WAR

Nodding, von Richthofen turned to go. "By the way," he said over his
shoulder, "you can take over Jasta 11 as of tomorrow."
Udet was acting CO. of Jasta 11 until the first week in April, when an infection
in his ear grew so bad he was almost literally blind with pain. He did not
want to report it for fear of being taken off flying duty. On returning from a
flight during which he scored his twenty-fourth victory, Udet stumbled past von
Richthofen without even seeing him and headed for the dispensary. The first-aid
orderly was poking around trying to decide what to do with the ear when the
door opened and von Richthofen strode in. "What's wrong with you, Udet" he
demanded. The orderly promptly answered that there was a very serious infection
that required medical care. "Leave for you," said von Richthofen, "now."
The next morning von Richthofen and Udet walked out to the two-seater in
which Udet was to return to the rear. Udet climbed in. The pilot took off and
banked around the field. Udet waved; von Richthofen waved back and smiled.
Pour Ic Merite holders
(from left): Wiisthoff, Reinhardt,
Manfred von Richthofen.
Lowenhardt, and
Lotha r von Richthofen.
on april 1, 1918, the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were
combined into an independent body, the Royal Air Force. In January, an Air
Ministry had been set up with Lord Rothermere as Secretary of State for Air, and
Major General Sir Hugh Trenchard as Chief of the Air Staff. Major General Sir
John Salmond was appointed RAF Commander in Chief on the Western Front.
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