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Acclaimed aviation historian Erik Mombeeck has sent us details of his two latest titles. The next Luftwaffe Gallery is once again richly illustrated by Thierry Dekker, while Vol. 4 of the French-language study of JG 2 will contain much hitherto unpublished material.

"Dear friends, readers and fellow researchers

... it is with very great pleasure that I'm writing to tell you of the publication - within 3-4 weeks - of the second volume in the Lufwaffe Gallery 'special' series. This new volume is devoted to JG 77, a colourful Geschwader in more ways than one - and not just because of the range of emblems and insignia displayed on its Bf 109s. JG 77 saw hard-fought action on all fronts (Germany, Norway, The Netherlands, France, Greece, USSR, North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Romania...) and counted among its ranks many successful fighter aces (Bar, Gollob, Mucheberg, Ihlefeld, Steinhoff, Reinert...).

As was the case with Volume 1 dedicated to the Abbeville Boys of JG 26 - sold out in a matter of months and now a collector's item- this new volume features 96 landscape A-4 pages illustrated with 34 of Thierry Dekker's superb artworks, some 234 photos (many previously unpublished) and a large number of newly translated first person accounts from Geschwader veterans. As you can imagine, this new publication is the result of many years of painstaking research.

By the way, I'd also like to confirm the imminent publication of volume 4 of the the chronicle of JG 2 "Richthofen" – " Dans le Ciel de France" (in French only - there no English version currently planned). Volume 4 is devoted to the year 1943 and comprises 233 pages, about 350 photos, mostly unpublished and gathered from the albums of Geschwader veterans. In addition to the many first person accounts and excerpts from correspondence, the book includes a multitude of details of the fighting (including on the Allied side), losses and victories, and the daily lives of the "Richthofener" on the aerodromes of Beaumont Brest/Guipavas, Vannes/Meucon, Lille/Vendeville, Triqueville, Conches, Saint-André-de-l'Eure, Bernay, Gael, Octeville, Evreux, Poix, Vitry-en-Artois, Caen/Carpiquet, Calais/Marck and many others.

One change to note from previous volumes; the limited print run of these new books! I desperately need to create some space before the end of the year and thus have drastically cut back the numbers of copies ordered from the printer. If you have any interest in acquiring one or both of these volumes you need to let me know as soon as possible - no need to send any payment yet, I will contact you once the books arrive here (thus, don’t worry if I do not reply immediately). But as I say do please let me know you'd like copies to avoid disappointment.

Prices as follows:
Special LuGa JG 77 = 29,9 Euros (33 USD)
JG 2/4 = 49,9 euros (55 USD)

(please note, if buying several books, we may be able to come to an arrangement!)

Here's hoping we have a decent August

Aeronautically yours

Erik Mombeeck"

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