Kampfflieger -Bombers of the Luftwaffe July 1940-December 1941,Volume 2 (Luftwaffe Colours) [Paperback]

J Richard Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 11, 2004 | Series: Luftwaffe Colours (Book 2)

This is the second title in a four-volume study concentrating on Luftwaffe conventional and maritime/torpedo bomber aircraft, camouflage and markings 1933-1945. Conceptual design and layout follows that of the popular 'Jagdwaffe' series. The narrative text provides an overview, with the detail contained in the captions. Captions concentrate on individual aircraft, units, pilots, and camouflage and markings, etc. Each volume is super-rich in photographic content. Also includes 15 complementary color profiles to illustrate camouflage schemes, tactical markings and numbering and unit insignia as employed on all fronts.

This volume covers 'Bomben auf England' (the Battle of Britain' and Night Blitz on London); the opening phase of bomber operations in the Mediterranean against Malta, Crete and Sicily; the campaign in the Balkans; early anti-shipping operations with the Fw 200 and He 111s; the 'sideshow' in Iraq and operations in Russia to the end of 1941.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Classic Publications (December 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903223431
• ISBN-13: 978-1903223437
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,199,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luftwaffe Bombers in Action!, May 31, 2006

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kampfflieger -Bombers of the Luftwaffe July 1940-December 1941,Volume 2 (Luftwaffe Colours) (Paperback)

Volume Two in the four-volume Kampfflieger set covers Luftwaffe bombers in action in 1940-41, a period that saw the Luftwaffe suffer its first defeat followed by further combats in the Mediterranean and Russia.

As with the first volume, J. Richard Smith and Eddie Creek do an admirable job of summarizing combat ops flown by Germany's bomber units in this period. Though defeated over England, Germany's Junkers, Dornier, Focke Wulf and Heinkel bomber units were still a force to contend with and contributed mightily to the initial successes in North Africa and, especially, Russia.

The author's comprehensive text is well served by almost 200 black & white and color photos and 15 Tom Tullis color profiles of Ju 88s, Do 17/217s, FW 200s and the old He 111 warhorse. Photographically this volume really stands out for presenting so many, previously unknown camouflage schemes. Just imagine - low contrast gray camouflage in use 40 years before its use by RAF Sea Harriers over the Falklands!

In any case, Ian Allan has a winning formula going and Luftwaffe fans will enjoy this volume and the Kampfflieger set in general.

***
One quibble: I would have preferred more first-person narratives from aircrew in the book and fewer organizational charts.