in conjunction with "The RAF Battle of Britain Fighter Pilots' Kitbag" by the same author:
An interesting look at the kit that Luftwaffe fighter pilots went to war with during the Battle.
They were way ahead of the RAF in development of most of their equipment, especially aircrew and life saving equipment after much more fighting experience during the Spanish Civil War and the Polish, Norwegian and French campaigns.
It contains many photographs of original equipment in current collections and period photographs of the pilots with the equipment and uniforms worn, There were many different variations of equipment and uniforms, which include private purchase items, which made pilots mix and match to what best suited him.
The most interesting for me is that the black leather jackets seen so often in pictures were all private purchase, yet this is iconic when thinking of the German Aces.
Highly recommended if you are interested in the Battle of Britain and World Warequipment, Naturally, not being a fan of the Nazi party, I was dubious going into this book, I wasn't particularly interested in what the Luftwaffe used to fight the Allied Forces, but I thought I should take a look anyway, I'm glad I did. It was very interesting to look at the pictures of the actual equipment used and to read the stories behind why some equipment had been changed, or discontinued.
Like any other force, the kit bag had been evolving throughout the entirety of the war, so it was interesting to see how it had changed from the beginning to the end.
If you are a fan of WWII, I would definitely recommend this book, as it is helpful to round out your knowledge, rather than just focus on one aspect.
Reichsmarschall Gring told Hitler that it would take less than a month for his muchvaunted Luftwaffe to conquer the RAF and pave the way for the German invasion of Great Britain.
His prediction was to prove disastrously wrong, but for four long months his pilots and aircrew fought for their lives in the skies above the UK.
From their bases in continental Europe, the Luftwaffe's fighter pilots escorted the great bomber fleets that sought to destroy the RAF's airfields and installations, and tackled the Spitfires and Hurricanes deployed to defend Britain's towns and cities.
Whilst much has been written on
the titanic struggle for supremacy fought throughout the summer ofand of the men and machines of both sides, little attention has been paid to what the pilots wore and carried with them in the air.
All the objects that a Luftwaffe fighter pilot was issued with during the Battle of Britain are explored in this book in highdefinition color photographs, showing everything from the differing uniforms, to headgear, personal weapons, gloves, goggles, parachute packs and the essential life jacket.
Each item is fully described and its purpose and use explained,
Fly with the Messerschmitt Bfs and Bfs across the Channel and see what the Luftwaffe aircrew wore as they took on Fighter Command in what was justly called the Battle of Britain.
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