Flugzeuge (2. WK) - Deutschland: Bücher - Luftwaffe (1/4)

Phoenix - A Complete History of the Luftwaffe 1918-1945 (Volume 1) - The Phoenix is Reborn 1918-1934

The Phoenix Project presents an exhaustive historical account of the German Luftwaffe during World War II, meticulously researched over four decades. Beyond recounting famous air battles, this work extensively utilizes original documents, secondary sources, and contemporary accounts to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Luftwaffe's multifaceted operations.

Covering all theaters of the war, the project particularly underscores the Luftwaffe's critical role in the Eastern Front, an arena of paramount importance for the Wehrmacht. The narrative places Luftwaffe activities within the broader context of military operations, restoring its relevance in the larger European conflict.

Volume 1, "The Phoenix Reborn," sheds light on the overlooked period from the post-war Reichswehr to the unveiling of the Luftwaffe in 1935. It delves into the development of the distinct German concept of "operativer Luftkrieg," the covert air staff's efforts, and the roles played by the German Transport Ministry and the Flight Centre Lipetsk in aircraft development and aviator training. This volume reveals how Goring and Hitler inherited a pre-existing air arm, the result of 15 years of clandestine military professionalism.

Phoenix - A Complete History of the Luftwaffe 1918-1945 (Volume 2) : The Genesis of Air Power 1935-1937

Based on forty years of detailed research, Phoenix - A Complete History of the Luftwaffe 1918-1945 is a unique history of the wartime German Luftwaffe. Going far beyond a simple description of famous air battles and operations, the overall work draws extensively on original documents, secondary sources and contemporary accounts to place the Luftwaffe within its proper historical context.

Volume 2: The Phoenix Matures 1935-1937 covers a still neglected area, namely the early years of post-Reichswehr development from March 1935. During this period the concept of operativer Luftkrieg was formalised, operational commands established, new units and bases created, new equipment introduced and the training of personnel expanded.
Key studies include: the formation of the Flakartillerie, the Luftwaffe General Staff, Luftwaffe uniforms, the construction programme of 1935-39, the development and production of new combat aircraft and weapons, flying training, the Luftwaffen-Reserve, the supply organisation, the development of the Regiment General Goring and the re-militarisation of the Rhineland.

In addition the Luftwaffe's involvement in Spain is considered in depth from initial operations by the German volunteers to the deployment of the Legion Condor in the battles around Madrid and on the Northern Front.

The Luftwaffe : A Complete History, 1933-45

For long after the Second World War, the enduring popular image of the Luftwaffe was that of the howling, diving Ju 87 Stuka - a symbol of the impressive, fearsome and aggressive art of Hitler's Blitzkrieg; of mighty air power.
The Luftwaffe which emerged in 1933 made Europe tremble but it was a giant whose feet were made of clay. Against weaker nations the Luftwaffe triumphed in many early theatres of the war - in Spain, Poland, France, the Low Countries and the Balkans; but the weaknesses of its leadership and industrial base soon became apparent during the Battle of Britain.

After brief triumphs in the Mediterranean, the Luftwaffe reluctantly turned eastward, but the crusade against Bolshevism quickly exposed yet more fragility - in aircraft, strength and logistics - and, as the Germans began to retreat, the Luftwaffe came under threat on all fronts.
In its final year, from May 1944, the Luftwaffe was a spent force, capable only of Tactical air missions, or in desperate defence of the threatened homeland, albeit with very advanced aircraft, such as the jet-powered Me 262.

This scholarly history provides detailed insights into the dramatic rise and fall of Hitler's airforce, at one time the most formidable ever. It examines the issue of leadership and the personalities which were responsible for the victories and the failures.
There is detailed analysis of the campaigns in which the Luftwaffe fought, with fresh perspectives on the Battle of Britain, the air defence of Germany and much new material about the air war on the Eastern Front and anti-shipping campaigns.
"Luftwaffe - A Study in Air Power" is based on exhaustive research conducted in archives around the world. It provides an insightful and radical reassessment of the Luftwaffe and forms an essential reference work.

The Luftwaffe: A History

John Killen's exhaustive work is a study of German air power between 1915 and 1945, from the early days of flying when Immelmann, Boelke, Richtofen and other First World War aces fought and died to give Germany air supremacy, to the nightmare existence of the Luftwaffe as the Third Reich plunged headlong to destruction.

Here are the aircraft: the frail biplanes and triplanes of the Kaiser's war; the great Lufthansa aircraft and airships of the turbulent Thirties; the monoplanes designed to help Hitler in his conquest of Europe.
Here are the generals who forged the air weapon of the Luftwaffe - the swaggering Goering, the playboy Udet, the ebullient Kesselring and the scapegoat Jeschonnek; here, too, are the pilots who tried to keep faith with their Fatherland despite overwhelming odds; Adolf Galland, Werner Molders, Joachim Marseille and Hanna Reitsch.

Not least are the actions fought by the Luftwaffe from the Spanish Civil War to the Battle of Britain, through the bloody struggle for Crete and the siege of Stalingrad to the fearful twilight over Berlin.

Legion Condor 1936-1939 - A History of the Luftwaffe in the Spanish Civil War 1936-1939

Long out-of-print this study is one of the few books dedicated to the history of the infamous Legion Condor, the German volunteer unit that fought with pro-Franco forces during the Spanish Civil War from 1936-1939.
Many of the tactics and strategies of the Luftwaffe were first formulated and used during operations in Spain. Also, various aircraft were tested and used, such as the famous Ju 87, Do 17, He 111 and Bf 109 - all stalwarts of the later Luftwaffe during World War II.
Many Luftwaffe pilots received combat training in Spain; Werner Molders and Adolf Galland first earned their wings as members of the Legion Condor.

Renowned Luftwaffe experts Karl Ries and Hans Ring have brought together over 480 photographs, including aerial reconnaissance photos, detailed unit insignia, and action shots.
The history of the Legion Condor is discussed in great detail, including the many personalities, thorough battle analysis, and technical aspects of the weaponry. The result is a superb historical study of the early Luftwaffe.