Hans-Peter Dabrowski

The Luftwaffe's legendary Gigant (Giant) is covered in this large, detailed, and highly illustrated volume. Wherever the Messerschmitt Me 321 appeared at the front during World War II it produced tremendous astonishment. Most soldiers had never seen anything like it. The huge glider with a wingspan of fifty-five meters was towed by three Bf 110s, or a five-engined He 111Z. Such an aircraft could carry up to twenty-two metric tons of freight: fuel, ammunition, trucks, tanks, 100 fully equipped troops and more. Even the Me 323D version, powered by six radial engines, was capable of carrying thirteen metric tons of freight to the front - and was a juicy target for the enemy. In the Mediterranean theater, they were pitilessly chased from the air and bombed and strafed on the ground. Only one Transportgeschwader was equipped with the Me 323. Everything about the type was strictly secret - even the Gruppen equipped with the type knew little about each other.

This little known Heinkel fighter design was eventually canceled yet saw service in the Spanish Civil War.

Development and operations of the German Mistel aircraft were kept under the tightest security, in an era fraught with the chaotic turmoil of a losing war. Aside from the limited space available - which precludes a detailed account of this unusual variant of the air war - it should also be mentioned that the quality of the photographic material often leaves something to be desired. This concession, which should be considered the exception rather than the rule, is necessary in the interest of providing a good general overview.