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by Norbert Hannig and edited and translated by John Weal.
Softcover (6.0×9.3 inches). 212 pages. 2022 reprint of 2004 book.
Subtitle: From the Eastern Front to the Defence of the Homeland
Memoir of a young WWII Luftwaffe pilot from glider training to jet fighters covers his life during wartime. Lots of dogfighting explained, especially about the post-training learning process under the wing of experienced German fighter pilots.
Interesting point: he purposely made sure he got a lower grade on communications tests because high scorers were sent to bomber units and he wanted to be a fighter pilot. This wasn’t the only subterfuge he used in the military to obtain better positions.
As his score improved, so he was transferred around the various fronts, including a stint as an instructor, the Western Front, back to the Eastern Front, and finally taking jet training. The latter apparently made him a valuable commodity to the Soviets, who kept him around instead of sending him to a USSR labor camp.
The book contains 86 black and white photos, two black and white maps, and one black and white illustration.
It’s a smooth read about learning to fly and gaining enough experience not only to survive, but to recognize aerial opportunities. He also had a bit of luck along the way, but some of it was created by him.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
