Jagdgeschwader 53 ‘Pik-As’ Bf 109 Aces of 1940

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1472818733
Total Pages : 100 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (728 download)

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Book Synopsis Jagdgeschwader 53 ‘Pik-As’ Bf 109 Aces of 1940 by : Chris Goss

Download or read book Jagdgeschwader 53 ‘Pik-As’ Bf 109 Aces of 1940 written by Chris Goss and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2017-02-23 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Boasting pilots who had been blooded in the Spanish Civil War, Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) 'Pik As' or 'Ace of Spades' achieved great success in the skies over France and Britain in 1940. It was infamous amongst its opponents for the quality and calibre of its aces – men such as Werner Mölders, Hans-Karl Mayer and Rolf Pingel. These aces won numerous Knight's Crosses for their exploits in 1940, credited with 258 victories, with 51 pilots being killed or captured. This study follows these pilots of JG 53 into battle, telling the stories of their victories, losses, and ultimate fate. Containing 36 profile illustrations depicting the drastic change in appearance of their aircraft over time, and complemented by thorough research, this book is a welcome addition to Osprey's popular Aircraft of the Aces series.

Jagdgeschwader 53 ‘Pik-As’ Bf 109 Aces of 1940

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1472818725
Total Pages : 100 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (728 download)

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Book Synopsis Jagdgeschwader 53 ‘Pik-As’ Bf 109 Aces of 1940 by : Chris Goss

Download or read book Jagdgeschwader 53 ‘Pik-As’ Bf 109 Aces of 1940 written by Chris Goss and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2017-02-23 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Boasting pilots who had been blooded in the Spanish Civil War, Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) 'Pik As' or 'Ace of Spades' achieved great success in the skies over France and Britain in 1940. It was infamous amongst its opponents for the quality and calibre of its aces – men such as Werner Mölders, Hans-Karl Mayer and Rolf Pingel. These aces won numerous Knight's Crosses for their exploits in 1940, credited with 258 victories, with 51 pilots being killed or captured. This study follows these pilots of JG 53 into battle, telling the stories of their victories, losses, and ultimate fate. Containing 36 profile illustrations depicting the drastic change in appearance of their aircraft over time, and complemented by thorough research, this book is a welcome addition to Osprey's popular Aircraft of the Aces series.

Bf 109D/E Aces 1939–41

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1782005641
Total Pages : 101 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (82 download)

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Book Synopsis Bf 109D/E Aces 1939–41 by : John Weal

Download or read book Bf 109D/E Aces 1939–41 written by John Weal and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2012-10-20 with total page 101 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The period covered in this volume was considered to be the 'glory years' for the Jagdwaffe fresh from the experience gained in the Spanish Civil War and for the Bf 109 in particular. Many famous pilots scored their first kills in the classic dogfights staged over Poland, Western Europe, the Channel and finally southern England. Some 40 Knight's Crosses were awarded in 1940 alone. However, after sweeping all before them in support of the Blitzkrieg across continental Europe, the Bf 109E pilots were to suffer badly during the Battle of Britain, the result of poor tactics inflicted upon them by the Luftwaffe High Command, and their mount's less then generous range.

Luftwaffe Aces in the Battle of Britain

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Author :
Publisher : Air World
ISBN 13 : 1526754223
Total Pages : 337 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (267 download)

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Book Synopsis Luftwaffe Aces in the Battle of Britain by : Chris Goss

Download or read book Luftwaffe Aces in the Battle of Britain written by Chris Goss and published by Air World. This book was released on 2020-12-02 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “An extraordinary analysis of the ‘scores’ chalked up by individual fighter pilots serving in the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. So much detail!” —Books Monthly The term “fighter ace” grew in prominence with the introduction and development of aerial combat in the First World War. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an “ace” has varied but is usually considered to be five or more. For the Luftwaffe, a number of its fighter pilots, many of whom had fought with the Legion Condor in Spain, had already gained their Experte, or ace, status in the Battle of France. However, many more would achieve that status in the hectic dogfights over southern England and the Channel during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940. A number would also be either killed or captured. Some of these men, individuals such as Adolf Galland, Werner Mölders, and Helmut Wick, who between them had claimed 147 aerial victories by October 31st1940, are well-known, but most are less so. In this book, the story of each of the Luftwaffe’s 204 Messerschmitt Bf 109 “aces” from the summer of 1940 is examined, with all of the individual biographies, detailing individual fates during the war, being highly illustrated throughout. Original German records from the summer of 1940, have been examined, providing a definitive list of each pilot’s individual claims. It also covers, to a lesser extent, those forgotten fifty-three Messerschmitt Bf 110 pilots who also achieved ace status by day and also by night between 10 July and 31 October 1940. “A fascinating book indeed.” —UK Historian

Bf 109 Jabo Units in the West

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1472854462
Total Pages : 187 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (728 download)

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Book Synopsis Bf 109 Jabo Units in the West by : Malcolm V. Lowe

Download or read book Bf 109 Jabo Units in the West written by Malcolm V. Lowe and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2023-05-25 with total page 187 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Using specially commissioned artwork and detailing technical specifications, this book explores the Bf 109's different roles occasioned by wartime necessity, from its employment as a fighter to its evolution as a fighter-bomber. One of the principal types in the Luftwaffe's inventory at the beginning of World War II, the piston-engined Bf 109 was central to the many initial victories that the Germans achieved before coming up against the unbeatable RAF during the Battle of Britain. Nevertheless, by the second half of 1940 the Bf 109's operability was widened due to operational needs and it was flown as a fighter-bomber for precision attacks in Southern England. At first ad hoc conversions were made 'in the field' to allow the aircraft to carry a bomb or extra fuel tank. Such modifications were soon formalised by Messerschmitt, which created the Jabo Bf 109s. Drawing from pilots' first-hand accounts, author Malcolm V. Lowe explores the number of specialised units, including Lehrgeschwader 2 and dedicated fighter-bomber sections of standard fighter units such as 10. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 26, which flew this highly specialised fighter-bomber. Including technical specifications, rare photographs and outstanding artwork, this book explores the Jabo versions of the Bf 109E, F and G both on the production line and with the addition of Rüstsätze field conversion kits.

Bf 109 Aces of North Africa and the Mediterranean

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1782007385
Total Pages : 100 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (82 download)

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Book Synopsis Bf 109 Aces of North Africa and the Mediterranean by : Jerry Scutts

Download or read book Bf 109 Aces of North Africa and the Mediterranean written by Jerry Scutts and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2012-11-20 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Totally outnumbered throughout their short two-year sojourn in the Western Desert, the crack fighter pilots of the handful of Jagdgeschwader in-theatre fought an effective campaign in support of Rommel's Afrika Korps against the British and American forces. Relying almost exclusively on the Luftwaffe's staple fighter of World War 2, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the battle-hardened aces used the aircraft's superior performance to achieve incredible scores against the Allies. Similarly, once pushed out of North Africa, these units continued to take the fight to the RAF and USAAF from makeshift bases in northern Italy.

World War II Fighter Planes Spotter's Guide

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1472848500
Total Pages : 289 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (728 download)

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Book Synopsis World War II Fighter Planes Spotter's Guide by : Tony Holmes

Download or read book World War II Fighter Planes Spotter's Guide written by Tony Holmes and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2021-02-04 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: World War II saw pilots from around the world battling in the skies over Europe, Asia and Africa, with victory resting upon their nerve, skill and the capabilities of some of history's most iconic aircraft. In the chaos of battle, it was vital that they could quickly identify friend from foe. But do you know your Hurricane from your Bf 109, or what the legendary P-51 Mustang looks like? Do you know the wingspan of the A6M Zero-sen, or how fast it could fly? THE WORLD WAR II FIGHTER PLANES SPOTTER'S GUIDE answers all of these questions and more, providing essential information on over 90 legendary aircraft, from the celebrated Spitfire to the jet-powered Me 262. Featuring full-colour artwork to aid recognition, as well as all the details you need to assess their performance, this is the perfect pocket guide to the Allied and Axis fighters of World War II.

Bf 109E

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1472862376
Total Pages : 165 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (728 download)

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Book Synopsis Bf 109E by : Andy Saunders

Download or read book Bf 109E written by Andy Saunders and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2024-06-20 with total page 165 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An illustrated account of the Bf 109E's evolving role during the fateful first stages of the Battle of Britain. The Luftwaffe's famous Bf 109 Emil saw considerable combat across the first stages of World War 2, but it was 1940's Battle of Britain that truly put it to the test. During the early operations of that clash, in July and August 1940, German pilots had to reckon not only with the RAF but with another enemy – the English Channel itself. This evocative new study explores how the Channel's breadth and the short range of Emil combined to force the Luftwaffe's fighter units to evolve their tactics in pursuit of victory. Respected military aviation expert Andy Saunders brings the cockpit of the Bf 109E to life in a volume that draws upon first-hand accounts to tell the story of this landmark battle's fascinating beginnings. Bringing further context to this analysis, archive photos, newly commissioned artworks, and tactical and ribbon diagrams demonstrate how strategy and procedure developed over the course of combat.

Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe

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Author :
Publisher : Pen and Sword Aviation
ISBN 13 : 1526778653
Total Pages : 692 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (267 download)

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Book Synopsis Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe by : Jeremy Dixon

Download or read book Day Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe written by Jeremy Dixon and published by Pen and Sword Aviation. This book was released on 2023-09-30 with total page 692 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The German fighter pilots of the Second World War are among the undoubted heroes of the conflict, their reputation for flying skill, single-minded determination and solitary courage hasn’t diminished or been clouded by controversy over the years. Their daring and commitment, often displayed when, towards the end of the war, they were fighting against the odds, matches that of any of the other air forces they fought against. This detailed, highly illustrated reference book, which covers the exploits of the most famous and successful individuals among them, shows just how effective and undaunted they were. All the Luftwaffe day fighter pilots who flew single-seater aircraft and won the Knight’s Cross during the war are featured. The entries give information about their early lives and pre-war careers and record how many aircraft they shot down, the type of aircraft involved and where and when the combat took place. Included are accounts of particular actions which led to the award of the Knight’s Cross, and the fate of these remarkable pilots later in the war and in the post-war world is described too. Jeremy Dixon’s book will be fascinating reading and reference for anyone who is interested in the aviation history of the Second World War.

The Battle of Britain

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Author :
Publisher : Casemate / Vaktel Forlag
ISBN 13 : 1612003648
Total Pages : 328 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (12 download)

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Book Synopsis The Battle of Britain by : Christer Bergström

Download or read book The Battle of Britain written by Christer Bergström and published by Casemate / Vaktel Forlag. This book was released on 2015-09-19 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A thorough look at this turning-point WWII aerial battle, with eyewitness accounts, maps, and rare photos: “incredibly well-researched” (Aircrew Book Review). By late summer 1940, Nazi Germany had conquered all its opponents on the continent, including the British Army itself, which was forced to scramble back aboard small boats to its shores. A non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union in hand, Hitler had only one remaining object that season—the British Isles themselves. However, before he could invade, his Luftwaffe needed to wipe the Royal Air Force from the skies. History’s first strategic military campaign conducted in the air alone was about to take place. This book contains a large number of dramatic eyewitness accounts, even as it reveals new facts that will alter common perceptions of the battle. For example, the twin-engined Messerschmitt Bf 110 was actually a good day fighter, and it performed at least as well in this role as the Bf 109 during the battle. The Luftwaffe’s commander, Hermann Göring, performed far better than has been believed. The British night bombers played a more decisive role than previously thought; in addition, this book disproves that the German 109 pilots were in any way superior to their Hurricane or Spitfire counterparts. The author has examined records from both sides and provides surprising statistics that shatter much conventional wisdom—laying out the Battle of Britain as seldom seen before. Includes color photos of the relevant aircraft.

Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik-As'

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1782006605
Total Pages : 205 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (82 download)

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Book Synopsis Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik-As' by : John Weal

Download or read book Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik-As' written by John Weal and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2012-11-20 with total page 205 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Arguably the archetypal Luftwaffe fighter unit of World War 2, JG 53 aircraft were encountered on almost every fighting front from the first day of hostilities until the last. During almost six years of near-constant campaigning, JG 53 took a steady toll of Allied aircraft in every theatre it fought over. The variety of camouflage finishes worn by its machines -winter white, desert dapple and Reich's defence black - and the progression of variants are reflected in an eye-opening colour section. John Weal has spent several years researching in German archives and this, together with his personal contact with several veterans, results in an authoritative and human account of JG 53's long and eventful war.

Bf 109D/E

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1472850335
Total Pages : 81 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (728 download)

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Book Synopsis Bf 109D/E by : Malcolm V. Lowe

Download or read book Bf 109D/E written by Malcolm V. Lowe and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2022-07-21 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Using first-hand accounts and brand-new artwork, this book brings to life the realities of flying the Bf 109 in combat during the very first battles of World War II. The Bf 109 was one of the principal fighter aircraft types in the Luftwaffe's inventory during the opening months of World War II and it was central to many of Germany's early victories, before coming up against the unbeatable RAF during the Battle of Britain. This book presents first-hand experiences of the pilots who flew the Bf 109E, the aircraft which first featured a Daimler-Benz DB 601 powerplant, and which was in the front line in the skies over Poland, the Low Countries and France, and the older Bf 109D, still in use in the Polish campaign. The early variants of the Messerschmitt fighter, the Bf 109E-1, Bf 109E-2 and Bf 109E-3, swept all before them during the opening wartime campaigns, their successes only fading at the Battle of France, when the Bf 109's seasoned pilots encountered modern and well-flown RAF and Armée de l'Air fighters. In a rigorous and engaging new analysis, Luftwaffe aviation expert Malcolm V. Lowe examines and assesses the Bf 109 as a fighting machine from the perspective of the Luftwaffe at the forefront of the German blitzkrieg. Contemporary photographs and specially commissioned artwork, including a dramatic battlescene, armament views, technical diagrams and ribbon diagrams illustrating step-by-step each battle tactic of the main dogfights explored in the book, bring the experiences of the Bf 109 pilots vividly to life.

Hitler’s Eagles

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Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1782003118
Total Pages : 401 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (82 download)

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Book Synopsis Hitler’s Eagles by : Chris McNab

Download or read book Hitler’s Eagles written by Chris McNab and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2012-11-20 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hitler's Eagles charts the turbulent history of the Luftwaffe from its earliest days to its downfall. At the beginning of World War II, the Luftwaffe was the world's most advanced air force. With superior tactics, aircraft and training, it cut through opposition air forces. Despite this auspicious beginning, by 1945 the Luftwaffe was a dying force. The Allies were destroying German aircraft at unequal rates, and Luftwaffe aviators were dying in their thousands in an unbalanced battle to save Germany from destruction. Once Hitler was in power, the Luftwaffe came out of the shadows and expanded under a massive rearmament programme, then embarked upon the war that would define its existence. As well as providing a detailed history of the Luftwaffe's combat experience, the book expands on its human and material aspects. Aces and commanders are profiled and aircraft are described both technologically and tactically. The book conveys all the drama of the Luftwaffe's existence with Osprey's famous aviation artwork bringing the story incomparably to life.

P-38 Lightning vs Bf 109

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Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1472859529
Total Pages : 81 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (728 download)

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Book Synopsis P-38 Lightning vs Bf 109 by : Edward M. Young

Download or read book P-38 Lightning vs Bf 109 written by Edward M. Young and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2023-11-23 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An exciting account of the aerial battles fought by the USAAF's P38 Lightnings and the Jagdflieger's Bf 109Gs for dominance over North Africa and the Mediterranean. USAAF fighter pilots experienced a baptism of fire when flying the technically advanced but fragile P-38 Lightning over North Africa in the wake of 1942's Operation Torch. Their opponents were battle-hardened jagdflieger of the Jadgwaffe, flying the tried and tested Bf 109 in its very lastest Gustav iteration. Responsible primarily for escorting USAAF bombers attacking Afrika Korps installations in Tunisia, the P-38 units in North Africa had to develop effective tactics to defend the bombers against Luftwaffe fighter attacks. For several months the Lightning squadrons had to also cope with shortages of aircraft and spare parts, steady losses and a lack of replacement pilots. To survive, American aviators had to learn quickly. While it is difficult to definitively attribute victories in air combat, in the air battles over Tunisia and later over Sicily and Italy, the claims made by Lightning pilots were comparable to Luftwaffe claims for P-38s destroyed. Edward M. Young turns his attention to the bitterly fought air war in North Africa and the Mediterranean in 1942–43. Using original archival sources, official records and first-hand accounts from both USAAF and Luftwaffe veterans, as well as newly commissioned artwork and 50 carefully selected photographs from official and personal archives, this book sees two of the most iconic piston-engined fighters of their era pitted head-to-head for control of the skies in a key theatre of World War II.

Aces of Jagdgeschwader 3 'Udet'

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1780963009
Total Pages : 157 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (89 download)

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Book Synopsis Aces of Jagdgeschwader 3 'Udet' by : John Weal

Download or read book Aces of Jagdgeschwader 3 'Udet' written by John Weal and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2013-11-20 with total page 157 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jagdgeschwader 3 may not have the same immediate resonance as some of the more famous Luftwaffe fighter units, such Jagdgeschwader 2 'Richthofen', but it is arguably the archetypal German fighter formation of World War 2. Not only did it participate in every campaign fought by the Luftwaffe (with the exceptions of Poland and Norway), it flew every major variant of the two legendary German wartime fighters, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 – starting with the Bf 109E in 1939 and ending with the Fw 190D-9 'Long-nose' in 1945. And, during the course of the hostilities, it numbered among its ranks more than 70 Knight's Cross winners (a total exceeded by only one other Jagdgeschwader). The wealth and variety of detail afforded by such a background – which includes the historic battles of Britain, Stalingrad, Kursk, Normandy, the Ardennes and Berlin – provides an ideal framework upon which to portray the multitude of stories, exploits and ultimate fates of the many aces themselves, from the now unknown trio who achieved their first five kills during the Blitzkrieg in France in the late spring/early summer of 1940 to the nearly two-dozen highly acclaimed and lauded 'centurions' who flew with JG 3.

Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front

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Author :
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN 13 : 1782005285
Total Pages : 154 pages
Book Rating : 4.7/5 (82 download)

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Book Synopsis Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front by : John Weal

Download or read book Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front written by John Weal and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2012-10-20 with total page 154 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The highest scoring aces of any aerial conflict were the Luftwaffe pilots involved in the bloody combats on the Russian Front. The most common fighter used by these pilots was the Bf 109, which was involved in the action from Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, through to the doomed Defence of the Reich in 1945. Units like JGs 5, 52 and 54 all flew the Messerschmitt fighter, progressing from Emil to Gustav variants. This volume includes all the high-scoring aces, and explains just how difficult a job the Jagdwaffe faced on the Russian Front, and how its experts achieved such overwhelming scores.

Luftwaffe in Colour: The Victory Years 1939–1942

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Author :
Publisher : Casemate
ISBN 13 : 1612004105
Total Pages : 161 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (12 download)

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Book Synopsis Luftwaffe in Colour: The Victory Years 1939–1942 by : Christophe Cony

Download or read book Luftwaffe in Colour: The Victory Years 1939–1942 written by Christophe Cony and published by Casemate. This book was released on 2016-10-31 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A photo-packed look at the men and machines of one of history’s legendary air forces. This remarkable work explores the Luftwaffe as it truly existed day-to-day, underneath the propaganda of their own regime and the stories of their enemies. In Hitler’s Germany, color photography was primarily co-opted for state purposes, such as the military publication Signal or the Luftwaffe’s own magazine, Der Adler. But a number of men had cameras of their own, and in this painstakingly acquired collection, we can witness true life on Germany’s airfields during the period of the Luftwaffe’s ascendancy. Not only do we see famous planes such as the Me-109, Ju-87, and He-111, but the wide variety of more obscure types with which the Germans began the war. The array of Arados, Dorniers, Heinkels—not to mention elegant four-engine Condors—that were initially employed in the war are here in plain sight and full color, providing not only an insight into WWII history but a model maker’s dream. Just as fascinating are the shots of the airmen themselves, along with their ground crews—full of confidence and cheer as they bested every other air force in Europe during these years, with the single exception of the RAF’s Fighter Command in late summer 1940. But that was no big stumbling block to the Luftwaffe, which had bigger fish to fry in Russia and North Africa the following year. “Both volumes [The Victory Years and From Glory to Defeat] are a fantastic addition to your aviation library. The reproduction quality is superb.” —War History Online