The Red Battle Flyer by Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen An Aviator's Field Book by Oswald Böelcke Two German Aces of the Great War There can be little doubt that the most iconic fighter pilot of the First World War on the Western Front was the aristocratic German 'ace of aces, ' Baron Manfred von Richtohofen. Known universally, due to his particularly conspicuous bright-red coloured Fokker Albatros triplane, as the 'Red Baron, ' he and the equally gaudy aircraft of his comrades of the 'Flying Circus' were no mere publicity stunt as their counterparts among the French and British squadrons who opposed them could attest, often to their fatal cost. In fact, Richtohofen's personal kill record was 80-more than any pilot in the conflict. Just twenty six years old when he was eventually killed in 1918, he might justifiably be described as the most famous fighter pilot of all time. Fortunately for posterity, Richtohofen found the time to write a book of his experiences, the well regarded The Red Battle Flyer. It will be a familiar text to many of those interested in the Great War in the air. It is accompanied in this special Leonaur edition by the account of another incredibly significant German fighter pilot of the period, Oswald Boelcke. Boelcke was nothing less than the Red Baron's mentor and Richtohofen's admiration for him was significant. Certainly, Boelcke was responsible for defining the craft of aerial combat and his leadership and tactical skills are regarded as original and highly influential. He was particularly concerned with the benefits and capabilities of formation fighting. An ace in his own right, he had 40 victories to his credit before he too was killed at the tragically young age of twenty five in 1916, whilst on patrol with Richtohofen himself. Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.
Manfred von Richthofen's autobiography mainly deals with his role as an ace Fighter Pilot in the First World War for the German forces. The book describes how he went from being a cavalry officer to an observer on an aircraft, to a fighter pilot, and finally to the most famous fighter pilot of the war. This is a reprint of the English translation of the German original, which was published in 1917, before the war was over.
Includes Aerial Warfare During World War I Illustrations Pack with 115 maps, plans, and photos. The famous battle memoirs of the Red Baron. The Red Battle-Flyer, or Red Fighter Pilot, (German: Der Rote Kampfflieger) is a book written by Manfred von Richthofen, the most famous German fighter pilot ace. During his time over the Western Front he achieved eighty air combat victories, making him the top-scoring fighter pilot of the First World War. The book details some of Richthofen’s experiences during World War I. He finished the book in 1917 during a convalescence from wounds, and as it was written during the World War I, it was subjected to war-time censorship. He would fight on wreaking havoc among Allied airmen until 1918 when he was finally downed, the final vanquisher of the famous Red Baron is still disputed but seems that he met his end from ground fire.
An autobiographical sketch by the famous WWI German fighter pilot known as "the Red Baron" published in the original German in 1917. This English translation appeared in 1918.
Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen: Der rote Kampfflieger Erstdruck: Ullstein, Berlin 1917. Vollständige Neuausgabe. Herausgegeben von Karl-Maria Guth. Berlin 2016. Umschlaggestaltung von Thomas Schultz-Overhage. Gesetzt aus der Minion Pro, 11 pt.
Rittmeister Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen, the highest scoring fighter pilot of the First World War, became an almost legendary figure after his death in action at the age of twenty-five. Although heavily edited before its release by the Imperial German government, this autobiography, begun by Richthofen while convalescing in the hospital after he suffered a severe head wound in July, 1917, is an interesting look into the mind of the man known to history as "The Red Baron". This English translation, first published in 1918, has the original preface and footnotes by C.G. Grey, which reflect the wartime animosity felt by the Allies toward their German enemy. Additional footnotes, an Appendix of Wartime photographs and an Index are also included in this new edition for 2013.
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