The Luftwaffe War Diaries is the definitive history of the German air force in World War II, from the blitzkrieg on Poland to the last desperate stand over Germanythe only account ever to come from a German source. Its masterfully organized chapters detail, summarize, and evaluate every important strategy and campaign. Cajus Bekker has drawn on official German archives and collections, the combat journals and personal papers of leading officers, and the collated Luftwaffe war diaries, none of which have been published outside Germany, as well as interviews with hundreds of former German airmen. The result is a critical examination of the Luftwaffes development and command against the vivid background of World War IIs greatest air battles. While the author does full justice to the performance of German airmen, he does not embellish it. Thus his chronicle of the deadly struggle of these men is anything but a heroic saga; the exploits of the other side are treated with equal justice. Heroes and villains are not described or eulogized hereonly men fighting a war that most of them did not want. With over 100 photographs, numerous maps, and a complete index of personalities, The Luftwaffe War Diaries brings into stunning focus for now and all time the ironic triumph and inevitable tragedy of war.
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Product Description
About the Author
Cajus Bekker is the author of a number of contemporary documentary studies, including "Hitler's Naval War "and "Eyes Through Night and Fog: The Story of Radar."
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First Sentence
It was August 25, 1939. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
It was August 25, 1939. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Since the end of WW II, it seems that occurred an epidemy of books written about the Luftwaffe, mainly by American / British writers, with bombastic titles like " Rise and Fall of The Luftwaffe", "History of the Luftwaffe"..etc... FOrget all about them. Cajus Bekker's book is the best ever written about the subject and comes from a remarkable neutral point of view, considering the fact the writer is a German. In only one volume, he sets up the reader in the real demands placed upon the Luftwaffe even before the War, and shows the way that the German publicity machine worked over their initial sucesses. HE also describes all kinds of combat squadrons, including bomber, dive-bombers and reccon, without talking only about the fighter pilots, differently from so many books. Great! A War Aviation fan must have this one!!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A very interesting book that offers excellent insight into the German strategy in all aspects of the Luftwaffe's battle's during WWII. This book cover's the whole spectrum of Luftwaffe units; from the classic fighter and bomber squadron's, to the Paratroop Division's, to the 88mm Flak units accompanying the Wehrmacht, to the Armored/Mechanized units like the Hermann Goring Division.
The Luftwaffe War Diaries is a well balanced book that discusses strategic planning of the war at the highest level, including production planning, but also has many highly interesting tales of personal heroism and gallantry.
A must read for any historian.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Along with General Adolf Galland's "The first and the last", this is indeed the best book about the Luftwaffe airwar. Each operation is described in detail and well illustrated with maps and diagrams. This is surely an excellent reference book for aviation historians and students.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By a flynn
Format:Paperback
I do not agree with author's defence of Rotterdam raid, but otherwsie this is first-class, even allowing for it dating from 1960s.
Each chapter is a solid and factually evidenced yet concise analysis of a campaign--and not only a narrative. The technological and organisational details are precise and (of course) accurate but not wearying. It is still the best single book on the subject of its length.
Presumably translated from German--if so VERY well--relaxed and fluent without being cheaply colloquial.
Definitely recommended.
Each chapter is a solid and factually evidenced yet concise analysis of a campaign--and not only a narrative. The technological and organisational details are precise and (of course) accurate but not wearying. It is still the best single book on the subject of its length.
Presumably translated from German--if so VERY well--relaxed and fluent without being cheaply colloquial.
Definitely recommended.
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