The book details some of Richthofen's experiences during World War I. He finished the book in 1917, and as it was written during World War I, it was subjected to war-time censorship. Richthofen was killed in combat in 1918. The Red Fighter Pilot was the only book he authored. Written on the instructions of the "Press and Intelligence" (propaganda) section of the Luftstreitkräfte, it shows evidence of having been censored and edited.Burrows 1970, pp. 162–163. An English translation by J. Ellis Barker was published in 1918 as The Red Battle Flyer.
