Jagdgeschwader 7 "Nowotny" (Aviation Elite Units) (Paperback)

by Robert Forsyth (Author), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Author Robert Forsyth has put together a superb book that covers the full story of this jet unit, from its beginnings until the end of the war ... another superlative publication from a publisher we have come to trust for accuracy and a good read..." -Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (October 2008)

Product Description
When the revolutionary Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter first appeared in the skies over northwest Europe in mid-1944, it represented the greatest challenge to Allied air superiority since the Battle of Britain. The first group to solely fly jet fighters, Jagdgeschwader 7 was formed out of the test unit Kommando Nowotny, and was tasked with taking back command of the skies. Put almost immediately into action, despite fuel shortages, poor training and problems with the jet engine, victories quickly followed against both US and British aircraft, including at least one Mosquito.

By the end of the war, the Jagdgeschwader had claimed nearly 200 enemy aircraft destroyed in daylight bomber raids during 1945. Fighter aces and those who became jet aces with JG 7 included Heinrich Ehrler (201 victories), Ernst-Wilhelm Reinert (174 victories) and Hans Waldmann (132 victories). This book follows the history of the revolutionary JG 7 unit, examining how their courage, determination and the most advanced aircraft in the world were simply not enough to ensure victory. In the final section of the book Robert Forsyth details how JG 7 eventually became ground down by losses, restricted operating conditions, lack of fuel and overwhelming Allied fighter strength, culminating in final surrender in May 1945, but not without scoring some of the final aerial victories of World War 2.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (October 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846033209
• ISBN-13: 978-1846033209
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #445,812 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent Luftwaffe title from Robert Forsyth, November 26, 2008

By	N. Page (Kent, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Following on from his recent excellent JV 44 book, this is a second Osprey Elite volume from Robert Forsyth, author, historian & driving force behind the leading Luftwaffe publishing house, Classic Publications. Having worked with him on some of his titles I know Robert well. In fact while Robert initially had doubts about producing these titles for Osprey, I urged him -over a pint- to take the project on, knowing full well that there is no-one more passionate or knowledgeable on late-war Luftwaffe (jet) ops. One year on then this new release relates the story of the Luftwaffe's most prominent Me 262 jet unit and is an excellent compilation of the latest research including new photos (all the 'recent' LiF Sinner pics in one place) and personal accounts assembled in a superb package. I particularly enjoyed the stories from the ex-JG 300 contingent. Once again the book features some superlative artwork from Jim Laurier and unusually for Osprey the bibliography comprises a range of unpublished sources.. Recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Excellent History of the Luftwaffe's First Jet Wing!, January 30, 2009

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

Jagdgeschwader 7, the Luftwaffe's - actually the world's(!) - first jet fighter wing finally gets the recognition it deserves in Robert Foryth's excellent JAGDGESCHWADER 7 'NOWOTNY' book, published by Osprey Publishing in 2008. Though Adolf Galland's JV 44 has received greater publicity, JG 7 played a far greater role in developing the Me 262 into an effective air defense fighter. By war's end JG 7, under Johannes Steinhoff and later Theodor Weissenberger, had downed at least 200 Allied aircraft.

Created in August 1944 from the less-than-successful Kommando Nowotny, JG 7 not only faced the usual organizational problems connected with establishing a fighter wing but also the daunting task of taming the Me 262 and shaping it into an unbeatable bomber killer. Steinhoff was aided by various talented Experten transferred into the unit - Erich Hohagen, Franz Schall, Georg-Peter Eder, etc. - but training losses and supply problems resulted in only III/JG 7 flying combat ops initially. By the time Weissenberger took over in January 1945, many of the problems with tactics and weaponry had been resolved, some 60 Allied bombers and fighters having fallen to the Me 262's 30mm cannons or R4M rockets. March saw larger scale attacks against the 'Viermots' by JG 7 but it was all for nought.

JAGDGESCHWADER 7 'NOWOTNY' ranks as one of the best Osprey 'Aviation Elite Unit' titles yet published. Forsyth is a gifted writer and his vast knowledge of Luftwaffe fighter ops comes through on every page. I would have liked a final summation of the unit's exploits but that's just me. Dozens of photos help illustrate the text along with nine color pages of gorgeous Me 262 aircraft profiles by Jim Laurier. To my mind, Laurier is the best Osprey illustrator bar none.

If possible, I'd give Foryth's book six stars. While not exhaustive, it is an interesting, informative and well-illustrated history of this historically significant unit...and a great read. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars great book on 262 unit, December 29, 2008

By	Robert Bausch (Belmont, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book, and its companion on JV44 "Galland" by the same author, Robert Forsyth, are excellent additions to the lore of the Me-262. Forsyth obviously has a great interest in, and knowledge of the subject. Anyone with an interest in this aircraft should have these books, as they really "flesh out" the 262 story with the people that were involved in the 2 units of the Luftwaffe that used the aircraft the most. The description of the life and times of these folks during this chaotic and deadly time is very real. Fascinating reading, and the colour profiles are excellent. These larger (128 pages) Osprey books are very good value for the money, especially when purchased from Amazon.