Introduction

Defense of the Reich was just that—defending targets in Germany proper. When American bombers began attacking occupied Europe in the summer of 1942, many American B-17 and B-24 heavy bombers, Viermots (‘four-engines’) to the Luftwaffe, went down. These were not considered Defense of the Reich kills. In fact, a Luftwaffe Jagdflieger might tally amongst his kills both Defense of the Reich and non-Defense of the Reich Viermots. This book is not about just any Fw 190s pilots who shot down USAAF heavies, only those who did so in the apocalyptic Defense of the Reich campaign.

contents

Possessing one the largest collections of original German-language literature from World War Two, Osprey’s primary Luftwaffe author/artist John Weal brings this hard fought campaign to life. This is his 26th title for Osprey.

If you want to book profiling specific pilots, battles, and Focke-Wulfs of this campaign, then this is the book for you. This book delves into the origins, organization, history, milestones, and the lives of the defending German pilots who hurled themselves into increasingly powerful American bomber formations. You will find names familiar to almost every Luftwaffe student: “Pips” Priller, Egon Mayer, Heinz Bär, and Walter Oesau. You will also meet obscure early Viermot aces and casualties: Erwin Clausen, and Hans Laun.

From the initial scattered Jagdstaffeln and their amalgamation into the first Reich defence
Jagdgruppe I./JG 1, to the ultimate incorporation of part of almost every Jagdgruppen, Mr. Weal weaves together this complex story. His level of detail is extraordinary, often linking individual pilots to specific events: the first USAAF ‘heavy’ downed over Europe was B-17F Southern Belle of the 97th BG, shot down by Gruppenkommandeur II./JG 26 Karl-Heinz “Conny” Meyer. In many cases individual aircraft serial numbers and aircraft codes are provided. Touched upon is the Luftwaffe points system for awarding decorations; illuminated are German terms, e.g., Gefechtsverband, a massed ‘battle formation’, and Herausschuss, literally a ‘shoot-out’-- the damaging of a bomber so that it fell out of formation. The growing ferocity of the campaign is understood by the loss ratios of the defenders and attackers. On 3 November 1943, Feldwebel Rathenow was shot down by P-38s on their second appearance over the Reich; he had downed an A-20 during the first 8th Air Force attack of the war. By the end of May 1944, another eight Focke-Wulf pilots had gained Viermot acedom, eight had downed 10 or more, six were credited with 15 , another reached 20 heavy bomber kills, and the leading pair each claimed their 25th.

While many Jagdgruppen eventually shouldered Defence of the Reich duties, the ‘legacy’ units were JG 1 and their spawn JG 11, with JG 2 and JG 26 both becoming part of the effort. I am very familiar with JG 2 and JG 26, but not JG 1 nor JG 11. Their candy striped and checkered cowlings have fascinated me since first becoming aware of them only several years ago. And the Tatzelwurm has long been a favorite Jagdflieger insignia of mine. This title is already on my favorite’s shelf!

Fw 190 Defence of the Reich Aces is presented to you in five sections and 96 pages:
1. GUARDIANS OF THE NORTHERN SHORES
2. SIGNAL VICTORIES AND GROWING LOSSES
3. ‘BIG WEEK’, BERLIN AND OIL
4. THE LONG ROAD TO DEFEAT
5. APPENDICES
• COLOR PLATES COMMENTARY
• INDEX

Graphics

The dramatic cover art is by noted Osprey artist Mark Postlethwaite. Enjoy Mr. Weal’s expert airbrushing talent through his 32 color plates of Fw 190s. In addition, his immense personal collection of photographs reveal to us images seldom seen, if ever, in print. These are fascinating and poignant images of some of Germany’s youth during a horrific time. For the historian and modeler, this book is an absolute treasure of source material!

conclusion

It is difficult for me to find any complaint with this work. The text is very detailed, very readable, and captivating. The illustrations are top-notch. To me, the wealth of photographs alone makes this book worth owning.

Whether you are a historian or modeler, Fw 190 Defence of the Reich Aces is certain to please you. With the amount of authoritative detailed information, clarity of delivery, and abundance of outstanding photographs and images, I absolutely recommend this book!

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