Der rote Kampfflieger (edition 1933)

A surprisingly enjoyable memoir. It does have that "does this make the fatherland look good" get it past the censors feel often found in pre-Vietnam works of all armed forces across the globe. As it was written at the time of an ongoing war minute details are conspicuously absent.What comes across the most is his love of flying and the hunt. Atleast till somewhere around 30-40 kills. I did not realize how much of a bad mooter scooter his brother Lothar was with 40 kills. And they flew together often. ( )

not a bad book to read, although a lot of it is common knowledge now so not too many new facts. but being written (and censored minimally) by the man himself it gave a great viewpoint to his life up to about a year from his death (had about 50 kills at this point). full of arrogance and even at times naieve, he must have been a fascinating person to know. certainly bordering genius, and fearless as well.
good read, but the english notes seem just as 'propagandist' as do the german censros!
the appendix on his kills and planes makes for interesting reading in itself. ( )