Manfred von Richthofen “Der rote Kampfflieger” 1939 Sixth Edition Book

This item is a German-language edition of Der rote Kampfflieger by Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen, the celebrated First World War fighter ace known as the “Red Baron.” The book shown is the sixth edition, identified on the title page as “6. Auflage / 21.–25. Tausend,” and published in 1939 by Winklers Verlag, Gebrüder Grimm, Darmstadt. It is a later interwar/early Third Reich reissue of Richthofen’s wartime memoir rather than a contemporary WWI printing.

The book is bound in a softcover format with a black front cover bordered in red-orange, featuring the title Der rote Kampfflieger in Gothic script, Richthofen’s name at the top, and a stylized aircraft emblem bearing Eisernes Kreuz markings. The rear cover is plain red-orange. Internally, the title page confirms that the text has been rendered into Deutsche Kurzschrift according to the standardized script form of 30 January 1936, transferred by Bezirksjustizrat Karl Lang. A notable political feature of this edition is the foreword credited to Ministerpräsident Hermann Göring, linking the publication directly to the Luftwaffe-era cult of WWI aviation heroes. The interior includes printed reproductions of Richthofen’s handwritten shorthand pages, presented as facsimiles within bordered frames, emphasizing authenticity and personal authorship.

Historically, this edition reflects the Third Reich–era recontextualization of Imperial German heroes. Richthofen’s legacy was actively promoted in the 1930s as a symbolic predecessor to the modern Luftwaffe, and editions such as this served both commemorative and ideological purposes. While the original Der rote Kampfflieger was first published during the war, later editions with Göring’s foreword occupy a distinct collecting category tied to aviation history, propaganda, and the continuity narrative between the Imperial and National Socialist air arms.

From a collector standpoint, this book appeals to several advanced niches: WWI aviation, Red Baron material, Luftwaffe prehistory, and German military publishing of the 1930s. It is not rare in the absolute sense, but condition-sensitive and more desirable than generic reprints due to its identifiable edition, political foreword, and faithful reproduction of shorthand manuscript content. It fits well within serious reference libraries or aviation-focused collections rather than casual book groupings.

Condition is good overall. The covers show even age toning and light handling wear, with minor edge and corner softening. The binding appears intact. Interior pages are clean and complete, with no visible tearing or loss. A light handwritten name or inscription is present at the top of the title page, consistent with period ownership, and should be regarded as neutral to slightly detracting depending on collector preference. No repairs or modern alterations are evident.