The German Aces Speak: World War II Through the Eyes of Four of the Luftwaffe's Most Important Commanders - Hardcover

Heaton, Colin; Lewis, Anne-Marie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 076034115X ISBN 13: 9780760341155

Publisher: Zenith Press, 2011

Synopsis

For the first time, four German WWII pilots share their side of the story. Few perspectives epitomize the sheer drama and sacrifice of combat more perfectly than those of the fighter pilots of World War II. As romanticized as any soldier in history, the WWII fighter pilot was viewed as larger than life: a dashing soul waging war amongst the clouds. In the sixty-five-plus years since the Allied victory, stories of these pilots’ heroics have never been in short supply. But what about their adversaries—the highly skilled German aviators who pushed the Allies to the very brink of defeat? Of all of the Luftwaffe’s fighter aces, the stories of Walter Krupinski, Adolf Galland, Eduard Neumann, and Wolfgang Falck shine particularly bright. In The German Aces Speak, for the first time in any book, these four prominent and influential Luftwaffe fighter pilots reminisce candidly about their service in World War II. Personally interviewed by author and military historian Colin Heaton, they bring the past to life as they tell their stories about the war, their battles, their lives, and, perhaps most importantly, how they felt about serving under the Nazi leadership of Hermann Göring and Adolf Hitler. From thrilling air battles to conflicts on the ground with their own commanders, the aces’ memories disclose a side of World War II that has gone largely unseen by the American public: the experience of the German pilot.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Walter Krupinski: 197 victories; Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves; German Cross in Gold; Wound Badge in GoldAdolf Galland: 104 victories; Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds; Spanish Cross in Gold with Diamonds; German Cross in GoldEduard Neumann: 13 victories; Iron Cross Second and First Class; Spanish Cross; German Cross in GoldWolfgang Falck: 8 victories; Knight’s Cross These four prominent and influential Luftwaffe fighter pilots reminisce candidly about their service in World War II in The German Aces Speak. Although all were decorated by the Third Reich for their exemplary performance, this is not to say they followed the Nazi Party without question—indeed, none of them were card-carrying National Socialists. Between their duty to serve their country in war and the erratic and immoral leadership of Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring, these men elected to follow their own code of honor in combat. Although true to their oaths as German warriors, in the end they felt they and their countrymen had been betrayed by Hitler and the Nazis. Colin Heaton personally interviewed these air combat leaders, aces all, gathering their unique perspective on World War II and the Nazi leadership. From thrilling air battles to battles on the ground with their own commanders, these stories bring the past to life in the aces’ own words.

From the Back Cover

I tried to bail out, but the canopy was jammed shut from enemy bullets. So I tried to stand in the cockpit, forcing the canopy open with my back as the plane screamed toward earth. . . . I finally opened it . . . and I almost cleared the 109 when my parachute harness on my back became entangled on the radio aerial just behind the cockpit. I fought it with everything I had as the fighter rolled over, inverted, and I could see the ground quite clearly. . . . I finally decided to relax and accept death. It was actually a very peaceful decision. There was not any stress or regret, just peace. As the slipstream continued to beat me against the fighter, which was now nose down and had rolled over again so I could see the sky, . . . I finally broke free, my parachute opening just before I hit the ground. I was bleeding from my head and arm, plus I had damaged my ankle on landing. I was taken to safety by some Frenchmen, who could just as easily have finished me off. They placed me in their horse-drawn cart and carried me to a nearby aid station. I was very grateful and I paid them for the taxi ride.—Adolf Galland

About this edition

• Publisher: Zenith Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 076034115X
• ISBN 13: 9780760341155
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368