Der rote Kampfflieger

A vivid memoir unfolds from the childhood of a young German noble whose family had long been tied to land and cavalry rather than the battlefield. The author recounts his formative years, the strict discipline of the cadet corps, and the early pull of duty that led him into the 12th Uhlan regiment. He paints a picture of a lineage steeped in tradition, yet on the brink of change as the old world of horse‑back combat gives way to the roar of engines.

When the war erupts, the narrative shifts to his first experiences on the front, the uneasy transition from cavalry to the air, and the thrill of his inaugural flight as an observer. He describes the eerie sound of distant bullets, his first patrol over the Champagne front, and the excitement of meeting fellow aviators who would become legends. The early days of aerial combat are rendered with a mix of youthful bravado and sobering realism, offering a personal window into the birth of modern warfare.