Book recommendations needed

[NETSCAPE]

I plan on writing a bit of a story in the briefings for my upcoming ZG 26 campaign. Only in the last year or two have I really dug into detailed history of the air war (thanks to this game really). If I had to write a story about Heer, Waffen SS or even Kriegsmarine personnel the ideas would come quite naturally because I've read so many books and memoirs. When it comes to the air war it is a different story. I've only really read Stuka Pilot a few times along with some other accounts I could find online. 

 

I am sure most people want to read action packed accounts of the air war. Which is awesome no doubt. But I am in need of book recommendations that include details of  the simple every-day life of the pilots and LW personnel. I'm talking sleeping quarters, daily routines, food, drink, smoke, things they did to pass the time, non flight tasks, how mission briefings and planning took place, interaction with mechanics and other LW personnel etc... every detail I can muster. To paint a picture with words I first need to see that picture in my mind. 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

 

At some point I'll ask for beta/proof readers. If you feel you are an excellent writer shoot me a PM. It would be great to get some input from someone who has years of experience. I will write the story once the campaign is finished. 

Edited September 15, 2017 by NETSCAPE

[BlackSix]

These are the best books that include details of the simple every-day life of the pilots and LW personnel which I could read in Russian

 

1) Werner Girbig and Helmut Lipfert "The War Diary of Hauptmann Helmut Lipfert"

https://www.amazon.com/War-Diary-Hauptmann-Helmut-Lipfert/dp/0887404464

 

2) Peter Henn "The last battle"

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Battle-Peter-Henn/dp/070410007X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505477282&sr=1-1&keywords=Peter+Henn+The+last+battle

 

3) Johannes Steinhoff "Messerschmitts Over Sicily: Diary of a Luftwaffe Fighter Commander"

https://www.amazon.com/Messerschmitts-Over-Sicily-Luftwaffe-Commander/dp/0811731596/ref=sr_1_sc_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505477396&sr=1-3-spell&keywords=Jonannes+Steinhoff

[NETSCAPE]

Thanks a bunch BlackSix. Nice, Helmut Lipfert's books was already on my to-buy list anyways! 

[ARM505]

I just finished 'A Higher Call' detailing the Franz Stigler/Charlie Brown story, and while it doesn't go into a lot of detail, it does give some insight into the pilots mentality, especially towards the end of the war (the 'we were the Luftwaffe!' feeling he describes while in JV44), and their attitude to politics (dismissive). I thought it added something. I'm re-reading the slightly more dry 'The First and the Last' by Galland (which should still be read, but deals a bit more with strategic questions).

[Multimetal]

Stackpole has a few good books about lesser-known Luftwaffe fliers.  I am reading their "Luftwaffe Aces" right now, it goes into quite a bit of detail about a pilot's daily routine on the Eastern front, and how hectic it could be as they generally operated close to the front lines and had to move around quite a bit.

[OrLoK]

A Higher Call: The Incredible True Story of Heroism and Chivalry during the Second World War

 

is a great read. Indeed the main selling point story arc actually is only a tiny amount of the book and is really just another anecdote (although in that one you get the view from both sides). Most of it is about the LVV pilots training and doing day to day sorties etc. A damn good read. Enough technically to keep the rivet counters happy and  enough to keep the amateurs like me hooked.

 

Plus it's a true story which is astounding.

[r153]

jg26 war Diary volume one 1939-1942   and volume two

 

Donald caldwell

 

https://www.amazon.com/JG26-War-Diary-Vol-1939-1942/dp/1898697523/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505530668&sr=8-1&keywords=Donald+caldwell+jg26++war+diary

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/JG26-War-Diary-Vol-1943-1945/dp/1898697868/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RRHS62W048FMNKA3ZDY5

 

awesome books-  full of combat reports and the unit's official diary on operational matters

Edited September 17, 2017 by r153

[von_Tom_server]

 

I have a book that explains how briefings were given and certain squadron tactics were organised. Formations and so on.

 

Problem is it's in storage for another week or so and I can't remember the name of it. When do you need to know by?

 

Von Tom

[NETSCAPE]

I appreciate all the recommendations guys. Looks like I need to prioritize and execute. *whips credit card out* 

 

I have a book that explains how briefings were given and certain squadron tactics were organised. Formations and so on.

Problem is it's in storage for another week or so and I can't remember the name of it. When do you need to know by?

Von Tom

 

I still have plenty of work to do on the campaign itself. So time isn't too big of an issue...but maybe it is if I'm reading a pile of books.

[von_Tom_server]

 

 

Got it

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Luftwaffe-Combat-Reports-1939-45-x/dp/1781592136

 

This isn't really full of combat reports but operational matters.

 

von Tom

[Retnek]

There are just a few books by German veterans I recommend gladly, this one is the first:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Logbook-Reminiscences-1938-2006-Gunther-Rall/dp/3980793583

 

Check the publications by

 

http://neunundzwanzigsechs.de/main.php

 

That's the best you can get from the German side, well made, well edited, very high standards. Except the guy, who made the web-site ... be sure to check the German flag to see all the titles.

Edited September 16, 2017 by 216th_Retnek

[NETSCAPE]

There are just a few books by German veterans I recommend gladly, this one is the first:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Logbook-Reminiscences-1938-2006-Gunther-Rall/dp/3980793583

 

Check the publications by

 

http://neunundzwanzigsechs.de/main.php

 

That's the best you can get from the German side, well made, well edited, very high standards. Except the guy, who made the web-site ... be sure to check the German flag to see all the titles.

 

Dang... cheapest I saw that book for was $320 on ebay + shipping across an ocean. I don't think that's in my budget for a campaign that might not make me any money. heh. 

I wish this was in English: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buch-Johannes-Kaufmann-Meine-Flugberichte-1935-1945/262839071110

[Retnek]

Rall's book was translated, but it's a small publisher. It's always a financial risk to print such a book in large numbers ... and there are books signed by Rall, those might be interesting for collectors paying that price.

 

  I very much hope they come up with a reprint or a second edition. Since Rall and Wolfrum (see: https://www.amazon.de/Unbekannte-Pflicht-Erinnerungen-Kunstflieger-1923-2009/dp/3981161548) both were fighters in Southern Russia 1943 it would be fine for a lot of readers to read first hand impressions.

Edited September 16, 2017 by 216th_Retnek

[NETSCAPE]

Sorry Retnek. I posted that link wishing for english translation... but i posted so soon it combined the link with my previous post... so sorry to confuse you but the link is to a completely different book that I've heard really good things about. "Johannes Kaufmann - Meine Flugberichte 1935 - 1945"

[Retnek]

Ah, ok, that title I've seen, but I don't own it. Haven't seen any reference for it, could you please point on it? it's quite rare and has always been too expensive for a buying blindly.

[NETSCAPE]

I discovered it on this Finnish guys blog: http://juhansotahistoriasivut.weebly.com/my-blog/some-of-my-favorite-memoirs-of-wwii-pilots