Product Description

Herr Norbert Hanning's wartime career makes for fascinating and highly informative reading on an aspect of the 1939-45 air war not often covered in the English language; primarily that of the campaign against the Soviet Union. He was one of the midwar-generation Luftwaffe fighter pilots and began operations with JG 54 on the eastern (Leningrad) front in early 1943; initially flying Messerschmitt Bf 109s before transitioning to the Focke-Wulf Fw 190. He became a Staffel CO and was credited with 42 victories, also serving with JV 44 (whose CO was Adolf Galland); he then returned to Germany towards the closing stages of the war to convert to Me 262 jet fighters. Many and varied were his experiences in action against the rejuvenated Soviet Air Force in the east, and the powerful western Allies over the homeland during the final chaotic months of hostilities, which culminated in his captivity. John Weal's skilful translation ensures that the fluid and descriptive style of the author is preserved. Thankfully, also, Norbert was a keen photographer who shot a profusion of images, all previously unpublished, many of which appear in this important book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #235921 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

SLIPPING THE SURLY BONDS OF EARTH INTO HELL � AND BACK AGAIN
Norbert Hannig's account of his experiences as a Luftwaffe 'Jagdflieger' (fighter pilot) on the Eastern Front from 1943-45 provides an interesting insight into the experiences of one of the "mid-war" Luftwaffe pilots. From Hannig's days with the Jungvolk (a youth organization in Germany similar to the Boy Scouts - in contrast to the Hitler Youth) in 1940 to his flight training experiences and subsequent posting to the "Green Hearts" Fighter Wing in Russia, the book is easy to read. The narrative flows and is not at all boring. You get a sense of the man himself and the effects of the daily grind of operations over an ever changing front.

(John Weal, who translated Mr. Hannig's book, is in his own right an expert on the Luftwaffe fighter arm. Check out any of his books in the "Aircraft of the Aces" series, which are published by Osprey Publishing.)

For any reader who is keenly interested in reading about the lives of obscure Second World War aces, this book will make a welcome addition to your library. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Great tale from a Luftwaffe pilot
The book is exellent value with good pictures and the story is never dull. I expected Hannig's story to be just training and fighting but stories of leave from the front, family life during the war, life as an instructor and fighter pilot at the front as well as his endeavours after the war held my interest so I could not put it down. It's not a very long story unfortunately and I sometimes wished more detail about co-pilots fates and battles fought.

Luftwaffe Fighter Ace
Luftwaffe fighter ace provides an interesting and in depth insight into the day to day life of an average fighter pilot on the Eastern front. Nobert Hanning began operations with JG54 and served until the end of the war flying over 200 missions and achieving 42 victories whilst flying the FW190. The book traces his career from his high school days to his post war career. The most interesting part of the book is the element that charts his wartime exploits as little is written about day to day operations on the Eastern Front. This makes gripping reading as does his account of working with and flying with the likes of Emil ‘Bully’ Lang and Walter Nowotny. The book is extremely well translated and contains a number of excellent pictures. Highly recommended.