Is Richtofen a General? Unraveling the Military Ranks and Roles of Dr. Edward Richtofen
The question of whether Edward Richtofen held the rank of general is a common point of confusion among fans familiar with the complex lore of the Call of Duty Zombies storyline. The short answer is no, Richtofen was not a general. While he held military ranks and had a significant role within German military structures in his past, his highest confirmed military rank was that of Deputy Commander (Kommandierender General) of the Guards Corps in Berlin. This position, although important, falls below the rank of a full general.
Richtofen’s Military Background
Prussian Army Beginnings
Before becoming entangled in the paranormal, Richtofen’s background was firmly rooted in military tradition. Born into an aristocratic Prussian family, he, along with his brother Lothar, followed their father’s path into a military career. In 1912, Richtofen became a lieutenant in the 1st Uhlan Cavalry Regiment of the Prussian Army. This demonstrates his early commitment to military service and his grounding in standard military procedures.
Promotion and Command
His military career progressed through World War I where he served until he was given command of the 53rd Corps (z.b.V.) in March 1917. This command lasted until January 1918, after which he received his highest achieved military rank, Kommandierender General (Deputy Commander) of the Guards Corps in Berlin. This role indicates a high level of responsibility within the German military structure. It is important to note that Kommandierender General is a position rather than a rank itself; it’s the post of a deputy commander, and would usually be held by an officer of at least a General-Leutnant rank, but it is not itself a title that confers the status of a General. Therefore, Richtofen, while influential, never achieved the full rank of General within the traditional military hierarchy.
From Soldier to Scientist
Although his military background played a crucial role in shaping his initial approach to problem-solving, his obsession with science ultimately led him down a different path. His involvement with Group 935, where he acted on behalf of the Illuminati, marked a significant shift from military service to scientific experimentation, particularly with Element 115. He leveraged his military background to gain access to resources and knowledge while his scientific experiments came to dominate his focus.
Richtofen’s Leadership Role in Zombies
While he may not have been a general in rank, Richtofen consistently played a leadership role in his narrative. Whether in the Ultimis Crew or Primis Crew, he was the one frequently formulating plans, often with questionable ethics, but always with the purpose of achieving his goals. His leadership, however, was typically derived from his knowledge and influence rather than from military authority.
His strategic planning was often complex, manipulative, and controversial, and these qualities made him a fascinating character but not a traditional military leader. His leadership style was marked by his ruthlessness, his willingness to sacrifice others, and his ultimate quest for control.
Richtofen’s Lasting Impact
Richtofen’s story is less about his official rank and more about his immense impact on the Call of Duty Zombies universe. From his early days in the Prussian Army to his pivotal role in Group 935 and the chaos of the zombie outbreaks, Richtofen’s influence has always been far-reaching and impactful. Although he lacked the official title of General, his military background and strategic mind were instrumental in his actions throughout the storyline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Richtofen ever a member of the Illuminati?
Yes, according to the lore, Richtofen had been a member of the Illuminati since August 30, 1925. He joined Group 935 acting on their behalf.
2. How did Richtofen get involved with Group 935?
Ludvig Maxis invited Richtofen to join Group 935 after the two met. He agreed to join and began to work with Maxis on a variety of experiments.
3. What was Richtofen’s role in the creation of zombies?
Element 115 is the primary cause of zombies in the Call of Duty universe, Richtofen was deeply involved in the experiments that led to this discovery and their creation. He saw it as a means to create a new kind of super-soldier.
4. What kind of research did Richtofen conduct?
Richtofen was at the forefront of torture and information extraction research. His unethical experiments involved various subjects and he had no moral qualms about them, viewing victims merely as subjects, not human beings.
5. What are Richtofen’s known abilities?
Richtofen possesses Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Superhuman Athleticism, Portal Creation and Dimensional Travel (with the Summoning Key), and Soul Manipulation as well.
6. How did Richtofen die?
While the RAF originally credited Brown with shooting down Richtofen, it is now generally agreed that Richtofen was killed by an anti-aircraft (AA) machine gunner firing from the ground.
7. How is the Red Baron connected to Richtofen?
Richtofen’s name may have been inspired by the legendary German World War I flying ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen, more commonly known as the Red Baron. The two do not have a real connection, though.
8. Why do the Ultimis versions of Dempsey and Richtofen hate each other?
Ultimis Richtofen and Ultimis Dempsey have a mutual dislike for each other and hate each other. This is a continuous source of tension throughout their interactions, while the Primis versions are shown to be strained friends.
9. Why does Nikolai hate Richtofen?
In the Origins storyline, Nikolai hated Richtofen from the beginning for creating the Zombies, as this action leads to all the following conflicts.
10. Why did Richtofen sacrifice himself in Blood of the Dead?
In Blood of the Dead, Richtofen sacrifices himself to break the Cycle. This resulted in the post-Revelations Richtofen being released from his cryogenic pod.
11. Why did Richtofen betray Maxis?
Richtofen believed Maxis was distracted and unfit to lead Group 935. When Maxis did not keep his promise to mass-produce the Wunderwaffe DG-2, Richtofen conspired against him.
12. What weapons did Richtofen create?
Richtofen was responsible for creating the Monkey Bomb, the Wunderwaffe DG-2, and the Quantum Entanglement Device.
13. Why did Richtofen need his blood to be used?
Richtofen’s blood, rich in Aether energy, was essential for completing the mission to resurrect Revelations Richtofen and create portals needed to get other characters out of Alcatraz.
14. Why can Samuel hear Richtofen?
Samuel Stuhlinger is schizophrenic and consumed zombie flesh in the past. These factors, among others, allow him to hear Richtofen.
15. Why does Samantha hate Richtofen?
Samantha Maxis hates Richtofen because he conducted unethical experiments on her as part of his research with her father, Ludvig Maxis. This abuse led to her transformation into a monstrous entity.
In conclusion, while Dr. Edward Richtofen was never a general in the traditional military sense, his military background and calculated mind were foundational to his complex persona and actions within the Call of Duty Zombies universe. His journey from a Prussian lieutenant to a manipulative scientist and an influential figure in the zombie outbreak reveals a character far more compelling than just his rank.