When the aerial battles of World War I are discussed, one name comes to mind instantly, Manfred, Vaughn. Richthofen, popularly known as the Red Baron. He was that war's most successful air fighter through a combination of marksmanship, steel hard nerves and luck. Richthofen shot down 80 enemy aircraft in less than 15 months total time at the front as a fighter pilot. This spectacular success at destroying aerial opponents made him a living legend on both sides of the lines. Revered, as a seemingly invincible champion by his own forces, he was respected by his adversaries. This book provides the first clear, fully documented view of Manfred, Vaughn Richthofen as an air fighter. Exemplary leader and an important figure in the development of German fighter units and tactics in World War I.
It was made possible by extensive research and with the end of the cold war, the release of significant documents in Eastern Germany that have been unavailable to Western historians since before War World War 2. It traces the development of German fighter aviation from the early single aircraft aerial ambushes to the massed attacks of the battle force that Rick doven developed into a highly effective air weapon. The author Peter Kilduff makes extensive use of a wealth of carefully researched and verified documentation, as well as personal accounts by Manfred von Richtoven not previously translated into English. Richthoven's own air combat operations manual, completed shortly before his death in combat is included in its entirety. Further, richness and balance are assured by observations from the Red Baron's comrades and admirers, as well as from his enemies. These materials and a superb selection of photographs and maps combined to give the reader a comprehensive, first-hand view of the Red Baron, and the open cockpit fighting that he helped to develop during World War I.
*Peter Kilduff, who produced the first modern translation of the Richthofen memoirs in 1969, and is an aviation historian of international stature and recognize authority on German aviation history. He has 6 previous aviation books to his credit and has delivered university lectures on aviation history in Germany, has been editor of two major aviation journals and produced numerous articles for international magazines and anthologies. This new book is his most ambitious work to date and sets new standards for early aviation scholarship.*
