10 1-903223-87-3
13 978-1 903223-87-1
MSRP: $59.95 plus $6.95 Shipping and Handling
Web Site: www.specialtypress.com
Phone: 1-800-895-4585 or 651-277-1400

This is not the typical Luftwaffe book. This book is the result of years of tedious research by some dedicated authors trying to unravel some of the mysteries regarding Luftwaffe bomber units that operated before and during World War II. The first volume, which I have not seen, introduced the topic, and covered approximately half of the units. This second volume finishes the job. It is basically a reference book on the units themselves, the personnel involved, the operational history, types of aircraft involved, base locations, and anything else they could come up with to make the story more interesting. It begins with a table of contents listing the units covered and the specialized information available at the end. A short section outlines the method of organization of the material. Next is a huge list of the terms and designations that a non-German would need. I found myself referring back to these quite often. Following is an introduction that discusses the basic strategies and organization of the Luftwaffe bomber arm, and how units evolved during the course of the conflict. Particularly interesting to me was the fact that most units kept the same letter codes on their airplanes throughout the conflict, rather than changing them periodically as the Allies often did.

Given the wholesale destruction of records by individual units and all echelons of the command structure, it is a wonder that any information survives on the operations of these units. Some units, notably KG200, were sworn to secrecy even after the war, so it is quite an accomplishment for these authors to piece together the story that they present. The information is presented in numerical order, beginning with K.G.66 through K.Gr.806, the Bomber-Fighter units (K.G. (J) 6 through K.G.(J) 55), test units L.G.1 through L.G.3, and ending with a series of specialized units. Some units are covered in great detail, while others, mainly those that did not exist for long periods of time, and rather abbreviated. Photos of the units' actual airplanes are provided when available, and while I have seen a few of these before, the vast majority are previously unpublished, at least to my knowledge. At the end of each unit's coverage, a list of published and unpublished sources is given, thus aiding the researcher who wishes to delve more deeply into this fascinating subject. An extensive bibliography, a personnel index, and a location index concludes the book. This publication is packed with information.

One topic that I found particularly interesting was the operational history of K.G.200, which was a kind of special operations organization that was formed in great secrecy in early 1944. It was established to support Luftwaffe and Abwehr intelligence operations, and operated a wide variety of aircraft, ranging from JU-290's, DO-24's, captured B-17's and B-24's, JU-88's and JU-188's, piloted V-1 flying bombs, Misteln, FW-190's, and other miscellaneous types. The photos are fascinating, especially of the Misteln.

This book has whetted my appetite, and now I'll have to look for volume 1. This book is definitely worth getting if you are a Luftwaffe fan. Highly recommended.

Thanks to IPMS/USA and Specialty Press for the review copy.

Order directly from www.specialtypress.com or 1-800-895-4585. Cost is $59.95 USD plus $6.96 shipping and handling.