Einsatz über den Wolken - Der Jagdflieger Gerhard Thyben

[edwest2]

Missed this one.

https://www.amazon.de/Jenny-Schuckar...66000199&psc=1

Usual disclaimer,
Ed

[leonventer]

Missed it too. Much obliged, Ed!

Leon Venter

[edwest2]

You're welcome Leon.

The following is a google translation of the book's description.

Gerhard Thyben's passion for flying was awakened as a child when one day his father gave him a blueprint for a model glider.

He gained his first experience in the air in the Flieger-HJ before he was drafted into the Luftwaffe in World War II. As a fighter pilot,

he made a name for himself with 157 dogfights and more than 380 missions in World War II and received numerous awards for his achievements.

Impressive original photos and documents bear witness to the young man's fascinating career.

[FalkeEins]

Originally Posted by edwest2

Missed this one.

..sadly you didn't miss a lot. Not surprised there are no reviews. "Impressive original photos and documents" is incredibly misleading advertising. There are a handful of small dark images, no documents and one full-page shot of a crop-spraying Piper Cub. Thyben's WWII stories end on page 163 (of 286 pages) and appear to mostly comprise a compilation of all those 70s and 80s articles previously published in Jägerblatt that he used to send in from Columbia. The story of his DKiG award as presented by Göring - " oh, 33 victories, not bad, but you must shoot down more bombers" - is re-told again. October 44- May 45 (Kurland) comprises about 30 pages.

" Guten Abend, Junge Frau, mein Name ist Gerd Thyben, darf ich Sie zum nächsten Tanz bitten?"

about as exciting as it gets...I'd send it back, but it was cheap.

[edwest2]

Thank you for that. I am quite disappointed regarding the book's description. In the U.S., false advertising carries a penalty. In this case, it may be naive enthusiasm or a case of actual false advertising.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

I thought we did have here a full biography, with interviews, and original memorablia from the Ace himself or from his family. Really sad to hear about the quality of the research.