Defending the Reich

Ref: 4868

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{detailed description}The history of Jagdgeschwader 1 "Oesau" 1939 to 1945 this is the first English edition translated form the original French.

From the book's introduction:
During the first campaigns of the Second World War, the Luftwaffe fighter force achieved overwhelming success. However at this time, the premier fighter unit, Jagdgeschwader 1, was only in the throes of formation. It only reached full complement when the allies began their raids on occupied Europe.
From 1942 to 1944 Jagdgeschwader 1 was based principally in Holland. Being the first line of defence of the Reich, it had the heavy responsibility of daylight interception of enemy formations generally superior in numbers, more appropriately equipped, and whose attack tactics were never thwarted. The pilots of Jagdgeschwader 1 returned surprising successes in spite of the imbalance of numbers, but nevertheless their losses were often heavy.
From June 1944, Jagdgeschwader 1 was engaged in the Normandy campaign in summer; defence of the Reich in Autumn, and the Ardennes offensive in Winter. When it was transferred to the east in January 1945 it was so weakened, like the Luftwaffe in general, that its influence on the front was minimal. It followed the general retreat until the war's end.
Aside from the historical and political interest which comes from studying a Luftwaffe fighter unit, the human interest is important. A unit theoretically comprised of between 50 and 100 pilots, but each faced danger alone, isolated in their aircraft. The reactions were very differ-ent: uncontrollable fear to unthinking heroism; attitudes which, in certain instances, left a bitter taste. Pilots of the Second World War knew one of the first forms of total war. One did not see the adversary whom one killed. The enemy was a terrifying machine with an invisible crew. Knowing that he would be saving his own people if he eliminated the bomber, the German fighter pilot attacked like an unforgiving jouster. On each mission, an internal conflict unfolded. Their personal conscience became tangled: fear of the enemy which often appeared technically superior; the role of defender of the population and its leader; the respect for orders .... A heavy burden for a young man of twenty to carry!
It is the history of these young men that this book deals with.
Certainly this work will contain gaps, which I hope the reader will understand.
ERIC MOMBEEK
IXELLES
AUGUST 1992

{Author / Publisher / Date}by Eric Mombeek
published by JAC Publications 1992 1st English edn. 332pp profusely illustrated, appendices 21x30 pictorial laminated boards
{condition}very slightly bumped corners, otherwise near fine.
{delivery info}