I Learned To Fly For Hitler [Paperback]

Joe Volmar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 8, 1999

This is an eye-witness account of World War II inside Nazi Germany as seen through the eyes of a 14 year old American-reared youth who returned to his Vaterland in 1941. The book describes the transformation of a naive Boy Scout to a goose-stepping Hitler Youth in just a few months. It reveals little-known facts that should be fascinating to any reader, especially those interested in the history of World War II and its political and cultural implications. Aviation buffs will enjoy the detailed description of Hitler's training programs. The book is action-packed and completely factual. It tells of hazardous glider instruction to develop young Luftwaffe pilots and of nerve-racking and deadly air raids as seen from the victims' perspective. You'll read about mere children made into soldiers overnight to fight for Hitler's maniacal quest for victory. The author soloed in a glider at age 15 and was pressed into anti-aircraft service while still in High School. As his glider training progressed, he was chosen to participate in a program preparing him to fly the infamous rocket-powered fighter, the Me-163. The massive Russian offensive in January 1945 abruptly ended his training and sent him fleeing across the Baltic Sea to avoid capture by the Russians. Wounded, beaten and demoralized, the author experienced VE Day and was immediately employed by U.S. Forces because of his bi-lingual talents. Joe Volmar returned to the United States in 1951 and pursued a successful career in small business. He re-kindled his interest in flying gliders at age 64 and is presently active in the sport at Adrian (Michigan) Soaring Club, one of the oldest gliding clubs in America. He also publishes two newsletters dedicated to the enjoyment and safety of soaring, the Propless Wash and the Taifunews.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Since there is almost nothing written from the teenage Germans' point of view, it is refreshing to learn about their lives during those turbulent times. While my Dad was told to stay in college when he first tried to enlist in the USAAF, for instance, Germany was feeling a real manpower pinch.

Volmar describes the hardships of going to school in the morning, gun drill in the afternoon and air raids almost every night. Though he was wounded and spent some postwar time in a British POW camp, Joe Volmar eventually returned to the US where he initiated a successful business career.

But soaring remains one of his all-time loves, and he has rediscovered that as well. Of interest to glider pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike, this one shows that world conflict from a completely different perspective. A rare story indeed. -- Robert S. DeGroat, Flight Journal Magazine, December 1999

From the Author

I have attempted to describe what it was like to grow up as a teen-ager in Nazi Germany during World War II. I wish to emphasize that this book does not, in any way whatsoever, intend to glorify Adolph Hitler or to condone any of his Nazi philosophies. I merely want to depict how easily one can get swept along with the masses.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 249 pages
• Publisher: Kron Publications; 1st edition (July 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967138906
• ISBN-13: 978-0967138909
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,361,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Insidiousness of controlled media, June 16, 2000

By 

M.C.Gregorie (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Learned To Fly For Hitler (Paperback)

This book is an excellent insight on how all-pervasive state-controlled media can distort a person's better judgement into the state's required mindset.

It is also contains a fascinating account of the wartime gliding scene. This is a graphic account of how it was possible to learn to fly in single seat aircraft, something that is never attempted today, and hints at the development of the modern wire launch.

Recommended for WW2 history buffs and glider pilots alike.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, February 10, 2000

By 

Michael McMahon Jr (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Learned To Fly For Hitler (Paperback)

Very enjoyable reading. I have always enjoyed reading about World War II Aviation history, especially pertaining to the European Theatre. Most of the books which I have read have been written by Pilots, Navigators, Waist Gunners...etc. However, this book is from a totally different perspective, a young teenager in Germany who loves to fly.

The author does an excellent job of telling his story of how a teenager unwilling to be the "odd person out" can easily get swept away with the emotional tide of the country.

Very good book to read. Very enjoyable, enlightning and easy to read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The other side of World War II, October 3, 2001

By 

Eric B. Norris (Santa Clara, California USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: I Learned To Fly For Hitler (Paperback)

This book is written from a novel perspective--a young German/American boy whose family moves back to Germany before war breaks out. Joe Volmar gives us an unblinking look into his experiences as a German teenager who wants to learn to fly.

I think it's somewhat deceptive to say that this book will be liked by glider pilots. Frankly, this glider pilot found far too little written about flying gliders for my appetite. There is little technical information about German gliders of that era, or flying for that matter. But don't let this put you off even if you are a glider pilot--Volmar's point of view is unique, and the details of daily German life he presents here are nothing short of enthralling. I don't know if Joe Volmar used a ghost writer, but his voice comes through clearly in this very personal tale.

Glider pilot or not, I think anyone who wants to understand WWII will find this book fascinating.