Customer Reviews

SHARKS AMONG MINNOWS: The Fokker Eindecker Period, July 1915 to September 1916

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This book is not what I expected. The author just gives us a litany of "kills," without much of a unifying narrative to put some perspective on what is happening. With headings like "Mulzer's Eighth," and Guttermuth's First Victory," author just rambles on and on. The best parts of the book are the introduction and Chapter 11. I expected more from the author of "Under the Guns of the Red Baron." Something along the lines of "A Bloody Shambles" by Shores would better serve the period called The Fokker Scourge.

This volume may present less of a "campaign" history than some readers prefer, but it is probably the most detailed study of the topic yet produced in English. The book's organization, almost victory by victory for the leading Eindecker pilots, serves its purpose in demonstrating the "force multiplier" that the Fokker monoplane became in 1915-16. In that regard, the Eindecker series remains important as the first "system aircraft" since its armament was more important to its success than the airframe, or "platform" in today's parlance. Franks understands that distinction and addresses it in some detail.

For context in the evolving technology, I would like to see more detail about some of the D-series fighters flown by the early Jagdfliegern, but unfortunately those sources often are lacking. Meanwhile, Franks describes Eindecker actions in other theaters and presents the air-air claims of German two-seaters during the period of the Fokker Scourge. With nearly 100 rare photos, this book is well worth having.