Over the years much has been written about Luftwaffe aces, but this book seeks to examine the lives of the ordinary men who took to the skies. These men all shared the same aggressive spirit, joy of action and the passion of a hunter. Rich with fascinating first-hand accounts exploring every step of the fighter pilots career from his enlistment and intensive training to his exploits in the Battle of Britain and on the Eastern Front, this book is an invaluable insight into the life of a Luftwaffe fighter pilot.

Contents

Introduction · Chronology · Recruitment

Enlistment · Training · Appearance · Equipment · Conditions of Service · On Campaign · Belief and Belonging · Experience of Battle