perfectly free man and one's own master as soon as one is up in the air. [Richthofen, 1918, p. 56] I was full of enthusiasm and would have liked to be sitting in an aeroplane all day long. I counted the hours to the next start. [Richthofen, 2005, p. 62]
Even though Richthofen enjoyed reconnaissance work in the Albatros BII and CI with his pilots Zeumer and von Holck, respectively, he was excited when he was transferred to the Western Front to fly in a "large battle-plane." Sitting in the nose of the two-engined AEG GII aircraft, he was now armed with a machine gun, could more-effectively protect the aircraft, and most importantly, could begin to collect aerial victories. Richthofen even took a short course in machine-gunnery. Unfortunately when he and Zeumer unsuccessfully battled a French Farman aircraft on September 1st, 1915, the Baron decided that to secure a victory he would also have to pilot the aircraft so that he could better control his aim.
Richthofen had another opportunity for an air fight in mid-September flying with von Osterroht in the smaller and more maneuverable Aviatik CI. When Osterroht positioned the aircraft alongside a Farman S.II, Richthofen exhausted his entire supply of one hundred rounds and the enemy aircraft fell. However, because the aircraft crashed behind enemy lines, he would not receive credit for the victory.
When another two weeks passed, Richthofen was transferred to the German bomber unit, Brieftauben-Abteilung-Metz (BAM), in Rethel. On the train to his new assignment was where he met Leutnant Oswald Boelcke. When queried, Boelcke modestly explained how he was able to shoot down four hostile aircraft. Richthofen was frustrated because he felt that he used the same technique but his opponents seldom fell. Yet he realized that Boelcke flew a Fokker while he was an observer on a large battle plane. He therefore resolved to also fly the more maneuverable Fokker. Richthofen had redefined his vision!
At last I formed a resolution that I also would learn to fly a Fokker. Perhaps then my chances [to shoot down a hostile aircraft] would improve. [Richthofen, 1918, p. 64] Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Oliver Wendell Holmes
A vision is a clear and concise image of a desired future state, either in your personal life or in your business. What is your vision? Are you "looking to the sky" to a dream you never really felt was within your grasp? Is your vision innovative, conceivable, challenging yet achievable, but even previously unimaginable? Is it truly a passion and a source of pride for you, your family, your team, or your company? Will it provide freedom, challenge, growth, and, yes, fun? If pursuing your vision is not fun—given that there will always be highs and lows pursuing anything that is worthwhile—then perhaps it's not the right dream for you. Remember that motivation, "luck," and success grow out of a clear sense of direction and a challenge for which you or your team are prepared. As Oliver Wendell Holmes and others have pointed out, luck occurs when preparation and opportunity come together. This author likes to suggest that luck can be found at the intersection of preparation and opportunity. Don't be afraid to modify your vision as it gradually comes more into focus. Richthofen visualized flying as the means of becoming a cavalryman of the air, but he soon realized that he could be more effective by personally flying a single-pilot aircraft with its machine gun as his personal lance. "Luck" and ultimate success came for Richthofen after he had taken to the air, diligently worked on his aerial gunnery skills, and then, during a chance train ride, noticed the "Blue Max" around the neck of German hero Leutnant Oswald Boelcke.
Climb the Steeple (Be Ambitious)
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. Les Brown From the beginning of my career as a pilot I had only a single ambition, the ambition to fly in a single-seater fighting machine. [Richthofen, 2005, p. 84]
Manfred von Richthofen's ambition was to fly a single-seat fighter and become the "first of the chasers." To be given an opportunity to fly in a single-seat aircraft was aggressive enough in its own right. But to aspire to become the best of the best was beyond nearly every pilot's ambitions and expectations. This was true not only because of the skills required, but also because of the tremendous odds against even surviving combat long enough. If a pilot was well-trained, skillful—or even just plain lucky—it was possible to achieve the status of Kanone ("ace") with five aerial victories. In fact, 1863 WWI pilots (all nationalities) were credited with five or more victories. However, only twenty-eight pilots (1.5%) had forty or more victories. At forty victories—the total achieved by Oswald Boelcke at the time of his fatal collision with one of his men—the potential victory curve flattened, apparently due to pilot aging, burnout, and administratively-enforced leaves to protect valuable, experienced aviators. Yet, Richthofen refused to allow the system, the doubts of others and even those of his own to force him to abandon his dream to fly a Fokker and become Germany's highest-scoring ace. This took tremendous ambition, courage, and conviction. One of Richthofen's biggest supporters, his mother, knew that Manfred possessed both the courage and the stamina to realize his dreams. She observed that he was capable of making "lightning-fast" decisions. He knew instantly what he wanted to do, never vacillated in his resolutions, and never looked back.
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It is commonplace to allow ourselves to be influenced by others, especially by those who are close to us. If we are fortunate, we have had family, friends, mentors, managers, or co-workers who have encouraged our most lofty dreams. Richthofen was fortunate to have a father, mother, and a grandmother who were all supportive. One place this was apparent was at the home of Manfred's grandmother, Marie, in the country. Following the strict regimen in the corps, holidays were particularly pleasing to the young cadet. His arrival at the Gute Romberg was typically greeted with the welcome greeting from his grandmother, "Now you are free ... here everything is permitted." The Richthofen boys especially enjoyed the county where they could swim, ride, and hunt as much as they wanted. Similarly, Manfred's mother was not an anxious parent. She too had enjoyed a childhood that permitted freedom and enterprise. She felt that nervous mothers could hinder the development of their children.
More than likely, however, we have been surrounded by others who may have been disappointed in achieving their own dreams and have settled for something less. They may have experienced their share of disappointments and thereby may even be trying to "protect" us from potential failure ourselves. As humans, it is far too easy to accept obstacles as the reality of life that stymie our ambition and block the achievement of our most-cherished aspirations. Too often we lower our sights or simply give up. Richthofen was undoubtedly ambitious, energetic, and enthusiastic, but he also possessed the bravery and courage to choose, pursue, and ultimately realize his dreams and destiny.
As noted earlier, the author had always wanted to be a pilot. Unfortunately, his mother was concerned about the hazards of flight and clearly expressed her wishes that he not put himself in danger. However, by September, 1968, the pull was so strong that he decided to pursue his dream with or without the approval of his parents. Once he made up his mind, accomplishing his objective was relatively easy. In only six weeks, while taking a full course load in college, he earned his private pilot's license. One sunny afternoon, less than three months later, his apprehensive parents climbed aboard a four-place Cessna Cardinal at Redbird Airport with their young son at the controls to experience their first-ever departure from the ground and personal airborne tour of the Dallas Metroplex.
One fine day, with my friend Frankenberg, I climbed the famous steeple of Wahlstatt by means of the lightning conductor and tied my handkerchief to the top. I remember exactly how difficult it was to negotiate the gutters. [Richthofen, 1918, p. 23]
What is your dream, your steeple? Are you ambitious enough to "climb the steeple" and to take command of your "aircraft?" Don't settle for less than the "highest point" or allow others to pilot your "plane" to its destination. Expect and insist on the freedom to achieve your vision. Isolate yourself from negativity. Likewise, don't allow walls (or glass ceilings!) to be built up around your family members, employees, or co-workers. Give them the support and freedom to be creative and realize their own dreams at the same time. Further, there does not have to be a dichotomy between your company's vision and that of your employees or colleagues. Help them "see" the vision and take pride in its achievement. Allow them to be creative and remain motivated. For those who don't think employees are motivated, hide out in the company parking lot on a Friday afternoon at 5:00 PM!
Insist on Flying a Fokker (Be Determined)
After the third flight with him [Manfred's brother, Lothar] I suddenly noticed he parted company with me. He rushed at an Englishman and killed him. My heart leapt with joy when I saw it. The event proved once more that there is no art in shooting down an aeroplane. The thing is done by the personality or by the fighting determination of the airman. [Richthofen, 1918, p. 150]
Although von Richthofen's strong resolve helped him prepare for and then pass his pilot's examination on Christmas day, 1915, it was nearly three months later before he finally received orders to return to the Front to fly the Albatros CIII. He was disappointed that he was as yet unable to fly the faster, more maneuverable single-pilot Fokker. Worst of all, he was again in a two seater aircraft, but this time in the pilot seat, the one without the machine gun! However, undeterred and ignoring the ribbing from the other pilots, he attached a machine gun to the upper wing of his aircraft so that it could be fired over the propeller arc. Subsequently, on April 26, 1916, the German official communiqu noted that two hostile aircraft had been shot down in aerial combat. One of these was a French Nieuport II scout pursued and shot down by the Baron himself!
Meanwhile, Richthofen continued to implore Kasta 8's Kommandeur, Hauptmann Carganico, to obtain a single-seat Fokker Eindecker so that he could be designated the unit's fighter pilot when not flying reconnaissance missions. Finally one day, two Fokkers were delivered to Landres. One was assigned to Erwin Bohme, and, perhaps because of a good word from Oswald Boelcke, the other was handed over to Richthofen and Leutnant Hans Reimann, for morning and afternoon patrols respectively.
It is one thing to have a vision and ambition. It is quite another to possess the determination or resolve to achieve your dream. To assert that Richthofen was an excellent pilot, as well as having dedication and determination would be an understatement. For any pilot to achieve forty victories in World War I—the right stuff, if you will—tremendous skill and determination were required. Richthofen would ultimately post eighty official victories!
But the Baron was also logical and calculating in what he did. Generally, the German pilots were outnumbered in the air by a ratio of 3-to-1. It was critical under such circumstances that aerial battles be chosen carefully. Possessing the patience and the instinctive craftiness of a hunter, Richthofen attacked from a position of advantage. He rarely took unnecessary risks unless he was protecting one of his own men. Richthofen noted in his Air Combat Operations Manual:
One should never obstinately stay with an opponent who, through bad shooting or skilful turning, one has been unable to shoot down, when the battle lasts until it is far on the other side and one is alone and faced by a greater number of opponents. [Richthofen's (MvR) Air Combat Operations Manual; Kilduff, 1993, p. 239]
(Continues...)
Excerpted from ATTACK OUT OF THE SUNby Durwood J. Heinrich Copyright © 2010 by Durwood J. Heinrich, Ph.D.. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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