I am delighted to announce the release of a new book called "Luftwaffe Eagles Over Ireland".
The story of German air crashes over neutral Ireland 1940 - 1945.
A major new work on Ireland’s Second World War history hits the bookshelves on October 26th this year. ‘Luftwaffe Eagles Over Ireland’ , written by Justin Horgan and Paddy Cummins (publishers
www.horganpress.com) traces the relationship between neutral Ireland and Luftwaffe crews downed here during the Second World War.
More than 20 years of research brings to life the activities of the Luftwaffe over Ireland.
The writers use the crashes on neutral territory to inform readers how Ireland became a bolt-hole for German flyers in trouble. The Luftwaffe’s own battles with the Royal Air Force in the skies around Ireland resulted in many crash or forced landings and the sometimes heavy price crews paid as they tried to find safe landing sites in Ireland. The book traces the events surrounding these crashes, the response of local people to these landings in their midst and the extensive efforts to save crew members. The book includes interviews with many of the surviving crews from that period and produces a fascinating military and social history of that time.
It includes stories of the downed crews’ amazing time at Curragh Camp, honour bound to return after being allowed out to cinemas and local hostelries.
The book also examines the relationship between the crews and the local people, the marriages and the deep bonds that were created for these young Germans with Ireland for the rest of their lives.
