Customer Reviews

Kampfflieger- Bombers of the Luftwaffe 1933-1940, Volume 1 (Luftwaffe Colours)

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

 

 

Ian Allan kicks off a four-volume set of German bombers with this nicely illustrated book by J. Richard Smith and Eddie Creek.

Identical in format to the firm's earlier 'Jagdwaffe' set, the book boasts over 200 black & white and color photos and 14 color side-views of Ju 52, Do 17, He 111, Ju 86, Ju 88 and FW 200 bombers by Tom Tullis.

The first 20-odd pages deal with the birth of the Luftwaffe's bomber force, detailing the creation and proliferation of the first bomber units, early bombers such as converted Ju 52s, the Luftwaffe's brief dalliance with four-engined bombers, etc. This section, to be honest, is rather dull but necessary to the story.

The action heats up as the Luftwaffe becomes involved in the Spanish Civil War. Following Franco's victory there, the inevitable buildup to war sees new, more modern bomber types introduced along with the creation of new units. The attack on Poland is followed by campaigns in Norway, France and the Low Countries as the Luftwaffe reigns supreme over all adversaries.

This section isn't much more exciting than the first pages noted above. It could have benefited from many, more first-person narratives from aircrew, only one being included. Personally I could have done without all the Luftwaffe orders of battle that run through the book.

So, on balance, you get a good collection of photos and artwork but a rather dry recitation of the birth and early campaigns of the Kampfflieger.