[Kari Lumppio]

Hallo!

This is really good news as far as I am concerned. I had already pondered getting the German edition. The Koala book will probably be both cheaper and much, much easier read for me. Do you know if there are photos included in the book?


Of mr. Valtonen's translations and footnotes. His translations are very good especially because he is able to understand and translate also the pilots' jargon. His footnotes are at times on and at times off mark as are his photo captions. Some of the extras like unit strengths and loss details really do add to the book material while some are apparently sort of hasty (personal) comments which could have been as easily left out. But if one is used to read footnoted text they are easy to ignore.

And indeed Valtonen hinted Rudel being a nazi in his comments. I once asked this from a veteran pilot who knew him (Rudel) post-war. Rudel may have been more an anti-bolshevist and/or nostalgic for the Teutonic Order Knights than a nazi. Perhaps Valtonen knows more? In that case more elaboration of the subject would have been in order. Personally I would be very careful when using such stamps even if it would be correct in this particular case.


Cheers,
Kari