Black cross red star volume 1
 

Please what do you think of the new edition of volume 1 ?

Thank you

Alain

Re: Black cross red star volume 1
 

The author includes accounts from both sides and where possible reconciles different versions of the same combat.
Rare photos and excellent production values.

There is simply nothing comparable that it is published in English.

Looking forward to the revised edition of volume 2 later this year.

Re: Black cross red star volume 1
 

Thank you Edward.

Re: Black cross red star volume 1
 

Well Edward

It is a comparison with the the first edition that is interesting.
How do you compare the two?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Black cross red star volume 1
 

Hello Stig,

I do not have a copy of the first edition of volume I but would like to pick up one if I can find it for less than $75 (U.S.).

Edward

Re: Black cross red star volume 1
 

Stig,
A comparison:

First edition, Pacifica Military History.
Trim size: 8.5 by 11 inches (612 by 896 points; 72 points to the inch)
307 pages, text ends at page 291, followed by an index.
2 columns of text, 47 lines/column

Second edition, Vaktel Books
trim size: 8.25 by 11-11/16ths inches (596 by 846 points)
(Sorry, my pica-pole only has inches, agate, picas and half-picas, and points)
384 pages, of which the last 2 are ads, 1 page "index" to be downloaded
2 columns of text, 60 lines/column.
Much better paper quality than the first edition, with vastly improved photo quality.

Enjoy!

Frank

Re: Black cross red star volume 1
 

Thanks Frank
So more pages and more "tightly" written then.
But what about the contents?
All new photos or just a few new added?
Is the text different in giving more basic data, such as more dates, more exact claims/losses?
I am not interested in a book which only expands on personal recollections.
Cheers
Stig

Re: Black cross red star volume 1
 

Christer has undertaken additional research for the new edition. I know because I pulled a range of HW files for him at Kew at the time.


All the best


Andreas

Re: Black cross red star volume 1
 

A fine book an updated and expanded version of the old Volume 1. I do have a some comments:

page 101 picture a Ju 88 bomber crew ended up in Soviet captivity after being shot down by Soviet fighters over Leningrad. 2 of the men are wearing army uniforms? This could be the original Soviet caption.

page 114 15th Tank corps should be Mechanized corps

page 212 10 Aug 41 Odessa Soviets no ships hit Babarossa to Odessa has the Tug SP-11 sunk

page 232 Aircraft Carrier Victorious raid on Liinahamari has 1 Bf 110 lost. There were 9 Ju 87s of IV/LG1 that joined the combat according to my notes from:
Send Her Victorious Michael Apps
Sea Eagles The Operational History of the Messerstmidt Bf 109T Francis L Marshall

One Ju 87 over shot an Albacore and was shot down by it

Luftwaffe.no has L1+EW #5310 2 MIA this day

page 250 has the "... anti-aircraft guns of the legendary revolutionary ship Aurora hit two of the Ju 88s, which both crashed in German-controlled territory."
Warship 2019 artical "In Aurora's shadow: The Russian Crusiers of the Diana class" by Stephen McLaughin on the ship has in 1922 10- 130mm, 2 -3inch AA , and 2 MGs and in 1925/26 4 old 75mms added. He also has During the Great patriotic War guns were transfered to land batteries defending Leningrad the ship was used as a floating barracks for submarine crews. On 30 Sep 41 the ship was damaged by german shore based artillery and grounded at Oranienbaum.

This may have been Soviet wartime propaganda. Looking at all the flak around Leningrad I would say there were many AA guns firing at these planes

Re: Black cross red star volume 1
 

Regarding Aurora: Skvortsov's book states that only one 76.2 mm, one 45 mm gun and one Maxim mg were firing AA fire and the book does not mention any aircraft shot down by them.