Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

Hi guys
There's a chance that I could print a history of KG 27 (I won't specify the chosen period just yet) in English. The author is Walter Waiss.

I'm just wondering if this is worth my while. Surely everything has already been covered in the German language books? Granted, not everyone speaks German, but hardcore LW fans will have the books already, no?

I mean no disrespect to the author but I know nothing of his worth as a historian. I'm only familiar with his books through my second job as a bookseller....

Opinions welcomed!

Rich

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

Walter is a long standing well respected Luftwaffe historien, and has published a number of books, lately 8 on Legion Condor. And he has covered nearly all aspects on KG 27.But of course in German language. Over a decade has collected a huge amount of Flugbücher in copy.
Junker

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

thanks, that's reassuring!

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

Good series of books in German even if the binding leaves much to be desired

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

thanks Chris

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

Hi Rich,

Walter Waiss is a well-regarded Luftwaffe researcher who has authored or co-authored many high-quality books on a range of subjects.

Here are the ones I'm aware of:

• "Chronik Kampfgeschwader Nr. 27 Boelcke" (seven volumes), self-published (vols. 1-3) & Helios (vols. 4-7), 1997-2010 (Note: A revised edition of Vol. 4 was published in 2014)
  Definitive history of KG 27. As Chris mentioned, the first 3 volumes are kinda crappy softcover bindings, but the last 4 volumes are excellent hardcovers.
• "Legion Condor" (8 volumes), Helios, 2013-2025
  A detailed and well-illustrated series of books on the Luftwaffe in the Spanish Civil War.
• "Kommando Bienenstock: Letzter Einsatz der Luftwaffe Mai 1945", Helios, 2021, ISBN 978-3-86933-270-3
  Features many personal accounts of the desperate attacks on Soviet armored columns using Bü 181s fitted with Panzerfausts. Also includes some accounts from Kommando Elbe participants.
• "Heinz Sannemann: Ein Jagdfliegerleben", Helios, 2018, ISBN 978-3-86933-218-5 (co-authored with Falk Breuer)
  A biography consisting of the photos, correspondence and diary entries of Heinz Sannemann, who flew with JG 26, JG 3, and EJG 1.
• "Überlebt: Das Fliegerleben des Georg Munker 1939-1945", Helios, 2012, ISBN 978-3-86933-074-7
  A photographic account of Munker's service as a photojournalist. He flew with various Luftwaffe units, including KG 27.
• "Von Caen zur Festung Sewastopol: Stationen eines Bordinstrumentenprüfers in der Luftwaffe 1937-1942", Helios, 2014, ISBN 978-3-86933-110-2
  A photographic account of Herbert Heise's service as an instrument tester on the Western and Eastern fronts. Includes his Flugbuch.

Waiss also assisted Max Lagoda with his autobiography, "Ein Blick in die Vergangenheit: Kriegserinnerungen eines Fernaufklärers aus Russland und dem Orient", Helios, 2011, ISBN 978-3-86933-047-1

I'd very much appreciate an English edition of any (or all) of the KG 27 volumes.

Hope that helps,
Leon Venter

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

Normally I would have bought his KG 27 books if there had been a reasonable number of Vol.

But seven? It's like me moving out of my flat and the books moving in instead.

One - two volumes would work for me, wih the hardcore facts intact.
No idea how many pages these seven volumes contain, but it is sort of one page for each day
of the war
No way KG 27 is that interesting

Cheers
Stig

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

Funnily enough, I almost bought one of the KG 27 volumes the other day so I would definitely be interesting in buying them - and giving Google Translate a rest on my phone...

Obviously, a book covering their role in 1940/41 would be very interesting.

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

... I have some of the KG 27 books. They comprise a 50-60 page text section with lots of 'unknown' personal accounts, I keep meaning to post a few on my blog and a couple of hundred pages of unfortunately largely uninteresting photos showing wrecks, training group photos, well-known landmarks from the French campaign etc At best you'll get a couple of worthwhile volumes out of them I'd imagine.

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

I will buy a copy.

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

Hi,
I own 6 volumes of Chronik Kampfgeschwader Nr. 27 Boelcke.
This volume is absolutely exceptional.
Walter Waiss is one of the best authors!!!
I wish every unit had such a chronicle.:)

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

I have volume 7 and saw some previous ones...
If the table of losses are at the end, condensed in a list, and not in monstrous tables in text per every day, it would help the book and text to be more transparent lets say.
As said here, maybe some shrink to lets say 4 books, with better laid photos alongside the text would do a nice english version.

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

Do any of the volumes have a single list or table of commanders from Geschwaderkommodore to Staffelkapitän?

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

Kev,

No that is a downside to these otherwise exceptional books ... I contacted Walter about it some years ago as I have his books... he would send me the list if I sent him copies of a Flugbuch.... I no longer had the Flugbuch so that was the end of that.

/Ian

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

hi,

there are some more books of walter waiss:

Jasta Boelcke - alle Abschüsse der Jasta Boelcke im 1. WK
Julius Withenius - Biographie eines deutschen Fliegers im 1. WK
Richthofen braucht Nachfolger - Biographie eines deutschen Fliegers im 1. WK
Des Kaisers Flieger in Mazedonien - die deutschen Staffeln in Mazedonien und Griechenland im 1. WK, Bildband
Oswald Boelcke - der Held des Roten Barons

all the best
jim

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

are they all 'exceptional' as well ?

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

exceptional?

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

See post #13 above.

Re: Waiss KG 27 books - opinions?
 

I own all 7 volumes of Chronik Kampfgeschwader Nr. 27 Boelcke. I hesitate to use the word "exceptional" but they are very well done and contain vast amounts of data, photos and narrative . . With judicious editing they could be distilled into 2-3 outstanding volumes