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Strategically painting his aircraft bright red made Richthofen a mascot of sorts on the battlefield. This choice was emblematic of his desire to stand out, as well as a homage to Prussian tradition. His flamboyance earned him the nickname "The Red Baron,” a moniker that would follow him through the war and into history.
Commanding his own squadron, Richthofen became a skilled leader who balanced aggression with strategy and loyalty to his men. Under his leadership, his squadron, Jasta 11, achieved impressive kill counts, establishing Richthofen as a symbol of German aerial prowess, even as the tide of war began to turn.