Kirjahaku

From the Blitzkrieg to the defence of the Reich, the Luftwaffe saw action in many skies, from the Battle of Britain to the North African desert and the steppes of Russia. In this title Stedman provides a study of the uniforms, insignia and flying equipment of the German air force of World War II, covering both air and ground crew. A systematic survey of the whole range of orders of dress including flying clothing, flight equipment and survival aids - parachutes, life jackets and so forth - is also provided.

The Kampfflieger are relatively unknown within aviation circles, although many of them had careers as distinguished as those of their fighter-pilot counterparts. The men of the bomber crews did not enjoy the luxury of combat tours – they flew until they died or became unfit for combat duty. This book studies the attitudes, beliefs and motivation of the average crewman, following him through recruitment and training to experience on campaign in western Europe, Africa and the Russian front, detailing the exploits and trials of the famous Ju 87 'Stuka' dive-bomber crews and their own crucial part in Germany's war effort.

Over the years much has been written about Luftwaffe aces, but this book seeks to examine the lives of the ordinary men who took to the skies. These men all shared the same aggressive spirit, joy of action and the passion of a hunter. Rich with fascinating first-hand accounts exploring every step of the fighter pilot's career from his enlistment and intensive training to his exploits in the Battle of Britain and on the Eastern Front, this book is an invaluable insight into the life of a Luftwaffe fighter pilot.