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Spitfire on my Tail

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Steinhilper was one of the pre-war trained cadre of Luftwaffe officers, an elite officer corps within the Wehrmacht. Through his first book he takes us through his trials and tribulations. From childhood to eventually becoming an officer of the Luftwaffe. His case for the radio in fighters is of course very strong and the controversy remains as to who did or did not impede its developement. His criticism of the "Spaniards" is also very telling, and judging from his personal experiences with them he does have some points of complaint. However, it seems hard at times to see that so many of the Spaniards would behave in such a way. Steinhilper's relationship with Galland illustrates this story. One is however tempted to think that had Steinhilper been the protege of Werner "Daddy" Moelders, things might have been different. Moelders was one of the Luftwaffe's most gifted officers. A tactican of the highest order( The "Oswald Boelcke" of the Second World War), a record holding pilot ( highest scorer of the Condor Legion, 14 kills, and the first pilot to have 100 confirmed victories) But above all, a teacher, who, less concerned with personal victories, was more concerned about teaching young pilots to survive in the air. He was the youngest general of the luftwaffe, upon Udet's death. But, that is a 'might have been', nevertheless, Steinhilper survived all and became one of the kanaljager. His descriptions of war in all its tragedies and disasters is very telling. The loss of comrades as the days went by and the frustation with indecision in the high command. And eventually his own crash in England. An excellent autobiography.

This is an excellent account from a German fighter pilot (Ulrich Steinhilper) who was shot down and taken prisoner in the Battle of Britain. The book not only shows what it was like to train, serve and fight in the Luftwaffe, but also gives an insight into Nazi Germany. Steinhilper takes us back to his childhood and family where his parents were labelled social climbers and were subsequently discriminated againsnt by jealous members of the community. Steinhilper then takes us through his acceptance and training in the luftwaffe, including an encounter with SS bullies and training for the Nurnberg rally where the new fledgling Luftwaffe was keen to out do the army. The book also shows how ill prepared the Luftwaffe was in the Czechoslvakia crisis, but how Hitlers bluff worked.

The book gives a subjective insight into some big names within the Luftwaffe like Galland and Wick. Steinhilper had a strained relationship with Galland where Galland and his Spanish Civil War vetrans (referred to as 'Spainards'in the book) were set in their ways and were againsnt radio communication in fighters. Steinhilper could see the benefit of radio communication in fighters and tried to develop its use and acceptance. Tragically for the Luftwaffe, its potential was not fully developed and fighters were not able to directly communicate with bombers or Air Sea Rescue. This was yet another reason for the result of the Battle of Britain.

Steinhilper talks about his experiences during the Battle of Britain, his missions, victories and also incorporates copies of his letters sent home. What becomes apparent is how the Luftwaffe slowly became demoralised and tired because of the dwindling numbers within their ranks, fatique and channel disease. As the book states 'there is no doubt in Ulrich's mind that the RAF broke the back and spirit of the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain'. This is an essential read for anyone with an interest in the Luftwaffe or Battle of Britain.