Der rote Kampfflieger von Rittmeister Albrecht Freiherrn von Richthofen

VON RICHTHOFEN, Manfred.

Item Number: 129037

Berlin: Verlag Ullstein & Co, 1917.

First edition in German of the autobiography of Manfred von Richthofen, famously known as The Red Baron. Octavo, original wrappers, illustrated. Signed by Manfred von Richthofen on the half-title page. In very good condition. Signed copies of the first edition of Der Rote Kampfflieger are extremely scarce, von Richthofen was 25 years old at the time of his death.

Manfred von Richthofen, famously known as 'The Red Baron', was a fighter pilot with the German Air Force during World War I. He is considered the ace-of-aces of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories. Richthofen achieved great fame by flying a Fokker Dr.I triplane painted bright red. "Der Rote Kampfflieger" was written as an autobiography by the WW1 flying ace while recovering from serious wounds received in combat on July 6th, 1917. The content was heavily subject to wartime censorship, since German authorities wanted to protect Richthofen's hero status for propaganda purposes. After the publication, the pilot actually acknowledged that the tone of the book was too arrogant but he died in 1918 before a revised edition could be published. Richthofen was shot down and killed near Vaux-sur-Somme on 21 April 1918. There has been considerable discussion and debate regarding aspects of his career, especially the circumstances of his death. He remains one of the most widely known fighter pilots of all time, and has been the subject of many books, films, and other media.