German Officers, 1939 and The Red Baron, 1917

My favorite uniforms in history are those of the Third Reich, specifically the Luftwaffe(German Air Force). In World War II, the German uniforms were designed for the parade ground, which is why they appeared flawless, but their impracticality contributed tor Germany's demise in the war. Above is a visual representation of four branches of the Wehrmacht(Armed Forces).

First is one of Germany's most renowned commanders Generalfeldmarschall(Field Marshal) Erwin Rommel. He first distinguished himself as a tank commander during the invasion of France in 1940 and then was sent to North Africa the following year to fight the British. His cunning tactics and brilliant strategies earned him the sobriquet "The Desert Fox," the respect of his adversaries, and a promotion to Generalfeldmarschall. He is anachronistically depicted carrying a Marschallstab(Field Marshal's baton).

Next is an Oberst(Colonel) in the Heer(Army). He wears a field grey Heer officer's uniform. His uniform includes Stiefelhosen(jodhpurs) and riding boots. These items follow the equestrian tradition of the Junker officer corps. On the contrary, the Kriegsmarine Kapitän zur See(Navy Captain) wears straight-legged trousers and low-quarters since the Kriegsmarine had no equestrian tradition. However, the Luftwaffe Oberleutenant (First Lieutenant) wears Stiefelhosen, since when the German Flying Corps was first conceived, many of the pilots were former cavalry officers(see below).

Perhaps the most iconic of the Third Reich uniforms were those of the Allgemeine SS. The Schutzstaffel(Defense squadron) was established as the right arm of the Nazi Party after Hitler consolidated power. The Allgemeine SS were the political branch of the SS, as well as the Third Reich's honor guard, while the Waffen SS served as the Wehrmacht's crack fighting force.

Moving back to the previous world war, Manfred Freiherr von Richtofen, known as the Red Baron, is perhaps Germany's most celebrated aviator. Originally an officer in the 1st Prussian Uhlans, Richtofen was relegated to menial infantry duties, since cavalry was falling out of favor. Ever-eager for adventure and refusing to accept the status quo, Richtofen transferred to the recently-established German flying corps. He quickly distinguished himself as a pilot, and led his own squadron Jasta 11. "Richtofen's Flying Circus" consisting of vivdly painted aircraft, including his own red Fokker Dr.I triplane, which earned him his sobriquet "the Red Baron."

During the war he downed eighty enemy aircraft, becoming the leading ace of the First World War. He met his demise as he pursued his would-be eighty-first victim over the Somme on the 21st of April, 1918. During his pursuit he came under fire from a Royal Air Force Sopwith Camel, piloted by Canadian Captain Roy Brown and an Australian machine gun team. Richtofen was killed by a bullet and his plane subsequently crashed. A study back in 2003 by the PBS series NOVA studied the fatal bullet's trajectory and concluded it was most likely from the ground. Thus it is safe to assume, the Red Baron never lost a single dogfight.

In other news, the Colored Pencil Society of America's San Diego chapter, which I am a part of held an election for new Vice President. Since no one else volunteered for the post, I seized the position in a bloodless coup d'etat. As Napoleon said "I found the crown in the gutter and I picked it up with my sword! And it was the people who put it on my head." Also, Waltz at the Corinthia received an honorable mention for most progress and my first exhibition.

I am truly thankful for these accomplishments and being able to network with local aspiring artists like myself. I hope the rest of you in the United States had a wonderful Thanksgiving!