Book Description
A tribute to one of the top fighter aces of the World War II, this new full length biography appears here in its first edition. Marseilles' wartime exploits are legendary with the 158 aerial victories, including 17 in one day. He was, and still is, considered by many of the Luftwaffe aces to be the premier fighter pilot of the Luftwaffe-all before the age of twenty-three. Also chronicled is the combat life of JG 27, Marseilles' unit, and the various personalities throughout the North African campaign.
, over 200 b/w photos, 8 1/2" x 11"
Customer Reviews:
Dynamite Biography!.......2007-06-05
Buy this book...you won't be disappointed! Schiffer Publications alone just about assures that the book will be a class act, and this one is no exception. Beautiful dust cover from artist Jerry Crandall. This is the first book I've read by Franz Kurowski, but it won't be the last. Translated beautifully by Don Cox with none of the awkwardness you sometimes encounter. I like pictures. I like a lot of pictures. I like pictures that aren't redundant from other books. This book covered all bases. There are more than enough pictures, even for me, to rest your eyes upon as you read this splendid book. I'm particularly impressed with the photographs taken of Marseille's crashed plane, as well as those of his body (which was tastefully handled). Marseille's childhood and early military career on quickly glossed over, but this has no impact on what we all buy the book for...to learn more of the greatest pilot and personality of the North African Campaign...The Star of Africa.
Good.......2007-05-26
I purchased this book after reading about other Fighter Aces and realised that the allied forces during WW2 never had Aces as good or as well known as Galland, Molders and Marseille. This book is easy to read gives family history, his first combat missions, transfer to Africa and his rise to become one of the Worlds Greatest Fighter Aces. The book doesn't just concentrate on Marseille shooting down planes but gives a balanced view including him being in constant trouble with his superiors, reputation as a bit of a bragger but his Commanding Officer saw this as insercurity he apparently even bedded a starlet of the time, the book gives an overall picture of the African campaign and how Marseilles Squadron fitted into the overall picture, has enough pictures to give the reader a feel of the African Campaign and the major players without turning into a picture book.
Good reading.......2007-01-05
I am pleased to have bought this book. It gives a detalied description of Marseille`s life. There are allsow nice pictures included in the book. The detailed history gives a clear picture of the fighting in the desert war.
genius air fighter.......2006-10-23
I have finished in three days. The book is excellent. Marseille left great impression to me not as only virtuoso air fighter but as a great human person as well. Maseille's great spirit is whole involved here. I can fully recommend to those who have not read this book yet.
Great book ,poorly organized dropping from five to three........2006-02-25
This could have been one of the best WW II books to come out. I have a collection of over 300 covering all wars from the civil war. I have read approx. 1500 more. This book has all the facts at hand, but the presentation lacked flow. The book had great pictures that helped to keep track of the events. The writer jumped around like a flea on a hot plate. I would love to see the life of one of the greatest fighter pilots of any war in a pocket book by a author like Tolliver, Alexander Mc Kee or Edwin P. Hoyt who can make the story flow. I waited many years to get this book so it was a great disappointment in its present form. Still its the best on the market for the life of the Star Of Africa. Less pictures of Marseille and more of the aircraft used in Africa would have helped also.
Average customer rating:
- Good Book, But Not Balanced
- Good reference work
- Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe
- Overblown and overpriced...
- A good book, but lacks criticism
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Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe (Schiffer Military/Aviation History)
Raymond F. Toliver , and
Trevor J. Constable
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0887409091 |
Book Description
The most successful fighter pilots of all time spring to vibrant life again in this revised and updated edition of the classic account of Germany's greatest aces in action. Ride into combat with such Luftwaffe luminaries as ace of aces Erich Hartmann, Gunther Rall, Gerhard Barkhorn and dozens of others as they provide first-hand accounts of the German fighter arm's epic battle for the skies over Europe, Africa, and Russia. Accurate pen portraits illuminate outstanding fighter leaders and tutor like Werner Molders, Adolph Galland, "Macky" Steinhoff and many more, who invested the Luftwaffe Fighter Arm with its characteristic spirit and vigor. Legendary air heros like Marseille, and mercurial "Star of Africa", are shown in hundreds of photos from German collections. Personal combat accounts appear against the backdrop of Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring, who undermined his own pilots. From early aerial ascendancy, followed by its triumphant assault on the Red Air Force, the Luftwaffe Fighter Arm was inexorably crushed by overwhelming Allied air power. Unquenchable courage, devotion to the defense of their country's civilians, and unmatched combat skills were of no avail. The great aces, even in Germany's revolutionary Me 262 jet fighter, could not win, yet they fought to the final hour in an unforgettable combat saga. All of it is here, exactly as it was lived by the German aces. This book is considered by surviving Luftwaffe aces to be their monument. Also included are data lists covering all known Luftwaffe aces, night fighter aces, jet aces, and tops & firsts., over 600 photographs, 8 1/2" x 11"
Customer Reviews:
Good Book, But Not Balanced.......2006-03-03
I've had this book for many years and re-read parts of it occasionally as it provides good biographic sketches of some of the Luftwaffe's great fighter pilots and a sense of what they experienced.
However, I agree with the other critics who have found the book to lack balance, and this lack of balance is a serious shortcoming to this work. The protagonists are presented in a very idealized manner, and there is very little recognition of the fact that they were fighting for one of the most detestable regimes in all of history. The authors express great indignation at the way many of the German pilots were treated in Soviet captivity both during and after the war, but there is scarcely a word on the subject of the abhorrent way Soviet POWs were treated by the Germans, and the millions of Soviet POWs who were killed or allowed to die from ill treatment. And I'm sure that not all of the Luftwaffe pilots were the "gallant knights" this book tries to depict them as being.
Good reference work.......2005-01-30
The book provides good stats on LW pilots, as well short articles on some of the most noteworthy ones. It would be a good tool as a guide with basic info on the fighter pilots, but the articles still do not provide complete bios. Definitely worth having for Luftwaffe aficionados.
Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe.......2004-03-10
Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe is slightly sycophantic at times, but nevertheless has stood for decades as the definitive and most thoroughly detailed guide to Germany's WWII fighter aces. Replete with fascinating tales of the pilots as well as scores of rare photographs, this classic book is HIGHLY recommended.
Overblown and overpriced..........2002-04-06
I was not very impressed with some aspects of this book. The authors seem to believe that every Luftwaffe experte was the perfect specimen of a man. In their efforts to romanticise these people, I believe they do the pilots and themselves an injustice. They have left many gaping holes in their research (which in one case they were silly enough to highlight) and although much of the book covers some rarely-seen aspects, I found it less-than satisfying. Whilst I accept that the authors knew some of the characters involved, I would have appreciated a rather more frank discussion. That makes it less than good value for money and not as much fun as Mike Spick's book on the same subject (though his is, of course, far less detailed and much cheaper).
A good book, but lacks criticism.......1999-06-02
This is a good review on the main Luftwaffe aces profiles, but I think the authors are to indulgent on the pilots personalities. Even great pilots like Galland are not perfect human beings, in this sense the authors don't look at less knowed passages of their biographies. However this book is fair comprehensive and worth the time and the money.
Book Description
HOW THE LUFTWAFFE FIGHTER ACES ACHIEVED THEIR SUCCESS
The Luftwaffe's leading fighter aces outscored their Allied counterparts astonishingly during World War II--so much so that when the records of these pilots (the Jagdflieger) first became available after the war they were greeted with disbelief. A single ace with a hundred victories might have been credible, but one hundred six aces each recorded one hundred victories or more, and the top scorer claimed three hundred fifty-two. However, postwar research proved that German shoot-down confirmations were given only after rigorous checking.
To discover the secret of the Luftwaffe pilots' success, aviation historian Mike Spick examines the exploits of Nazi Germany's most famous pilots, focusing on the methods and tactics of individual aces, examining the importance of machinery, training, climate, numbers, and theater of war, and using firsthand accounts to put the reader in the pilot's seat. This book is easily the best possible guide to how the German aces achieved such amazing results in battle.
Customer Reviews:
Good book with lots of information.......2007-05-22
As a fan of war history, specially aviation, I liked the book and information presented. Would recommended it.
I hated this book........2007-01-09
I really hated this book.In two different stints as a member of the Military Book Club it is the only book I ever sent back.
Good book, but..........2007-01-05
It is a very good book. I learned some interesting things, but I guess the subject is more deep. I found the book a little incomplete.
Informative and enjoyable.......2005-02-07
Excellent and detailed account of the Jagdflieger aces and the war which they fought in the skies over Europe. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about this incredible TRUE story.
ok book on the luftwaffe.......2003-06-17
I read this book a number of years ago. It gives a very general description of the jagdflieger in world war two. I re-read this book because I recently became interested in ww2 flight simulators. I was trying to gain some tactical insight. While the book does provide some insight, it falls short in this regard. Though a well reseached work with personal interviews from the legendary german aces: Hartmann, Rall ect. It does not break any new ground.
Book Description
Herr Norbert Hanning's wartime career makes for fascinating and highly informative reading on an aspect of the 1939-45 air war not often covered in the English language; primarily that of the campaign against the Soviet Union.
He was one of the midwar-generation Luftwaffe fighter pilots and began operations with JG 54 on the eastern (Leningrad) front in early 1943; initially flying Messerschmitt Bf 109s before transitioning to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. He became a Staffel CO and was credited with 42 victories, also serving with JV 44 (whose CO was Adolf Galland); he then returned to Germany towards the closing stages of the war to convert to Me 262 jet fighters.
Many and varied were his experiences in action against the rejuvenated Soviet Air Force in the east, and the powerful western Allies over the homeland during the final chaotic months of hostilities, which culminated in his captivity.
John Weal's skilful translation ensures that the fluid and descriptive style of the author is preserved. Thankfully, also, Norbert was a keen photographer who shot a profusion of images, all previously unpublished, many of which appear in this important book.
Customer Reviews:
Norbert Hannig.......2007-01-17
After reading this book I was left with an impression of the author as someone I would enjoy meeting. His story left me with a feeling that I got to know this guy and that he left me in a state of re-analysing my pre concieved ideas about the men and women who fought for Germany. The author was no different that our fathers and grandfathers who fought for the allies.
This book is an eye opener to everyday life in wartime Germany.
Luftwaffe Fighter ace.......2006-08-07
Pretty good. He did not talk about all of his air kills but went through his life too quickly. Book was too short.
Great reading!! A+++.......2005-03-31
This is a great book!!! I couldn't put it down once I picked it up. Mr. Hanning tells his story with great interest and zeale. I recommend this book to all aviation biography lovers, you will not be dissapointed!
SLIPPING THE SURLY BONDS OF EARTH INTO HELL - AND BACK AGAIN.......2005-01-11
Norbert Hannig's account of his experiences as a Luftwaffe `Jagdflieger' (fighter pilot) on the Eastern Front from 1943-45 provides an interesting insight into the experiences of one of the "mid-war" Luftwaffe pilots. From Hannig's days with the Jungvolk (a youth organization in Germany similar to the Boy Scouts - in contrast to the Hitler Youth) in 1940 to his flight training experiences and subsequent posting to the "Green Hearts" Fighter Wing in Russia, the book is easy to read. The narrative flows and is not at all boring. You get a sense of the man himself and the effects of the daily grind of operations over an ever changing front.
(John Weal, who translated Mr. Hannig's book, is in his own right an expert on the Luftwaffe fighter arm. Check out any of his books in the "Aircraft of the Aces" series, which are published by Osprey Publishing.)
For any reader who is keenly interested in reading about the lives of obscure Second World War aces, this book will make a welcome addition to your library. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Book Description
This book examines the reality behind the myths of the legendary German fighter aces of World War II. It explains why only a small minority of pilots - those in whom the desire for combat overrode everything - accounted for so large a proportion of the victories. It surveys the skills that a successful fighter pilot must have - a natural aptitude for flying, marksmanship, keen eyesight - and the way in which fighter tactics have developed. The book examines the history of the classic fighter aircraft that were flown, such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Focke Wulf Fw 190, and examines each type's characteristics, advantages and disadvantages in combat. The accounts of the experiences of fighter pilots are based on archival research, diaries, letters, published and unpublished memoirs and personal interviews with veterans. The pilots included are Werner Molders, Gunther Rall, Adolf Galland, Erich Hartmann and Johannes Steinhoff.
Book Description
Volume II covers: JG 53 Pik-As, JG 54 GrŸnherz, JG 77 Herz-As, JG 300, JG 301, JG 302 Wilde Sau, and JG 400., over 700 color and b/w photographs, 8 1/2" x 11"
Customer Reviews:
Excellent image bank from WWII Luftwaffe........2000-11-13
Excellent book. As its own title names: "A Chronicle in Photographs", this publication was not edited to be a technical book but work as an "image bank". The Volume 2 is a continuation of the first Volume, and covers the JGs 53, 54, 77, 300, 301, 302 and 400, plus several profiles with camouflage patterns and a complete Victory List of Luftwaffe pilots which respective rank and awards (this List was not published in the volume 1). As also occurred in the Volume 1, the major photographs were unpublished and of high quality. The color section features 15 good quality original WWII color photographs, including an excellent full page size image from Hans Philipp in front of his Bf 109 (this makes a good reference for both modelers and uniforms collectors). It is, without doubt, a very desirable publication and I strong recommend both Volumes to every Luftwaffe enthusiast.
Book Description
In 1939, The Luftwaffe was arguably the world's best-equipped and -trained air force. Its fighters were second to none, and their pilots had a tactical system superior to any other in the world. In campaigns over Poland, Norway, the Low Countries and France, they carried all before them. Only in the summer of 1940 did they fail by a narrow margin in achieving air superiority over England. In the West, with a mere holding force, they maintained an enviable killvloss ratio against the RAF, while elsewhere they swept through the Balkans, then decimated the numerically formidable Soviet Air Force. Their top scorers set marks in air combat that have never been surpassed. Yet within three years, and despite the introduction of the jet Me 262, the world's most advanced fighter, the Luftwaffe fighter arm, the Jagdwaffe, had been totally defeated. How did this happen? Air-warfare historian Mike Spick explores the question in depth. His most surprising conclusion is that the motivation of the Jagdwaffe was fundamentally flawed. The legend of Manfred von Richthofen, aka the Red Baron v the top-scoring pilot of World War I v which was promoted by Commander-in-Chief Hermann Goering to enhance his own image, became a paradigm. What mattered most to German fighter-pilots was a high victory score and decorations, at the expense of all else. The result was often an unseemly race for the top spot, which had a pernicious effect on the efficacy of German air combat. From the failings of High Command to the scores and decorations of individuals, Aces of the Reich is a compelling study of World War II's most fearsome air force and the skilled pilots who flew with it. Mike Spick's other works include Luftwaffe Fighter Aces and Luftwaffe Victorious.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent! I wish Mr Spick will produce a similar book for RAF and USAAF.......2007-05-08
This is a tremendous book for the Jagdwaffe fans! It is choked with details about the aces, their training, the fighters they flew and how they performed compared to those of the RAF, Red Air Force and USAAF, many diagrams and statistics and much much more! It probably demands from the reader to have a good background on World War II and Luftwaffe and it will seem somehow heavy in numbers and details to the casual readers, but it is an absolutely marvellous source for the dedicated students of aerial warfare who would like to compare calibers of weapons on fighters, the velocities and weights of various ammunition used (the 30 mm ammo of Me 262's Mk 108 was a class in itself!), the turn and climbing rates of Spitfires and Bf 109s, the command changes in the Jagdwaffe, and the fascinating stories of hundreds of its best pilots. I also appreciated that Mr Spick didn't hesitate to correct mistakes that he made in his earlier books, like the information that Herbert Rollwage was not Luftwaffe's top scorer against four-engined bombers with 44 victories but he amassed only 14. A highly recommended book!
Book Description
Volume I covers: JG 1 Oesau, JG 2 Richthofen, JG 3 Udet, JG 4, JG 5 Eismeer, JG 6 Horst Wessel, JG 7 Nowotny, JG 11, JG 26 Schlageter, JG 27, JV 44, JG 51 Mšlders, and JG 52., over 700 color and b/w photographs, 8 1/2" x 11"
Customer Reviews:
Both volumes are wonderful photo references.......1997-02-28
Both volumes are wonderful photo references (and updated from the original Kookabura issues) and contain the bulk of the existing photos of the aircraft of the Luftwaffe Aces. There's not a lot of text. If memory serves correctly, Vol 1 covers JG1-JG51 and Vol 2 covers JG52-JG300. Both are a must for the Jagdwaffe historian. Excellent reference for the aircraft model builder
Book Description
When the Luftwaffe entered World War 2, its nightfighter force was virtually nonexistent thanks to its leader, Reichmarschall Hermann Göring, who boasted that bombs would never fall on Germany. By mid-1940 his folly was evident; the first night fighter wing was hastily formed with Bf 110s. Initially capable of detecting targets by visual acquisition only, the force greatly improved its effectiveness with the creation of the 'Giant Würzburg' radar chain. By the end of 1942, the night fighter force controlled some 389 fighters and had destroyed 1,291 RAF bombers in that year alone. Complete with first-hand accounts and detailed colour illustrations, this book profiles the many variations of night fighters, and the men who made ace flying them.
Customer Reviews:
Another excellent book........2000-05-23
The aircraft of the aces series has been an excellent begining source of information. I beleive that there are better books covering each thing in more deapth. But as an introduction to each topic I have found none better. This book is on the nightfighters of the German Luftwaffe. Covering the aircraft briefly, but the focus of this series is the men who flew them. From it's humble beginings to the nightfighter force becoming a much needed group. If you have an interest in this area then this book is a good place to start. Great photos and colour plates of aircraft and pilots. A very good read.
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