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| Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the German Luftwaffe and the Air Forces of its Allies. |
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#1
19th April 2008, 00:23
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Gottfried Leske: 'I was a Nazi Flyer'
Hi guys
The above named published a book in the US in 1941 called 'I was a Nazi Flyer'; it was translated by one Curt Riess. The blurb stated that Leske had flown bomber sorties at Dunkirk, against London and Coventry. Was he 'real'? Or was the book a novel. Advise, please, before I spend next week's booze money!! Cheers Brian 
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#4
19th April 2008, 13:27
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Re: Gottfried Leske: 'I was a Nazi Flyer'
Brian
The text of the book is completely Mickey Mouse. A total phoney. Don't expect to glean anything from it!!
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#5
26th April 2008, 18:14
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Re: Gottfried Leske: 'I was a Nazi Flyer'
Hi Andy
I have just received a copy of the 1st edition hardback, published in 1941. While I agree "the names have been changed to conceal the true identity" (as they used to say on those old back & black US crime films), why could the book not be based on an original diary as claimed? Cheers Brian
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#6
26th April 2008, 20:24
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Re: Gottfried Leske: 'I was a Nazi Flyer'
Well, I suppose its possible that it was loosely based on a diary but as I recall much of it seems a bit improbable to say the least but that could have just been the propaganda spin. Its a long while ago that I read it, and I no longer have a copy. Think I disposed of it as being no value. My recall is that was a quite thick book, on poor quality paper and with an orange board cover bearing blue block titles. I think I am recalling the same book you now have.
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#7
27th April 2008, 11:09
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Re: Gottfried Leske: 'I was a Nazi Flyer'
Like Andy I once had a copy of this book but disposed of it over the years. From memory, I even tried to match some of the characters & events described with actual events but had no success whatsoever. I came to the conclusion that it was a work of propaganda fiction (sanctioned by the Ministry of Information ?) compiled for the American market by someone who clearly had some knowledge & understanding of Luftwaffe operational practices, personalities, & terminology threaded around well-documeted recent events in Europe. As such I would not accept it as a reliable historical source & place it in the same category as another even less-plausible curiosity, 'Engines Over London'.
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#9
27th April 2008, 19:10
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Re: Gottfried Leske: 'I was a Nazi Flyer'
I repeat, that was my conclusion. Do let us know if you decide otherwise.
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#10
27th April 2008, 19:19
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Re: Gottfried Leske: 'I was a Nazi Flyer'
Hi Peter
No. I don't think it is for me to decide one way or the other. Andy stated it was pure Mickey Mouse and you implied that you agreed with that conclusion. I just wish to know the facts - and thought you both had inside information. Perhaps you have. But you shouldn't rubbish other published accounts on a whim. Cheers Brian
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