Customer Reviews

Rumanian Aces of World War 2

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

 

 

A little-known story of great courage, skill and patriotism! A long awaited publication. Full of interesting details, great photographs and stunning colour plates of World War II planes. A joy to read!

Unlike, say, the same book regarding Hungarian pilots (Hungarian=jingoistic; and I say this having been to Hungary and having enjoyed myself immensely-though pre-financial collapse), this book is a fascinating & even-handed look at the air war over Romania. It was far more than just Ploesti, although its hard to just devote 10-20 pages (or so) to such a significant event in USAAF-USAF history. Its only with the drop of the Iron Curtain that I've come to appreciate the Me-109 as something more than a 2nd rate FW-190. A very versatile & effective plane!

Now I am an retired engineer of Industria Aeronautica Romana - Brasov . Many years ago, (at my 25 years of age),
I was very lucky to listen some war air battle stories spoken directly by Romanian Ace Ioan Milu. In that book I found some of those actions absolutely real. This book is a reference book of reality and dramatism for Romanian pilots involved .. Congratulation to the author .

Joining Germany in the invasion of Poland in 1939, the Rumanians were using the Polish PZL built P.11 gull winged plane!
The Rumanians needed better aircraft than the Hurricane Mk.I and P.11/24, such as the Bf-109. Also using the IAR-80/-81, the plane was easily downed by enemy flak or fighters. But the Bf-109 was a tougher nut to crack. The IAR-80 was used `hard and heavy' by the Rumanians, but with the Yak fighters improving, the Rumanians had to change from their older, weaker, planes to new ones. Being pummeled almost daily by USAAF bombers. The escorts were a problem to the attacking Bf-109s and IAR-80s--especially the P-51!

This is the first book from Denes Bernad, and if he publishes any more books like this, I'll buy 'em! I shot threw this book. I couldn't stop reading it! He's almost tied with George Mellinger and John Weal!! The color plates of He-112s, Bf-109s, IAR-80/-81s, P.11/.24s, Hurricanes and a Bf-110 and Hs-129 are very well done. I was happy to see at the end of the book he has the top 4 Rumanian aces. I found this book a pleasure to read.
1 question though: Is it Rumania or Romania?