Luftwaffe Aerial Torpedo Aircraft and Operations in World War II [Paperback]

Harold Thiele (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2005

This fascinating book offers a rare account into the operations of the Luftwaffe's aerial torpedo units during World War II. Often overlooked, the crews who flew in these units were highly trained and experienced and their missions involved hazardous flying against difficult and well-defended maritime targets.Harold Thiele has researched this field for many years. Before providing a detailed diary of Luftwaffe torpedo operations, he explores the origins of the aerial torpedo and offers a comparative study of its development in Germany, Britain, the USA, Italy and Japan from World War I until the outbreak of World War II. The body of the book comprises a detailed chronological diary of operations mounted off the English coast, in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, off North Africa and in the Black Sea by the Ju 88s, He 111s, He 177s, and Ar 95s (etc.) of Luftwaffe's torpedo units, such as KG 26, KG 77 and the various floatplane-equipped Staffeln which also undertook such operations. Supplemented by color artwork, target listings, aircraft and torpedo types, units and all ships known to have been sunk or damaged by aerial torpedo attack, this work will ber an indispensable reference for modelers & researchers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Hikoki Publications (May 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1902109422
• ISBN-13: 978-1902109428
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,301,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to a Long-Neglected Subject!, October 19, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Luftwaffe Aerial Torpedo Aircraft and Operations in World War II (Paperback)

Thiele's book is a nice overview of a long-neglected area of Luftwaffe history, the missions flown by German torpedo aircraft. Torpedo-carrying He 111s, Ju 88s, Ju 188s, and He 115s were active throughout the war, scoring several notable successes against PQ convoys and Allied convoys in the Med.

Thiele covers the development of the aerial torpedo in Germany and the subsequent wartime exploits of the torpedo units in a chronological narrative, the text being complemented by numerous photos and great color artwork by Tim Brown. I would have enjoyed more personal reminiscences by Luftwaffe aircrew but, considering the price, this book is a winner hands down!

Many thanks to Hikoki for tackling this topic!