Luftwaffe Air & Ground Crew 1939 45

The Luftwaffe, honed in the Spanish Civil War, played a vital part in Germany's Blitzkrieg victories in 1939-41.

Badly overstretched by war on three fronts in 1942-44, it was crippled by an incompetent commander-in-chief, the losses among experienced aircrew, and shortage of fuel. In 1944-45 it faced a final battle of attrition in skies ruled by the Allies as the Eastern and Western pincers closed on the Reich; but until the very end the dwindling band of veteran pilots - among them the greatest aces the world has ever known - presented a potent threat.

This fact-packed review of Luftwaffe uniforms and flying kit is illustrated with rare personal photos, insignia charts, and two dozen meticulously detailed colour figures.