German Fighter Ace - Hans-Joachim Marseille

[Uncle Sam]

German Fighter Ace - Hans-Joachim Marseille
by Franz Kurowski



This book is both a biography of the famous fighter ace Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Marseille, holder of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds with 158 victories, and a brief unit history of his unit, Jagdgeschwader. 27 during his service in it during his brief but extraordinary lifetime.

It starts with a very brief chapter on his early life, then goes on to how he was not promoted because of his admirable rebel spirit and kept as an Oberfahnrich, his first few flights, kills and many shoot-downs of his own plane during the Battle of Britain. The main part of the book follows his transfer to North Africa, his troubled start in the air war and how slowly, Hauptmann, later Major (and Oberst in the Bundeswehr) Eduard Neumann, commander of the JG. 27, improved his character and skills, and then how he won his dramatic victories, received his awards, his visits back to Germany, and how he eventually died. The book also covers the actions of his comrades in the III. Gruppe JG. 27, etc. It also covers his personal life as well.

This book is well illustrated throughout with many photographs and is one of the best of Mr Kurowski's, with considerable research and correspondence with those who were there. It is a fitting tribute to one of the best pilots in WWII and a brave and honorable man.

K