Speaking of WWI. The fighter pilots often behaved with what in an earlier time would have been called knightly chivalry and respect.
The Red Baron himself actually spared a pilot he had downed. As the
Allied pilot was landing his plane in a field, dying engine smoking, Richthofen
merely flew past, waggling his wings in salute.
Later, when Manfred Von Richthofen was shot down and killed, his plane landed in Allied territory. The Allies honored him with a full military funeral.
The Red Baron himself actually spared a pilot he had downed. As the
Allied pilot was landing his plane in a field, dying engine smoking, Richthofen
merely flew past, waggling his wings in salute.
Later, when Manfred Von Richthofen was shot down and killed, his plane landed in Allied territory. The Allies honored him with a full military funeral.
Quote:In common with most Allied air officers, Major Blake, who was responsible for Richthofen's remains, regarded the Red Baron with great respect, and he organised a full military funeral, to be conducted by the personnel of No. 3 Squadron AFC.
Richthofen was buried in the cemetery at the village of Bertangles, near Amiens, on 22 April 1918. Six airmen with the rank of Captain—the same rank as Richthofen—served as pallbearers, and a guard of honour from the squadron's other ranks fired a salute. Allied squadrons stationed nearby presented memorial wreaths, one of which was inscribed with the words, "To Our Gallant and Worthy Foe."