Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 37) [Paperback]

John Weal (Author), Iain Wyllie (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Aircraft of the Aces | Publication Date: May 25, 2001

The highest scoring aces of any aerial conflict were the Luftwaffe pilots involved in the bloody combats on the Russian Front. The most common fighter used by these pilots was the Bf 109, which was involved in the action from Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, through to the doomed Defence of the Reich in 1945. Units like JGs 5, 52 and 54 all flew the Messerschmitt fighter, progressing from Emil to Gustav variants. This volume includes all the high-scoring aces, and explains just how difficult a job the Jagdwaffe faced on the Russian Front, and how its experts achieved such overwhelming scores.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series combines full colour artwork, the best archival contemporary photography, and first hand accounts from aces to bring history's greatest airborne conflicts to life.

About the Author

Arguably the finest profile artist in the business, Joan Weal’s love of German aircraft makes his work a treat for students of the subject. He has written several Aces volumes, and two books on the JU 87 in the companion series Combat Aircraft.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (May 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841760846
• ISBN-13: 978-1841760841
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.3 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,015,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great book from Osprey about the BF 109 aces, July 26, 2001

By 

Catherine Hunt (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 37) (Paperback)

This book details the Units like JGs 51,52 and 54 which flew the Messerschmitt fighter from the "Emil" to the final "Gustav" variants in combat against the Soviets from the massive Russian slaughter in Barbarossa 1941 to the Defeat of the Third Reich in 1945. The book details the aces of Gunther Rall(275 kills), Gerhard Barkhorn(301 kills) and Erich Hartmann(352 Kills). Who all scored the bulk of their amazing tallyings against the Red Air Forces. The last of four volumes in the Aces series on the Messerschmitt BF 109 in Luftwaffe service, this title includes all the high-scoring aces, and explains how the pilots achieved such overwhelimng scores.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars short but sweet, September 25, 2003

By 

Brandon (Oakton, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 37) (Paperback)

Although a little expensive for a short book, it is well worth the price. This book isn't meant to be a definitive summary of the air war in Russia, but it is a wonderful introduction to WWII air combat on the eastern front. The book is packed with great photos (and descriptive captions), comprehensive ace statistics and beautiful illustrations of their actual planes. It is very balanced between giving an overall summary of the eastern front war and providing actual accounts of real German pilots. Naturally it is centered around the Bf-109 but it doesn't read like a list of statistics; it is well-written enough to read all the way through, captions and all. This is a perfect supplement for anyone interested the Luftwaffe, the Soviet-German war, or especially the Messerschmitt Bf-109. Everyone will learn something from this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Osprey's done it agian!, December 25, 2008

By 

Ira Kepford "Jolly Roger" (Springfield MO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bf 109 Aces of the Russian Front (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 37) (Paperback)

'Bf-109 aces of the Russian Front' is a truly wonderful book! With 82 pages of wonderful drawings and photos and information. I especially loved it when I saw Erich Hartmann (with 352 kills) and Gerhard Barkhorn (301 kills) in the book. I thought the information on these aces was fantastic! The color plates are well drawn, always a plus when modeling, (I wish I had read this book before I built a Bf-109 in 1/32 scale and could have done Erich's plane).
To read about the German pilots rack up almost unheard of scores while battling the deadly Russians is incredible. (If you want to experience some action for yourself, buy IL-2 Sturmovik PC game).
This book is a must have for me and my collection of other Osprey and encyclopedia books. I'd give this book 6 stars, but that's not going to happen. This is only my opinion, but I think you'll really like this book after reading it.
A truly great book! 5 stars all the way!