Classic Publications

On Special Missions

The Luftwaffe’s Research and Experimental Squadrons 1923-1945

by J. Richard Smith, Eddie J. creek, and Peter Petrick

Reviewed By James Kelley, #42103

ISBN: 1-903223-33-4

Hardcover, $32.95

www.classic-books.co.uk

Riding the wave of renewed interest in the “Fallen Eagles”, or captured enemy aircraft genre of modeling, comes “On Special Missions: The Luftwaffe’s Experimental and Research Squadrons 1923-1945”.  Coming out of the Classic Books publishing house in the UK, ‘Special Missions” is satin-matte finished, 127 page hard-cover book of who’s who in the former secret Luftwaffe division.

Borne of the clandestine mapping of the “Polish Corridor” between Germany and East Prussia by a former WWI airman using a privately-hired aircraft, the Verschuchsverband went on to become the Luftwaffe High Command’s most secret assets.  Responsible for long-range reconnaissance missions over England, as well as spy-dropping missions, this unit also tested and operated the Do335 Pfeil, the Junkers Ju-86R, and the jet-powered Ardo Ar 234.  Flights were carried out regularly over England, Poland, Iraq, and the Soviet Union.  It also tested and evaluated captured Allied aircraft, looking for ways to understand their flight characteristics so as to decipher their strengths and weaknesses.  Led by Hptm. Theodur “Ted” Rosarius.  Nicknamed the Zirkus Rosarius, the aircraft were traveled to different units allowing the Luftwaffe pilots to experience the enemies’ best from a personal perspective.

Much of the information in this book is garnered from previously unpublished recollections of and personal interviews with the actual players, including Herr Rosarius himself.  “Ted” (I love it….”Ted”…and his wingman was “Scott” or “Biff” ..?) speaks to the decades-old controversy of whether or not II./ Verschuchsverband actually operated one or two intact DeHavilland Mosquitoes.  Want to know what he said about “Mossie-gate?”  Read this excellent book!

     Here’s a break down of what you get:

  • Chapter 1  “To Find the Answers to All Questions…”
  • Chapter 2  “ It Looked Like a Rebellion…”
  • Chapter 3  “An Exhilarating Experience…”
  • Chapter 4  “Flying Seems to be 99 Percent Luck and One Percent Experience and Skill…”
  • Chapter 5  “It Must Have Been a Meteor…”
  • Chapter 6  “I Set Up This Enemy Fighter Unit…”
  • Chapter 7  “Allied Fighters – A German Assessment…”
  • Chapter 8  “I Made No Contact With the Enemy…”
  • Index
  • 340 Wartime photographs, many of which are rare.
  • 6 color Wartime photographs
  • 14 color plates, each with a photograph of the actual aircraft as it appeared in WWII.  13 of these plates are of captured Allied aircraft.
  • Organizational Chart of the Verschuchsverband.
  • Werknummers of all Ar 240s and Ju 88Bs operated by the Verschuchsverband

Although this book covers a narrow and highly specialized topic, the exploits discussed in it’s chapters, as well as the plethora of rare photos for reference or just looking at over and over, make it a worthwhile book to have on your shelf.  And, at a reasonable price of $32.95, I must highly recommend it!

My sincerest thanks go out to Mr. John Noack, 1st VP IPMS USA, and to Classic Books (now Ian Allen Publishing) for this review book.

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