Hunters from the sky: The German parachute corps, 1940-1945 [Hardcover]

Charles Whiting (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1974

After the first stunning victories of Germany's Parachute Corps, Churchill and other Allied leaders ordered the formation of their own paratroopers, copying the German model. The Red Devils, the Screaming Eagles, Les Paras and others based their equipment and reckless bravado on Germany's 'hunters from the sky,' a highly successful group of soldiers until 1941, when their huge losses during the invasion of Crete reduced their effectiveness in the eyes of Hitler's generals. Whiting tells the complete story of the Parachute Corps and their founder, General Kurt Student, who commanded the paratroopers on their initial victories in Europe, their Pyrrhic conquest of Greece, their mission to rescue Mussolini, and their last drop into Allied-surrounded territory.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Recommended for general readers interested in military history. (Library Journal )

Whiting adds a rarely written-about dimension to the body of material available on World War II. He presents a vivid , factual account of Nazi airborne tactics that should fascinate any armchair military strategist, former paratrooper, weekend parachutist, or lover of adventure stories. Whiting's special gift is his ability to carry the reader along... He can be simultaneously drmatic and objective. (Publishers Weekly )

As good an account as anyone will find. (Soldier ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Charles Whiting, popular World War II historian, is the author of over a dozen books. He lives in York, England. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 231 pages
• Publisher: Stein and Day (1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812816994
• ISBN-13: 978-0812816990
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,839,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most exelent read, October 31, 2002

By 

Cameron Craig (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hunters from the Sky: The German Parachute Corps, 1940-1945 (Paperback)

A very good book, depicting the trials and errrors of the German Fallschirmjager corps from 1940-'45. very detailed, true quotes from the unit commanders themselves. I highly reccomend if you're into german ww2 history.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!, January 25, 2010

By 

M. McConnell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hunters from the Sky: The German Parachute Corps, 1940-1945 (Paperback)

I first read this book in eighth grade, and have read my first copy to tatters. It doesn't matter which side you're rooting for in World War II (Allied, hopefully!), this book is an excellent read that keeps your attention to the very end. I would even put it on par with some of today's best fiction works, as this reads like a novel.

This book shows the creation of the Fallschirmjager Corps, as well as most of its famous actions. Everything from the surprisingly effective assault on Eben Emaul to the Pyrrhic victory on Crete to the later years as "Der Fuhrer's Fire Brigade." This book tells the gripping true story of the recapture of Benito Mussolini after his 'dethroning.' And to the history buff, it shows how much the British and American militaries borrowed from the Fallschirmjager Corps. All in all, this is an excellent book written by an amazing author about an outstanding Corps that would change the face of warfare for years to come.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent photographic history, December 7, 2011

By 

Deputy (Silver City, NM USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hunters from the Sky: The German Parachute Corps, 1940-1945 (Paperback)

A very high quality book (pages are all glossy enamel stock) of WW2 German paratroops. Pretty much every page has a photograph, some of them never before seen, so I classify it as a "photographic history". The written parts give a good account of Gemran paratroops in WW2. This is a large book and could easily be used as a "coffee table book" if so desired.