SKY MY KINGDOM, THE: Memoirs of the Famous German World War II Test Pilot [Hardcover]

Hanna Reitsch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2009

The Sky My Kingdom is the fascinating autobiography of the famous World War test pilot - Hanna Reitsch (March 29, 1912 - August 24, 1979).

As the war progressed, Reitsch was invited to fly many of Germany's latest (and increasingly desperate) designs, including the rocket-propelled Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, and several larger bombers on which she tested various mechanisms for cutting barrage balloon cables. After crashing on her fifth Me 163 flight, she was badly injured but insisted on writing her report before falling unconscious and spending five months in hospital. Eventually she became Adolf Hitler's favorite pilot. Reitsch was one of only two women awarded the Iron Cross First Class during World War II, and the only woman awarded the Luftwaffe Combined Pilot and Observer Badge with Diamonds. She survived many accidents and was badly injured several times.

In the last days of the war Reitsch was asked to fly her companion, Colonel-General Robert Ritter von Greim, into Berlin to meet with Hitler. The city was already surrounded by Red Army troops who had made significant progress into the downtown area when they arrived on the 27th April, landing on a city street, and traveled to the Fuhrerbunker. The aircraft she used was the justly famous Fieseler Storch already well known for the exploit that rescued Mussolini, only adding to the legend of both Reitsch and that aircraft. She is said to have overheard Hitler laying out plans for Nazi commanders to join together in mass suicide when it was obvious that the war was over. She also hoped to fly out propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels' six children, who had been staying in the bunker since April 22 with their parents, but neither Joseph nor Magda Goebbels would allow it. She escaped Berlin on 29th April by flying out through heavy Russian anti-aircraft fire.

She was a devoted and idealistic Nazi, who adored Adolf Hitler and refused to believe the reports of concentration camps and torture. Not until much later would she say that she had been "disgusted" by what she witnessed in the Third Reich. She was held for 18 months by the American military after the war, she was interrogated and subsequently released.

After the war German citizens were forbidden from flying, except, after a few years, in gliders. In 1952 Reitsch won third place in the world gliding championship in Spain (and was the only woman who competed). She continued to break records including the women's altitude record (6848 meters) and became German champion in 1955.

REVIEWS

"...detailed yet highly readable memoir...reflecting as it does her sheer exuberance in the joys of flying as well as providing insight into the plans of the Luftwaffe during the war." WWII History, Winter 2009

"..an interesting look at the life of an accomplished pilot, test pilot, and witness of wartime Germany"Cybermodeler.com, 03/2010

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Casemate (March 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932033971
• ISBN-13: 978-1932033977
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #824,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Reading, August 16, 2009

By 

Mark V. Budde "Mark WWII" (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SKY MY KINGDOM, THE: Memoirs of the Famous German World War II Test Pilot (Hardcover)

I actually ordered this book thinking that it was a completely different work, separate and distinct from "Flying is My Life", also by Hanna Reitsch. Actually the two books differ very little. I downloaded "Flying is My Life" free on an internet library and read it in pdf form. I was a little disappointed when "The Sky My Kingdom" arrived. There was only one additional chapter at the end, but I am happy to add this hardcover book to my collection of historically significant aviation related books. There are some videos available online at youtube that I would encourage you to take a look at if you are interested in Hanna Reitsch - they may peak your interest in this truly fascinating individual.

3 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sky My Kingdom, May 28, 2009

By 

Patricia I. Tetrick - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SKY MY KINGDOM, THE: Memoirs of the Famous German World War II Test Pilot (Hardcover)

I was somewhat disappointed because I thought this would be a biography of the famous German pilot. Since it is an autobiography I should have known that it would be slanted. She seems to spend most of the book explaining that she was not a Nazi, just a loyal citizen.