Helmut Lent: The Lent Papers [Hardcover]

Peter Hinchliffe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 25, 2005

The life of this outstanding Luftwaffe personality and leading exponent of night fighter tactics, who was killed when his plane crashed in October 1944.

Helmut Lent was one of the outstanding personalities of the Luftwaffe during the Second Wrold War and, until his death in a flying accident in October 1944, the leading exponent of the night fighter tactics. Lent was the son of a pastor in the Evangelical church, and his two brothers were also clerics. He was deeply religious man and believed that he enjoyed Christ's protection in his combats with enemy aircraft. Lent entered the Luftwaffe in 1936 as an officer cadet and trainee pilot. His first operational unit was a heavy-fighter Gruppe equipped with the Bf 110 Zerstorer (Destroyer), and it was with this aircraft that he shot down his first victim. He had further victories over the German Bight and during the Norwegian campaign. Fate intervened, however, before Lent saw further daytime action as his Staffel was transferred to the newly-formed Nachjagd, the night-fighter force set up to combat the growing number of RAF bombers paying nightly visits to Germany. At first Lent did not feel at home in the Nachjagd, and after a short period without having achieved success against the British night bombers he applied to be allowed too return to daylight operations, but was persuaded by his Commanding Officer, Major Wolfgang Falck, now looked upon as the 'Father of the Nachjagd', to defer his application for a short time. This 'breathtaking space' had its effect and on May 12th, 1941, Lent shot down his first two RAF bombers. Other successes followed rapidly so that Lent came to identify completely with this new form of air defence, becoming iths leading exponent and tactician. By January 1943 his score of victories by night had increased to 50, and by June 1944 to 100. Not only an outstanding night-fighter pilot but also an inspirational leader of men and example to his subordinates, Lent achieved high rank and was the recipient of many decorations. At the time of his death he was Kommodoore of NJG 3, held the rank of Oberstlutnant and wore the Brillanten (Diamonds) to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, the first of only two night fighters ever to be awarded that high honour. At about mid-day on October 5th, 1944, Lent was flying a Ju 88 to Paderborn in order to visit his friend and comrade Hans-Joachim Jabs, Kommodore of NJG1: he crashed while attemptimg to land on one engine. All four men on board were critically injured, and all subsquently died of their injuries. Lent was the last to perish, dying in hospital two days after the accident. On several occasions during his life Lent found himself in conflict with the Gestapo because of his family's religious beliefs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Cerberus Publishing Ltd.; First edition (June 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841451053
• ISBN-13: 978-1841451053
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,394,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lent Papers - Review, August 26, 2005

By 

Carter H. Manierre - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Helmut Lent: The Lent Papers (Hardcover)

Peter Hinchliffe is one of my favorite authors. There are too few who have done the hard work necessary to present a fair and balanced view of selected members of the German armed forces of WW2, de-politicized. THE LENT PAPERS is typical of Peter's work, it gives you an "in the cockpit" assessment of the man who was, at the time, the top night-fighter pilot of the Nachtjagd. There is no long-winded, scholarly dissertation, just a straighforward biography. Great job Peter, great pilot, great book. Carter

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Look at a Luftwaffe Ace!, February 2, 2006

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Helmut Lent: The Lent Papers (Hardcover)

There haven't been many biographies of Luftwaffe experten published that can hold a candle to Peter Hinchliffe's book on Helmut Lent. Hinchliffe's research and insights make this book a must read.

By any standard, Helmut Lent was an exceptional young man. One of the Luftwaffe's top nightfighter aces, he was a wing commander at age 25 with decorations galore. Hinchliffe recounts with much detail the exploits that led to Lent's fame.

Yet Lent was also a devout Lutheran and it's fascinating to read of the run-ins Lent had with the Gestapo over his family's beliefs. Most biographies of experten relate that particular pilot's exploits but few venture into the areas Hinchliffe does. The result is a multi-dimensional portrait of what seemed like a decent, god-fearing man who, unfortunately, fought for the most evil empire ever to exist.

Hichliffe's text benefits from access to Lent family archival material and many first-person accounts from those who served with Lent. The text is complemented by dozens of rare photographs of Lent, his aircraft, comrades and opponents.

A fascinating read!

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars collectable /history, April 22, 2006

By 

Harry Rionero "wizardcatcher" (east islip, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Helmut Lent: The Lent Papers (Hardcover)

I bought this book back in 2003; it is a special limited edition with signatures of Lents' officers from which he served with. They are all hand- written in pen, with the author's signature as well.
I paid $100.for it and it was money well spent. Mr Hinchcliff was very thorough and made this piece of history intriguing, as well, as exciting; and I will keep this book with all of my other collectables.