Day Fighters (Hunters of the Reich)

After more than fifty-five years of peace in Europe, it is understandably difficult for subsequent generations, who have not experienced war directly, to fully understand the motivation of those involved. Young men, driven only by a sense of duty and patriotism, regardless of their nationality, have almost always been drawn in to fight these conflicts and this is especially true for those former members of the Luftwaffe who fought during the Second World War. Some of Germany’s top fighter pilots joined the Luftwaffe before the outbreak of the war but most were drawn into the conflict after September 1939 and flew not for political or ideological reasons but in order to protect their families and homes. Following six years of bitter fighting, on a multitude of fronts, only a lucky few remained. It is therefore important, so history can record an accurate account of their achievements and sacrifices, that the stories of those who survived be recorded for future generations. Following the author’s previous book in the Hunters of the Reich’ series on Night Fighters’ this is a biographical account of five German day fighter pilots. The author details the lives and careers of these men in an objective and unbiased manner without prejudice or political judgment. Each biography has been supplemented by a large number of photographs taken mostly from the pilot’s own private collections. The text and photographs take you chronologically through each of their pre-war lives and then concentrates, in particular, on their careers as fighter pilots, detailing the training, the bitter and sometimes desperate fighting, followed by the emptiness of defeat. And then finally, how each of these men made their way in the post-war world after the defeat of Germany.