Recommended literature on Eastern Front (VVS) aviation?

[LemonQuat]

I've been reading Glantz's "When Titans Clashed" recently to get a better understanding of the theater in a big picture sense, but I really want to dig into some squadron level or personnel memoir style literature to get a feeling of what life was like on the Russian side of the war. We have plenty of fascinating choices to browse that offer the Luftwaffe perspective on the eastern front, but a brief search for similar material on their VVS counterparts turns up little.

Does anyone have any recommended reading for someone who wants to dive more in-depth on the VVS experience?

[SCG_Tzigy]

https://www.amazon.com/Over-Fields-Fire-Sturmovik-Eastern/dp/1910294748#ace-y8881249860

 

one of my favorites 

[Hanu]

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Star-Against-Swastika-Eastern/dp/1848328036

 

I have this, but at least I get the feeling that it has been censored/edited a lot as there are major gaps in the story. But it is still a decent book.

[cardboard_killer]

In English, the Black Cross/Red Star series is excellent, but unfinished--Volume 6 is being written now I think. It's expensive.

 

 

[busdriver]

@LemonQuat

 

Attack of the Airacobras

Red Phoenix Rising

I have a well worn first edition of what is best described as "the Party line," The Soviet Air Force in World War II: The Official History

 

If you live in the States, you're welcome to all three...gratis. Just make a donation to a local animal shelter. PM me if interested.

[ROCKET_KNUT]

@LemonQuat 

As for the memoir style literature you mentioned:

I know of:

1. Pokryshkin, "Himmel des Krieges" 

2. Woroshejkin, "Jagdflieger" and

3. Koshedub, "Ich greife an".

All three had been translated into german ages ago. I don´t know, if there are translations available in english.

If you are interested in soviet aviation before, during and after WW2, I highly recommend Mark Gallai, "Über unsichtbare Barrieren".

He was a test pilot with 124 different a/c in his logbook. And he is the most talented writer of them all. Again, sadly I don´t know of english translations. 

[LemonQuat]

6 hours ago, ROCKET_KNUT said:

@LemonQuat 

As for the memoir style literature you mentioned:

I know of:

1. Pokryshkin, "Himmel des Krieges" 

2. Woroshejkin, "Jagdflieger" and

3. Koshedub, "Ich greife an".

All three had been translated into german ages ago. I don´t know, if there are translations available in english.

If you are interested in soviet aviation before, during and after WW2, I highly recommend Mark Gallai, "Über unsichtbare Barrieren".

He was a test pilot with 124 different a/c in his logbook. And he is the most talented writer of them all. Again, sadly I don´t know of english translations. 

Disappointing that many of these memoirs will likely never see western audiences due to lack of translation. I appreciate the suggestions, though.

Edited February 26, 2020 by LemonQuat

[Burdokva]

Dragons on Bird Wings: The Combat History of the 812th Fighter Air Regiment: Volume 1

 

The only Soviet unit history available in English. One of the best aviation books that I own and not only for the rarity of the subject - excellent and thorough research by two Russian authors, well illustrated, lots of high quality photos (most never printed before), colour maps, charts. The only downside is that the book is softcover but the print and paper quality are excellent.

 

The 812th was one of the elite Soviet Fighter Regiments (similar in size to a USAAF Fighter Squadron) having achived over 500 air-to-air kills and more than 200 enemy planes destroyed on the ground. They flew exclusivelly on Yaks of various types. Never received the Guards honorific as neither some of the senior pilots nor the 3rd Fighter Corps (Fighter Wing) commanding officer Gen. Savitskiy were on good terms with the Communist party.

 

Covers the period 1942, when 812 IAP was activated, up to the end of May 1944 with the liberation of Crimea, so it covers two of the titles we have - BoS and BoK (the 812 IAP is present in both).

 

Shame only Volume I was published...

 

The entirety was printed in Russian aviation magazines in the early 2000s but I think one of the authors passed away, and Aviaology (the English publisher) went out of business. I would instantly crowd fund the second volume...

Edited April 2, 2020 by Burdokva

[Retnek]

On 2/25/2020 at 10:26 PM, ROCKET_KNUT said:

@LemonQuat 

...

 

1. Pokryshkin, "Himmel des Krieges" 

2. Woroshejkin, "Jagdflieger" and

3. Koshedub, "Ich greife an".

...

Has there been any well edited re-publishing of the books c.a. after the fall of the Iron Curtain? The editions I know were translated and published in the former GDR. They had to follow the "socialist" publishing code - makes the reading a bit tedious. Ruins the use as a source very much, too. But a well edited re-publication or (dream on) a critical edition would fill a gap. Not that there's much hope, but if someone has a hint?