What is your favourite REAL WW2 aviation book?

[Juha]

Hello Bombphoon. They are different, Top Guns is a normal basic unit history. War Diaries are as their names indicate in a diary form, text plus daily tabulation of claims and losses. I like more on the Diaries but some like more on Tops Guns.

[Bombphoon]

Thank you Juha, appreciated.

[NickM]

Oh yes, just like Juha said top guns is a general unit history from start to finish, and the War Diary pretty much follows the same outline but each day is topped off with the tally of vic claims, losses as well as the alpha/chronological breakdown at the end of all pilots who claimed vics and all pilots who became casualties while serving with JG26

[focusfocus]

my favorites books

"bataille dans le ciel d'allemagne" (JG300 history)
"Guadalcanal,cactus air force vs imperial japanese navy...THE book about Guadalcanal!
Soleil levant sur l'australie

all in French but formidables!

JG26 (caldwell)...very good
Eagles of the southern sky (Tainan air group)
Desert prelude early clashes (italian vs RAF)

michel

[Richard Aigner]

"Exploding Fuel Tanks" by Richard L. Dunn

[Siko54]

Another vote for JG26 by Caldwell and Eagles Wings by Hajo Herrman. Both of which I bought as a young man from the now defunct Military and Aviation book club and which got me started on a lifelong interest/career in military aviation.

What really ignited my fascination with the Luftwaffe was “Bloody Biscay” by Chris Goss, I couldn’t really believe what an amazing and well illustrated story it was and I lapped it up. Many years later my friend Chris kindly helped me find out the fate of my Great Uncle who flew with KG54 and coincidentally, I was subsequently given a set of 248 Sqn pilot logbooks (now returned to the family) to a Beaufighter pilot who was featured in Bloody Biscay several times.

[alessandro bray]

For the Western Front , apart JG26, a mention for the first Prien book i have read, JG 53 vol 1 with a lot of first hand account.
For the MTO, MAW series.
For Eastern Front , Lipfert Diary
Pacific, Lundstrom First Team duo

Alessandro

[messcaster]

This one of the most sadistic thread I have ever participated! LOL !!!

Soooo difficult to chose! So many good books and wonderful authors that drove my pation through years.

But, as I don't want to repeat previously named titles, I'm going to put forward Michael Baumgartel outstanding work:

Das Jagdflugzeug Messerschmitt Bf 109. Technik, Eigenschaften, Leistung, Stückzahlen, Bewährung.

This is actually the most comprehensive book on the technical development of the 109.1032 pages divided into 41 chapters. Almost no illustrations. Pure scientific approach with 4850 footnotes but not only for reference. Also to explain many themes that were debated or are still open to debat.

The definitive book on the subject ? No. But a definitive turning point in the literature of the Bf 109 and a real stepping stone to build your knowledge on the subject.

I would have talke about Claringbould & Ingman books but as it is only one book... lol

[Bombphoon]

Originally Posted by NickM

Oh yes, just like Juha said top guns is a general unit history from start to finish, and the War Diary pretty much follows the same outline but each day is topped off with the tally of vic claims, losses as well as the alpha/chronological breakdown at the end of all pilots who claimed vics and all pilots who became casualties while serving with JG26

Thanks Nick, appreciated.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Not sure of everyone's age but since I am from a 1951 generation I still remember back in 1969 (?) or so
the immense thrill when I bought both Mason's Battle over Britain and Chris Shores
Fighters over the Desert.

To me, they stand as two Pillars of Books of what could be done when two very serious researchers
began on a journey that so many of You have followed ever since.

I still have both on my bookshelves and remember they both started me on a never ending interest
in aviation history

Is it really 50+ years ago?.
Nahh that can't be right, can it?

Cheers
Stig