The German Aces Speak: World War II Through the Eyes of Four of the Luftwaffe’s Most Important Commanders by Colin D. Heaton (Author), Anne-Marie Lewis (Author), Jon Guttman (Author, Foreword), Brig. Gen. Robin Olds USAF (Ret.) (Author), Oberleutnant Kurt Schulze (Author), Robin Olds USAF (Ret.) (Foreword), Kurt Schulze (Foreword) is an excellent account of the European air war from the German side.
Author and historian Colin D. Heaton personally interviewed Walter Krupinski, Adolf Galland, Eduard Neumann, and Wolfgang Falck. Krupinski was credited with 197 victories, Galland was shot down 4 times and credited with 104 victories, Neumann commanded JG27 in North Africa, and Falk helped create the German Night Fighters.
The book is not in narrative format, but rather the responses given during the interviews which helps give a feel for what the individuals were thinking and feeling. I am amazed at the high number of victories some of the German pilots had, in the hundreds especially those flying against the Russians on the Eastern Front.
It was also interesting to learn of the great dislike, perhaps disdain is a better word, that these men had for Hilter and Göring, the commander in chief of the Luftwaffe. The interviews cover in detail what has been called the Fighter Pilot’s Revolt, when they confronted Göring and demanded changes in the way the air war was being conducted. It was not received well by Göring…
It is a fascinating read/listen giving a perspective I had not heard before.
