Customer Reviews

Bf 109 Aces of North Africa and the Mediterranean (Aircraft of the Aces)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have always had an interest in the luftwaffe in north africa, but have found information to be sketchy. until now. this book is excellent. the information is clear and interesting. the book is filled with amazing pictures from the region as well as color plates of the many different camo, and some color paintings of pilots. this book is an excellent introduction into the bf-109 aces who flew in the campaign. there may be more informative books out there. but this one is an excellent one to start with. if you have an interest in the campaign in the desert or the luftwaffe in general then give it a read.

While the entire Osprey series is excellent, I found this particular volume most helpful and entertaining. I build scale models, and the 109 is a favorite of mine. This volume contains many useful photos showing details often left out of manufactured kits, as well as ideas for dioramas. The color plates are in keeping with the Osprey tradition of excellence; moreover, while not an advertised benefit, the book contains many photos of Luftwaffe and Italian pilots and aircrews in the field. If you could only have one book covering the E through G-6 variants, this should be it.

Very uncommon for Osprey books are the number of wrong or misspelled German words.

Example: Eisenlaub it should be Eichenlaub denoting the Oak leaves to the knights cross

Thus 4 out of 5

This guy Jerry Scutts, along with John Weal, are without doubt the best writers of this sucessful series by Oxprey. (although the best book of all is "HURRICANE ACES", by editor Tony Holmes). In this book, we can follow Marseille, Neumann (never a top-shooter but a great leader)and others, evaluating his techniques and losses and difficulties in fighting against overwhelming enemy air superiority.

Flying in the desert from '41 until '43, the German fighter pilots scored heavily against the SAAF (South African Air Force) and RAF (Royal Air Force). The most successful pilot of them, Hans-Joachim Marseille, was truly a star. Scoring 17 kills in 1 day! Only bettered by Emil Lang with 18 in the Russian front. But the Allies produced better tactics and aircraft to meet the German Luftwaffe. Originally battling the old Hurricanes, then the P-40s, the Germans could easily outdo the planes in combat. But with the later mark Spitfires coming to Africa, the Germans had to battle a harder foe.
Eventually having to escape North Africa to Italy when the Allies landed in Operation `Torch', the Germans were pleased to have the Italians lend a hand (and protect their home land) in Italy, with such planes as the G.55, Mc.202/205s battling alongside the Bf-109s, the Germans held on at the MTO as long as they could. But with the Aliied landing of Sicily, then the surrender of Italy, the German units from Africa were now fighting in Germany.

The second book from Osprey, I found this book a worthy read. Jerry Scutts explains about the beginning of JG-27, then goes throughout the war of aces, places and planes. I liked the setup of this book. Pictures of the desert, aces and planes. Color plates of Bf-109s from the E class to the G, plus 6 pilot plates including, of course, Hans-Joachim Marseille.
There are 80 pages of facts I found very useful. There is 2 pages dedicated just to Marseille's record day! In all, I found this book well worth the cost.

I wish the author had done stories about the IV/JG-27 in Greece 1943. I heard the Group was successful against both the RAF Beaufighter attack aircraft and the American P-38 Lighting which provided fighter escort for the Beaufighters. Could have done some more success stories about Italian pilots flying the ME-109 against the Allies.

Like all ospery books, this is one is well worth the price. A must for all 109 fans.