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The air war on the Eastern front
during WWII was the largest and longest in history but also one
of the least written about. These two books are the first in a
series that will try to extensively account what happened from
the perspectives of both sides. With the opening of the Soviets'
records since the fall of the USSR, these books also will
include much "new" information not available until
recently.
These two books are items I
originally got to help in developing campaigns for my IL-2
Sturmovik computer game (…again this game intrudes into my #1
hobby) but they lend themselves very well as references for the
modeling hobby as well… at least that's what I'm saying to
justify my purchase of them…
Volume 1 covers the conflict from
June through December of 1941, Operation Barbarossa. It's 255
pages long with an additional 30+ pages of appendices, maps,
forwards, glossaries. It has on nearly every page black &
white pictures showing the various aircraft and the pilots who
flew them with very descriptive captions. The book begins with a
few chapters of background and comparison of the Soviet and
German air training/doctrine/equipment and the state of both
services leading up to the German invasion of Russia.
The conflict history is told
chronologically along the three basic fronts (Northern, Central,
Southern) of the German invasion, so it does hop around a good
bit (that's a lot of ground to cover!!). It's told mostly in a
general overview covering the key happenings on that front,
interspersed with the personal stories of certain figures for
both sides during that time frame. Sometimes the accounts of the
events are in the own words of the combatant. Performance of the
various aircraft is also covered showing the positive and
negative aspects of each service's readiness and tactics.
The book's cover price is $39.95
but it is now out of print, so the price has increased to $75.00
and it can be difficult to locate. I found mine through
Amazon.com, which connected me to a third party seller
(ironically, I paid less for a new copy than what was being
asked for a used copy).
Volume 2 covers the conflict from
December 1941 through June 1942. It's 212 pages long with
another 20+ pages of appendices, maps, forwards glossaries.
Again, there are black & white pictures on nearly every page
with the very welcome addition of several full-page color
profiles of the various types of planes used by both sides. The
maps are also color in this volume. The format appears to be the
same as described above in regards to the text (I've not read
this book as of yet, still reading #1) with a chronological
overview type history interspersed with the personal stories of
key figures.
The book's cover price was $39.95
but Amazon.com had it for only $27.97.
Volume 3 is supposed to be
released this fall sometime…
I highly recommend these books as
a must read for the individual who is interested in the air war
on the Eastern front during WWII. Most of the histories on this
front have covered the land war, with its epic tank battles and
severe human suffering, while only making scant mention of the
battle in the air. But the air war was huge too with large loss
of life and great battles, fought by brave men, which often
ruled the outcome of the land battles below. I feel these books
give equal consideration to both sides without favoring one
political view over another, while accurately reporting the
history of this tragic conflict.
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