Mike Spick Libri

Indhold: The Technology of Air Combat ; The Aircraft and their Weapons ; Air Combat Tactics.

A detailed analysis of German bomber and dive-bomber tactics during the Second World War.

During the six years of World War II the science of aviation advanced more rapidly than in any other similar period in history. From that forcing-house of development, five types of aircraft emerged as the truly outstanding combat planes of the era. The stories of their evolution and subsequent combat careers are the subjects of this volume.

An engaging history of the Mustang and Flying Fortress, from their beginnings and early exploits through to the final battles and campaigns of World War II.

This exciting on-going series covers every aspect of the Luftwaffe in World War II and charts the rise and fall of this mighty force. Each volume makes use of over a hundred rare and valuable photographs, many of them taken by Luftwaffe personnel, to bring history to life and record both the men and the aircraft they flew. By 1943 the war in the skies of Europe had changed dramatically as the RAF and USAAF began to dominate and eventually achieve air superiority. Defeat in the West captures the essence of the Luftwaffe's losing battle for survival.

This exciting on-going series covers every aspect of the Luftwaffe in World War II and charts the rise and fall of this mighty force. Each volume makes use of over a hundred rare and valuable photographs, many of them taken by Luftwaffe personnel, to bring history to life and record both the men and the aircraft they flew. Luftwaffe Bomber Aces is an amazing analysis of German bomber and dive-bomber tactics with numerous first-hand accounts by Luftwaffe personnel

Drawing on first-hand accounts, an examination of some of the Luftwaffe's leading fighter aces of World War II, in which the author surveys their exploits and explains the secret of their success.

In 1939, the Luftwaffe was the most formidable air force, boasting unmatched fighters and superior tactical systems. Its campaigns in Poland, Norway, the Low Countries, and France showcased its dominance, with only a narrow failure to achieve air superiority over England in 1940. Despite maintaining a strong kill/loss ratio against the RAF and sweeping through the Balkans, the Luftwaffe faced a dramatic decline within three years, culminating in the defeat of its fighter arm, the Jagdwaffe, even with the introduction of the advanced Me 262 jet. Air-warfare historian Mike Spick delves into this decline, revealing that the Jagdwaffe's motivation was fundamentally flawed. The myth of Manfred von Richthofen, the legendary Red Baron, was leveraged by Hermann Goering to boost his image, creating a culture where high victory scores and decorations overshadowed effective combat strategies. This obsession led to unhealthy competition among pilots, undermining their effectiveness in battle. Spick's analysis highlights the failures of High Command and the detrimental focus on individual accolades, offering a compelling examination of the Luftwaffe and the skilled pilots who served within it.

Air power in World War II was crucial for ultimate victory, and it was the fighter pilots who determined the eventual outcome of the war. About five percent of thes e fighter pilots accounted for some forty percent of all air victories, as Spick recounts. '