Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 - 21 April 1918), also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I. He is considered the top ace of that war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories, more than any other pilot. During his convalescent leave, Richthofen completed his autobiography, "Der rote Kampfflieger." This was written on the instructions of the propaganda section of the Luftstreitkrafte. An English translation by J. Ellis Barker (this edition) was published in 1918 as "The Red Battle Flyer.""