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Bearfoot
Jul-18-2016, 12:28
As the title says, looking for some good-hunker-down-forget-the-outside-world-and-lose-myself reading that tells the story from the Luftwaffe side.

Either Battle of Britain, MTO, or Eastern Front.

Or all three.

I am aware of the famous Rudel book, and read it a while ago.

But anything from a fighter pilot?

Fiction more than welcome, but only if it is in the gritty Deighton "Bomber" vein.

Here are the collection of the suggestions coming out of the great minds and generosity of this community!

BOOKS

- "Galland" (Adolf Galland); https://www.amazon.com/First-Last-Ad.../dp/8087888928
- "The war diary of Helmut Lipfert. JG52 on the Russian front 1943-1945." (Werner Girbig and Helmut Lipfert); https://www.amazon.com/War-Diary-Hauptmann-Helmut-Lipfert/dp/0887404464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468879960&sr=8-1&keywords=The+war+diary+of+Helmut+Lipfert
- "The Luftwaffe Fighters' Battle of Britain: The Inside Story" (Chris Goss) https://www.amazon.com/Luftwaffe-Fig...+1940-may+1941
- "The German Aces Speak" (Colin Heaton and Anne-Marie Lewis) ; https://www.amazon.com/German-Aces-Speak-Luftwaffe-27s-Commanders/dp/076034115X
- "Spitfire on my Tail" (Ulrich Steinhilper) ; https://www.amazon.com/Spitfire-my-Tail-Ulrich-Steinhilper/dp/1872836003
- "The Luftwaffe War Diaries" (Cajus Bekker); https://www.amazon.com/Luftwaffe-War-Diaries-German-Reprint/dp/0306806045
- "Messerschmitts Over Sicily: Diary of a Luftwaffe Fighter Commander" (Johannes Steinhoff) https://www.amazon.com/Messerschmitts-Over-Sicily-Luftwaffe-Commander/dp/0811731596
- "The Final Hours" (Johannes Steinhoff) https://www.amazon.com/Final-Hours-Luftwaffe-Aviation-Classics/dp/1574888633?ie=UTF8&ref_=asap_bc
- "Luftwaffe Fighter Ace: From the Eastern Front to the Defense of the Homeland" (Norbert Hanning) https://www.amazon.com/Luftwaffe-Fighter-Ace-Homeland-Stackpole/dp/0811735931/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468913168&sr=1-1&keywords=Norbert+Hanning
- "Mein Flugbuch: Erinnerungen 1938-2004" (Gunther Rall) https://www.amazon.com/Mein-Flugbuch-Erinnerungen-Gunther-Rall/dp/3980793532
- "Walter Krupinski: Jagdflieger, Geheimagent, General" (Kurt Braatz and Jörg Kuebart) https://www.amazon.de/Walter-Krupinski-Jagdflieger-Geheimagent-General/dp/3981161556
- "Feindberührung: Erinnerungen 1939-1945" (von Kurt Braatz, Julius Meimberg, Jörg Kuebart) https://www.amazon.de/Feindber%C3%BChrung-Erinnerungen-1939-1945-Kurt-Braatz/dp/3980793516
- "Betrayed skies: A novel" (Rudolf Braunburg) https://www.amazon.com/Betrayed-skies-novel-Rudolf-Braunburg/dp/0385151837/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1468913466&sr=8-2&keywords=betrayed+skies
- "Kampfflieger Zwischen Eismeer Und Sahara..In Meinem Fall:Ju 88" (Peter Stahl); https://www.amazon.com/Kampfflieger-Zwischen-Eismeer-Sahara-Meinem/dp/B000W3DTIA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468944878&sr=8-1
- "Überlebenschance gleich Null: Vom sinnlosen Sterben der Torpedoflieger" (Diemer Bodo); https://www.amazon.de/%C3%9Cberlebenschance-gleich-Null-sinnlosen-Torpedoflieger/dp/3869330422/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468917901&sr=1-1
- "Jane's Battles with the Luftwaffe: The Bomber Campaign Against Germany 1942-45 (Theo Boiten and Martin W. Bowman)"; https://www.amazon.com/Janes-Battles.../dp/B00C0251K0
- "The Easter Bunnies: Long-distance Reconnaissance by the German Luftwaffe over Poland, France, England and the Atlantic 1938-1945" (Wendy von Well and Roman Gastager); https://www.amazon.com/Easter-Bunnies-Long-distance-Reconnaissance-Luftwaffe/dp/1412095247
- "I Flew for the Fuhrer" (Heinze Knoke); https://www.amazon.com/Flew-Fuhrer-Greenhill-Military-Paperback/dp/1853672637
- "The Star of Africa: The Story of Hans Marseille, the Rogue Luftwaffe Ace Who Dominated the WWII Skies" (Colin D. Heaton and Anne-Marie Lewis) https://www.amazon.com/Star-Africa-Marseille-Luftwaffe-Dominated/dp/0760343934
- "German Fighter Ace Hans-Joachim Marseille: The Life Story of the Star of Africa (Franz Kurowski)" https://www.amazon.com/German-Fighter-Ace-Hans-Joachim-Marseille/dp/0887405177/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468944749&sr=1-1
- "Horrido! Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe" (Col. Raymond F. Toliver and Trevor J. Constable) https://www.amazon.com/Horrido-Fighter-Luftwaffe-Raymond-Toliver/dp/0553126636/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468944780&sr=1-1
- "Bloody Biscay: the History of V Gruppe/Kampfgeschwader 40" (Chris Gross) https://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Biscay-History-Kampfgeschwader-Revised/dp/0947554874
- "A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II" (Adam Makos and Larry Alexander); https://www.amazon.com/Higher-Call-Incredible-Chivalry-War-Torn/dp/0425255735
- "Duel Under The Stars" (Wilhelm Johnen) https://www.amazon.com/Duel-Under-Stars-German-Fighter/dp/0947554424
- "Hitler's Eagles" (Chris McNab) https://www.amazon.com/Hitlers-Eagles-Luftwaffe-1933-45-Military/dp/1780962835/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469203905&sr=1-1&keywords=hitlers+eagles


VIDEOS

- Johanes Steinhoff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUah-VfpWP4
- Stuka Pilot Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1X21-pUQsw&list=PL00A506FAE3B4225E
- Hans-Joachim Marseille movie, "The Star of Africa": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAUVgjT8R6M
- Gunther Rall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pep9DD3d79c, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GivL6_LEh5U, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmRfBsaUN8o

Vlerkies
Jul-18-2016, 14:06
Galland

https://www.amazon.com/First-Last-Adolf-Galland/dp/8087888928


Known for more than once going head to head with Goering's less than realistic view of things.

9./JG52_Meyer
Jul-18-2016, 14:17
The war diary of Helmut Lipfert
JG52 on the Russian front 1943-1945.

I have yet to read one better

Hals und beinbruch

RAF74_Buzzsaw
Jul-18-2016, 14:47
I mentioned a book by Chris Goss when you were having the discussion with me in the other thread.

Besides that:

"The German Aces Speak"

by Colin Heaton and Anne-Marie Lewis

This is four interviews with high ranking or high scoring German Pilots, including Krupinski who scored 197 kills.

"Spitfire on my Tail"

by Ulrich Steinhilper

This is a book by a low ranking, low scoring ordinary Jagdflieger, tells clearly the challenges the Luftwaffe fighters faced in the BoB.

I'll try to get some others when I have time.

Rall451
Jul-18-2016, 17:15
The Luftwaffe War Diaries by Cajus Bekker is hard to beat, available on Amazon.

Bearfoot
Jul-18-2016, 18:10
I mentioned a book by Chris Goss when you were having the discussion with me in the other thread.

Besides that:

"The German Aces Speak"

by Colin Heaton and Anne-Marie Lewis

This is four interviews with high ranking or high scoring German Pilots, including Krupinski who scored 197 kills.

"Spitfire on my Tail"

by Ulrich Steinhilper

This is a book by a low ranking, low scoring ordinary Jagdflieger, tells clearly the challenges the Luftwaffe fighters faced in the BoB.

I'll try to get some others when I have time.

Thanks, Buzzsaw.

Yes, The Luftwaffe Fighters' Battle of Britain: The Inside Story (https://www.amazon.com/Luftwaffe-Fighters-Battle-Britain/dp/0947554815/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468879447&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=The+Luftwaffe+Fighters%27+Battle+of+Brita in%3A+The+Inside+Story+November+1940-may+1941) is definitely on the list.

Will be adding the others, as well (thanks, all!).

In fact, I think I am going to edit the initial post so all the great suggestions can be collected in one place.

What would be nice is the "Das Boot" of the Luftwaffe. Or, better yet, the "To the Limit" (Vietnam helicopter operations) of the Luftwaffe. Something that goes into the nuts-and-bolts details of such-and-such lever pushed to set the such-and-such propeller pitch, descriptions of day-to-day life (food, accommodations) as well as flying and fighting in the skies ...

RAF74_Buzzsaw
Jul-18-2016, 19:03
Here's another couple well known ones by a senior Luftwaffe Ace who flew both in the East and in the West.

Johannes Steinhoff was one of the Luftwaffe's leading scorers in the East and senior combat pilots at 150 kills when he was transferred to the West in March of 1943 to command JG77.

Unfortunately as he discovered, the opponents there were of a much higher caliber than over the Soviet Union, and he was shot down and injured only a weeks later by Spitfires.

"Messerschmitts Over Sicily: Diary of a Luftwaffe Fighter Commander" by Johannes Steinhoff is his account of that experience.

After his recovery, he went on to further combat over Germany, including 'Operation Bodenplatte', and a part in the Fighter Pilot's rebellion against Goring. He was then transferred to JV44, and flew jets till he was involved in a takeoff accident and suffered severe burns, including to his face. He ended with 176 kills.

"The Final Hours" by Johannes Steinhoff is his account of the last period of the war.

He went on to serve in the Federal German Republics Airforce after the war.

HaJa
Jul-18-2016, 23:54
I recommend Mein Flugbuch: Erinnerungen 1938-2004 about Günther Rall.

1lokos
Jul-19-2016, 00:21
Norbert Hanning book is a good read, tell their history since the air gliders club in pre-war times.

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/15584-free-pdf-luftwaffe-fighter-ace-norbert-hannig/#entry248222

DerDa
Jul-19-2016, 02:24
It very much depends, wether you can read German.
If so, as HaJa suggested the Rall book is an excellent read.
Günther Rall, Mein Flugbuch. Erinnerungen 1938-2004. Kurt Braatz (ed.) Neunundzwanzigsechs Verlag, 2004
Also all the others from 29/6 as for example:
Kurt Braatz, Walter Krupinski. Jagdflieger, Geheimagent, General. Neunundzwanzigsechs Verlag, 2010
Julius Meimberg, Feindberührung. Erinnerungen 1939-1945. Kurt Braatz (ed.) Neunundzwanzigsechs Verlag, 2002
(one of my favourites)

If you are looking for well written, well informed fiction I can recommend:
Rudolf Braunburg, Der verratene Himmel, Franz Schneekluth Verlag, 1978
(I just found out that an english version exists: http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10001212? )

It is semi-autobiographic. Braunburg was a young fighter pilot towards the end of the war. No hero stories but you get a sense sheer horror badly trained youngsters had to face.

A rather well known (because translated into English pretty early) book is: Günther Bloemertz, Heaven next stop
I cannot recommend it. The author claimed that it is based on his own real experience, but any information is extremely vague and the whole thing seems pretty fishy. Didn´t like the style either.


Regards

DerDa

Bearfoot
Jul-19-2016, 03:32
Thanks for the new recommendations, all. Added to the growing list!

HenryLuebberstedt
Jul-19-2016, 05:01
Diary of Peter Stahl about his missions between the Channel, Eastern front an Mediterranean Sea. (Junkers Ju 88 A-1 and A-4). Thrilling! But in german only :-/
https://www.amazon.de/Kampfflieger-zwischen-Eismeer-Sahara-Stahl/dp/3879432538

Ueberlebenschance gleich Null! Luftwaffe Torpedo Bombers (Zero chance to survive!)
https://www.amazon.de/%C3%9Cberlebenschance-gleich-Null-sinnlosen-Torpedoflieger/dp/3869330422/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468917901&sr=1-1&keywords=%C3%BCberlebenschance+gleich+null

Bodo Diemer was a Luftwaffe torpedo bomber pilot and flew combat sorties against Allied convoys in the Med, against the D-Day invasion fleet in the Channel and against the Murmansk convoys in the Artic Sea. The torpedo bomber Gruppen of the Luftwaffe sustained some of the heaviest losses of any Luftwaffe units – out of 40 crews he knew personally, only 3, including his own, survived, hence the title of the book which roughly translates to ".. Survival chances - nil..." (http://falkeeins.blogspot.de/2010/12/uberlebenschance-gleich-null-kg-77.html)


https://www.amazon.com/Janes-Battles-Luftwaffe-Campaign-Against/dp/B00C0251K0
This collection and analysis of first-hand accounts from World War 11 veteran aircrew offers a fresh look at the day air war that raged over Europe from 1942 to 1945. it retraces not only the course of events of the war years as experienced by both Allied and Axis pilots, but also offers vivid descriptions of weaponry, aircraft and tactical developments during the extensive bombing campaign against Germany.

And: Not a book, but also first hand history:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1X21-pUQsw&list=PL00A506FAE3B4225E
Very long interview with Heinz-Georg Wilhelm Migeod, BoB- Stuka-Pilot

DerDa
Jul-19-2016, 06:24
I just found this one

https://www.amazon.de/Das-vergessene-As-Jagdflieger-Barkhorn/dp/3941437224/ref=pd_sim_sbs_14_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=512KZb8l%2BSL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&psc=1&refRID=ZKTBRM0G72MGF1ZB85MV

In German and English. No idea whether it is any good.

ATAG_Ezzie
Jul-19-2016, 07:21
If looking for something a bit different.

The Easter Bunnies - https://www.amazon.com/Easter-Bunnies-Long-distance-Reconnaissance-Luftwaffe/dp/1412095247

Ezzie

ATAG_Marlow
Jul-19-2016, 07:30
Hi Bearfoot

Have you heard of: 'I Flew for the Fuhrer' by Heinz Knoke?

Ask any of the guys on the server who fly blue and they will probably gasp and say: 'One of my heroes...he wrote a heart rending book describing the Luftwaffe's hopeless battle against ever increasing odds, ending in a cataclysmic last struggle!'

I read this book many years ago (when I was young) after reading many books based on the British Aces: Bader, Richey, Tuck, Sailor Malan, etc.... it made a huge impression on me because it made me realise that the German pilots were 'just like us'...... all good men caught up in a bad war! It really does give the pilot's view that I think you're looking for.

I hope you find a copy (shouldn't be too difficult) and have a 'blinding' summer lost in it's pages! Salute! :thumbsup:

Vlerkies
Jul-19-2016, 12:03
A clip from a Steinhoff doccy


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUah-VfpWP4

Bearfoot
Jul-19-2016, 12:28
Updated the list with everyone's recommendations again!

Also, I added a couple of my own, on Hans-Joachim Marseille:


- "The Star of Africa: The Story of Hans Marseille, the Rogue Luftwaffe Ace Who Dominated the WWII Skies" (Colin D. Heaton and Anne-Marie Lewis) https://www.amazon.com/Star-Africa-Marseille-Luftwaffe-Dominated/dp/0760343934
- "German Fighter Ace Hans-Joachim Marseille: The Life Story of the Star of Africa (Franz Kurowski)" https://www.amazon.com/German-Fighter-Ace-Hans-Joachim-Marseille/dp/0887405177/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468944749&sr=1-1

And, as it turns out, the 1957(?) biopic movie on him is available online:

- Hans-Joachim Marseille movie, "The Star of Africa": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAUVgjT8R6M

Gromit
Jul-20-2016, 09:55
Bloody Biscay, ISBN0-947554-87-4 by Chris Goss.

The history of V/KG40 in it's battles over the bat with the RAF and USAAF.

IIJG27Rich
Jul-20-2016, 16:11
A Higher Call

DerDa
Jul-20-2016, 16:29
If videos are included now, here some interviews with Günther Rall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pep9DD3d79c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GivL6_LEh5U

And the famous 'Shorty, where is my thumb?'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmRfBsaUN8o

I remember a pretty long documentation of 4 or 5 parts on youtube, including interviews with Rall, Krupinski and others, but I cannot find it.
I will keep looking.

ATAG_Ezzie
Jul-21-2016, 04:06
I posted this in another thread but seeing this is collating a bunch of Luftwaffe books I'll repost.

One of my all time favourites is Duel Under The Stars - https://www.amazon.com/Duel-Under-Stars-German-Fighter/dp/0947554424

The night war over Germany and Occupied Europe is very interesting from a range of perspectives (technical, intelligence, human interest etc) and this book is one of a few I have on the topic covering both sides.

Ezzie

ATAG_Ezzie
Jul-21-2016, 04:10
Bloody Biscay, ISBN0-947554-87-4 by Chris Goss.

The history of V/KG40 in it's battles over the bat with the RAF and USAAF.

+1. I've got almost all of Mr Goss' books and rate them very highly. Luftwaffe fighter bombers over England is another one of his about a seldom told part of the fighter war in the west.

Ezzie

heinzknocke
Sep-11-2016, 12:00
I would like to recommend PRINCES OF DARKNESS by CLAIRE KNOTT its the story of the lives of LUTWAFFE NIGHT FIGHTER ACES Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weissenfeld good story and lots of photos.I would also highly recommend STORMBIRD by HERMANN BUCHNER one of the Luftwaffe's highest scoring Me262 aces

Thanks

Heinz

TWC_SLAG
Sep-11-2016, 16:06
I would like to recommend PRINCES OF DARKNESS by CLAIRE KNOTT its the story of the lives of LUTWAFFE NIGHT FIGHTER ACES Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weissenfeld good story and lots of photos.I would also highly recommend STORMBIRD by HERMANN BUCHNER one of the Luftwaffe's highest scoring Me262 aces

Thanks

Heinz

Heinz,

You will have to loan me the money to buy Princes of Darkness. It's too rich for me, although I dearly love the nightfighters. $145 at Amazon.

How about it? I'm good for it. :)