Editing Manfred von Richthofen (section)

===Wounded in combat===
[[File:DVa2.jpg|thumb|right|Richthofen's Albatros D.V after forced landing near [[Wervik]]. This machine is not an all-red one.]]

Richthofen sustained a serious head wound on 6 July 1917, during combat near [[Wervik]], Belgium against a formation of [[Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2|F.E.2d two-seat fighters]] of [[No. 20 Squadron RAF|No.&nbsp;20 Squadron RFC]], causing instant disorientation and temporary partial blindness.<ref name="McAllister 59"/> He regained his vision in time to ease the aircraft out of a spin and execute a forced landing in a field in friendly territory. The injury required multiple operations to remove bone splinters from the impact area.<ref name="McAllister 60">McAllister 1982, p. 60.</ref>{{efn|The air victory was credited to Captain [[Donald Cunnell]] of No. 20,<ref>Guttman, 2009 pp. 86–88</ref> who was killed by German anti-aircraft fire a few days later (12 July 1917) near Wervik. Cunnell's observer Lt. A. G. Bill successfully flew the aircraft back to base.<ref>Guttman & Dempsey (2009), pp. 88–89.</ref>}}

The Red Baron returned to active service against doctor's orders on 25 July,<ref>Burrows 1970, p. 154.</ref> but took convalescent leave from 5 September to 23 October.<ref>Burrows 1970, pp. 160–163.</ref> His wound is thought to have caused lasting damage; he later often suffered from post-flight nausea and headaches, as well as a change in temperament. There is a theory (see below) linking this injury with his eventual death.