Black Cross / Red Star News

[robbiec]

Got mine direct from Christer using PayPal. Paid, shipped next working day and arrived within the week. 

Quality of the book itself is marvellous, paper has an expensive smell and touch. I'm going to take my time reading this, treat it as an indulgence.

Vol 5 is already budgeted in for me personally. Sometimes you have to say screw Amazon and look after the little guy. 

S! 

R

[JohnHolmes]

On 2/3/2020 at 8:17 AM, TRRA15 said:

I'd still waiting for my copy of Volume 4...sent payment 4 months ago.

Same thing happened to me. I contacted him and he sent out another copy straight away. 

[TRRA15]

On 2/2/2020 at 4:05 PM, ZachariasX said:

Write him again, usually he's quick in following up on such matters.

 

On 2/6/2020 at 5:41 PM, JohnHolmes said:

Same thing happened to me. I contacted him and he sent out another copy straight away. 

Thanks for the advice. Very good. I just received a reply stating the book will be sent.

[=gRiJ=Roman-]

I am waiting for the updated versions of 1, 2 and 3 before getting 5

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

The update schedule for those 1-3 will be in between the releases 5 thru 8. Yes, 8 volumes of goodness! So in short release would be like 5, 1, 6, 2, 7, 3, 8.

[=gRiJ=Roman-]

Ok, I see.

I have read 1 and 2, then I bought 4, but I don't want to read it before I get hold of 3, for which I was waiting for the updated version ....

[ZachariasX]

14 minutes ago, =gRiJ=Roman- said:

Ok, I see.

I have read 1 and 2, then I bought 4, but I don't want to read it before I get hold of 3, for which I was waiting for the updated version ....

Let me ruin it for you: The Germans lose.

[JG5_Schuck]

On 1/27/2020 at 4:39 PM, LLv34_Flanker said:

S!

 

 Good news is that after Volume 5 there will be updated versions of Volumes 1-3! So good times ahead. 

 

I have copies of 1-4, it will cost me a fortune to get them replaced with updated copies!! 

Any chance the updated information can be released separately?

 

 

[ZachariasX]

5 hours ago, JG5_Schuck said:

 

I have copies of 1-4, it will cost me a fortune to get them replaced with updated copies!! 

Any chance the updated information can be released separately?

The books are not expensive and extremely good print and binding quality. It is well worth buying the book. Like this you are also a better help to Christer for creating further volumes.

[LLv34_Flanker]

S!

 

I have talked to Mr. Bergström over phone and he said the old editions are way too expensive. This was because of the publisher at the time etc. Their price will be less than those sold these days.

[Grancesc]

I just finished reading Vol 4 that covers the period from Stalingrad to Kuban. It’s a must read for IL-2 BoX simers who want to learn more about the aerial clashes between Russian and German aviators. Tactical situation, locations, time and the units involved as well as their successes and losses have been investigated masterfully. Christer's thorough research shines through in this book. The author brings alive those that took part, taking viewpoints from involved pilots, their commanders and contemporary witnesses. It brings the reader so close to the action that you could almost share firsthand the excitement and fear of the pilots. Maps and photographs are excellent as are the included aircraft color profiles. I'm really looking forward to Vol 5.

[=gRiJ=Roman-]

Maybe a Kindle edition of the book would make them more affordable ...

[Pajeka]

 

Guys, just a quick update from Christer regarding “Black Cross/Red Star Volume 5” plus other information - received this evening.

 

“Hi,

Hope everyone stays healthy and cool! Here follows some entertainment and self-educational tips in these self-quarantine times - documentaries, book tips, and more.

The manuscript of ”Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5” is soon completed. So for those of you who have pre-ordered or promised crowdfunding, I would like you now to send in your payment, if you haven’t done it yet. Please transfer your payment to my Paypal account:

vaktelforlag@gmail.com

With canceled (postponed) lectures and battlefield tours this spring, I have time like never before to write my book "Black Cross / Red Star", Volume 5. See:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-5-great-air-battles-kuban-kursk-april-july-1943/

All the chapters that deal with the events during the air war have now been written. What remains to be done is to edit those chapters, write the introduction chapter and the ”conclusions” chapter, and then select photos and write the photo captions.

In ”Black Cross/Red Star, Volume 5”, I describe the dramatic turning point in the Eastern Front air war, how it became much tougher the Luftwaffe pilots in the encounters with Soviet pilots. But there are also depictions of incredible successes for the German fighter pilots - where, for example, the fighter group III./JG 52 achieved 126 air victories without a single loss in April 1943. Although the Germans overestimated their success by close to 200%, it testifies to a huge superiority in the air battles.

And then the turn came suddenly. The chapter where I describe this is not without reason called "The Russian Air Force is doing whatever it wants over Krymskaya" – which is a quotation from a German report.

When Alfred Grislawski found out that an old recruit buddy had retrained himself into a fighter pilots and came to JG 52 at the Kuban Bridgehead in April 1943, he was very concerned. “You stand with one leg in the grave, Helmut!” he said to him. A few weeks later, Helmut Kabisch was dead.

In the first chapters of "Black Cross / Red Star", Volume 5 I describe the well-known but hitherto completely undocumented air battle over the Kuban Bridgehead in April-May 1943 as detailed as the best books on the Battle of Britain. I have full access to all German AND all Soviet primary sources on that air battle, and I have interviewed many of the pilots from both sides who survived the air battle.

If you haven’t done it yet, you can pre-order a personally signed copy of the book for USD 60 or crowdfund it with USD 100.

If you do not have "Black Cross / Red Star", Volume 4, it can be ordered here:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-4-stalingrad-kuban-1942-1943/
Would you like to order a personally signed copy of Vol. 4, so send me an email at:

forlag@vaktelforlag.se

For those of you who have it, I have index in pdf that I can email if you wish. Just email me at forlag@vaktelforlag.se and I will send.

Vol. 4 was published last fall, vol. 5 is coming this summer, and this winter will follow the very updated new edition of Vol. 1. Then comes much updated new editions of Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 in 2021, so that we are "catching up". Then the series continues. I expect it to be eight volumes.

Please check out my other books in English here:
 
https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt-kategori/english/

Have you noticed my book ”Operation Barbarossa 1941 : Hitler against Stalin”, for instance? See:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/operation-barbarossa-1941/


To order the book:

For a personally signed copy of the hardcover edition:
Transfer US $ 59 (or 53 EUR) to my Paypal account vaktelforlag@gmail.com
and send your address to Christer at vaktelforlag@gmail.com
Plus postage:
25 USD or 23 EUR


Finally, I have put together links to some documentaries about World War II on Youtube. Fill a glass with beer (or similar), sink down in your sofa, and watch the documentaries on your flat screen TV and enjoy:

Unique archival Video of Russian Air Forces WW2 1939 - 1945
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRC6yUFcoPY


Ilyushin IL-2 Sturmovik - Soviet ground-attack aircraft
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbZkVjdTTEA

The Battle of Kursk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXSh0JFwDq0


6th Army’s Rations at Stalingrad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=occOOTk6OKY

Soviet Defensive Tactics - Kursk 43
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxGKhGLUpNI

91st BG B-17F Miss Ouachita shot down by Heinz Bär & Dame Satan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS7SU0MXuDg


Fritz Ungar, JG 54, JG 26 shot down B-17 Flying Fortress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUbC99Tik88


Fritz Ungar, Fw 190 D-9 vs. Typhoon IB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8adflxejGk


Flying Fortress Crash Landing (1944)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fHPFQffwmY


Air Force Aerial Combat Footage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJooYDwvWw0


Get Going - The US Mission to Capture Hitler's No. 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkC7fTVbWck


2 SS Panthers vs. 21 US Shermans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86K0ncTkAkA


The Monster of Raseiniai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zxNg-81m_Q


Russian WW2 Women Snipers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_qnd839mQs


Nuremberg Executions 1946 - What Happened to the Bodies?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At7IA19fXHc

12 Most Amazing Unexpected Military Finds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRSZplGKaMc


Operation Mincemeat WWII deception prior to invading Italyby Ian Fleming Full
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBk3sSUB5X4


Sex And The Swastika (World War 2 Documentary)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNCIGl1OpMs


The REAL Reason why Hitler HAD to start WW2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQGMjDQ-TJ8&t=43s


The MAIN Reason Why Germany Lost WW2 - OIL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVo5I0xNRhg



Take care, everyone!

All the best,”
 

Christer Bergström

Vaktel Förlag

Box 3027

S-630 03 Eskilstuna

Sweden

 

 

[sevenless]

I like the "new" direction this has taken. Vol.4 delivers a lot more of the good stuff than Vol.3 has done. Can´t wait for Vol.5.

[von_Tom]

On 4/14/2020 at 8:52 PM, sevenless said:

I like the "new" direction this has taken. Vol.4 delivers a lot more of the good stuff than Vol.3 has done. Can´t wait for Vol.5.

 

 

I have the privilege of checking some of the text, and volume 5 is shaping up to be even better than volume 4.  The information is fascinating and I'll say this for Mr Bergstrom, his text (from an English-reading perspective) is far more narrative and flows much better.  As well as being fascinating it is also enjoyable reading.

 

As a Brit I am struggling with the US spelling and punctuation rules though.  ?

 

von Tom

[FlyingH]

He is working on his series about the airwar on the eastern front. If all goes as he planes he´ll be able to release the 5 book this summer. Yu can give him support by going to his site on the matter here:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-5-great-air-battles-kuban-kursk-april-july-1943/

[Pajeka]

Hi, Although this latest mail is exclusively intended for the crowdfunders of Black Cross Red Star Vol 5, I’m sure Christer will be happy for you to get a better understanding of how work on Vol. 5 is progressing and his future Publishing plans.
 

As this mail is Primarily intended for crowdfunders, I did not think it appropriate to provide the link to the PDF excerpt.

 

 

 

“Hi, my dear and important supporters!

This email goes exclusively to the crowdfunders of Black Cross Red Star Vol. 5.

The book will soon be completed. I hope to be able to deliver it to you next month. Naturally, you will, as a crowdfunder, be the first ones to which I will send the book.

After Volume 5, I will finish my work on my book ”Stalingrad – An Epic Battle Revisited”. See:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/stalingrad-epic-battle-revisited/

I have worked on that book for many years, and it will be finished in a couple of months, to be published later this year.

I will also finish the new and heavily expanded edition of Black Cross Red Star Vol. 1. See:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-1-operation-barbarossa/

There you can see the front cover, with a new artwork by Jerry Boucher.

That edition of Volume 1 that is so heavily updated and expanded that it more or less is a completely new book.

I attach another excerpt from Black Cross Red Star Volume 5 exclusively for you, my dear crowdfunders. Please note that it is just a pdf made from the word manuscript, and I have added the photos myself only for you. This is not the way the book will look like when it has been laid out by a professional graphic designer.

Please continue to spread the word about this book.

In great appreciation!

All the best,

Christer Bergström

Vaktel Förlag

Box 3027

S-630 03 Eskilstuna

Sweden”

Edited May 9, 2020 by Pajeka
Spelling

[Pajeka]

Hi,  A new update from Christer regarding Black Cross Red Star, Volume 5. Again It is primarily intended exclusively for crowdfunders, but i’m sure he is happy for you to understand how his projects are progressing.
 

In accordance with Christers wishes - the maps and index are not attached.

 

“Hello, dear valuable crowdfunders,

 

Here is my next email uniquely for you who are crowdfunding Black Cross Red Star, Volume 5.

 

I finished the 19th and last chapter of Black Cross Red Star, Volume 5 the day before yesterday. Now I am working on the photos and expect to send everything to the graphic designer next week.

 

The aircraft color profiles by Jim Laurier are all completed, and so are the maps. I attach some of the maps for Volume 5 especially for you. Please keep them between you and me.

 

I also attach the index for Volume 4.

If you continue to spread the word about the Black Cross Red Star books and my forthcoming book on Stalingrad book on the Internet, I am most grateful for that too! I can assure you that many, many have heard about my books through your channels on the Internet!


People can find more information about the books here:

 

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-5-great-air-battles-kuban-kursk-april-july-1943/

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-1-operation-barbarossa/

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/stalingrad-epic-battle-revisited/

Anyone interested in information about these books is welcome to email me at vaktelforlag@gmail.com

 

Please don't hesitate to put my email address on the Internet, in emails to your friends etc.

Your great support is not only valuable because of the resource that it gives me to produce these books in high quality, but it also has a very valuable effect in that it encourages me to work hard to finish these books for you. Thank you so very much! ?

All the best,

Christer Bergström

Vaktel Förlag

Box 3027

S-630 03 Eskilstuna

Sweden“

[busdriver]

I have an extra crowdfunded copy of BC/RS Volume 5 to giveaway. I've coordinated this with Christer Bergström. The book will be mailed directly to you from Christer, but I will send the name and mailing address of the winner to him.

 

So here's the deal. If you would like this copy, simply reply in this thread with a SINGLE screenshot of your choice. Correction, mention that you would like the book in your reply as well. I'll pick a winner over the weekend. The winner will have to PM me with their details.

 

 

[NiiranenVR]

I'll be very happy to have the book , and I can read it in English and Swedish 

[=gRiJ=Roman-]

I would love to have it. I have Vol 1, 2 and 4. I am missing also 3 ... waiting for the republishing ....

 

Edited May 17, 2020 by =gRiJ=Roman-

[Chief_Mouser]

I've been waiting for this book and would love to win it. Great giveaway, busdriver. ? Cheers.

 

[HR_Tofolo]

Hi,

 

I'd love to have this book in my library. Thanks for your kind giveaway.

 

There goes some sturmoviks giving away too

[von_Tom]

 

This is a generous offer.

 

It's a good read. 

 

von Tom

[Ajcrou]

Hello,

 

I discovered his books with the one about Stalingrad. I bought the other volumes published by the British publisher Ian Allan (Barbarossa, Kursk, Bagration). Very good readings. I also bought his book about the Battle of Britain (one of the written sources I use for my research).

I am currently finishing reading volume 4 of Black Cross / Red Star (Unfortunately, I was too young when the previous volumes were published).

 

I look forward to reading volume five when it becomes available. I would love to win it (thanks for your generous giveaway).

 

 

[busdriver]

@216th_Cat the copy of BC/RS Volume 5 is yours. PM me your name, email and postal address. I'll forward that to Christer. Hopefully he'll email you (or I will) to confirm he has your information.

 

Cheers

 

 

[Chief_Mouser]

Wow busdriver, thankyou so much! I am so chuffed about winning ?. PM about to be sent. Cheers. ?

[LukeFF]

Hey all,

 

For you in the USA who have ordered directly from Christer, how long did it take for the package to arrive? Christer emailed me on the 15th of May to let me know the package was posted, but as of today the 29th I've yet to receive it. Thanks!

[sevenless]

21 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

Hey all,

 

For you in the USA who have ordered directly from Christer, how long did it take for the package to arrive? Christer emailed me on the 15th of May to let me know the package was posted, but as of today the 29th I've yet to receive it. Thanks!

 

Dunno if this helps, but last time I ordered some books from a bookstore at Baltimore, Maryland, US (29/01/2020) it took 4 weeks for them to arrive in Germany (27/02/2020). So my guess would be for your book from sveden to travel about 4 weeks as well.

[ZachariasX]

1 hour ago, LukeFF said:

Hey all,

 

For you in the USA who have ordered directly from Christer, how long did it take for the package to arrive? Christer emailed me on the 15th of May to let me know the package was posted, but as of today the 29th I've yet to receive it. Thanks!

 

I just recently had him send two books to Switzerland. It apears that in the current situations shipping companies are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. It took sbout three weeks what should be a couple of days. DHL messed it up totally. You have a tracking number? 

[Retnek]

44 minutes ago, sevenless said:

 So my guess would be for your book from sveden to travel about 4 weeks as well.

Oh no, less than  a week for me - several times. For the price the Swedish postal service gets for the postage it should be in Germany within hours, but all in all it is ok.

Edited May 29, 2020 by Retnek
typo (as always)

[sevenless]

2 hours ago, Retnek said:

Oh no, less than  a week for me - several times. For the price the Swedish postal service gets for the postage it should be in Germany within hours, but all in all it is ok.

 

Sweden - Germany is usually 2 weeks, that is my experience from the past with amazon marketplace offers. But at present with that virus going around...

 

2 hours ago, ZachariasX said:

 It apears that in the current situations shipping companies are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. It took sbout three weeks what should be a couple of days.

 

Yep, they recently have as much traffic as in the weeks before X-mas.

Edited May 29, 2020 by sevenless

[busdriver]

@LukeFF I ordered Vol 4 back on 24 Jan. I got my copy after Valentine's Day. IMO too soon to expect your book on the west coast.

[FTC_Mephisto]

Pre-ordered vol. 5. Spread the word! 

[Pajeka]

Hi, just received a further update from Christer regarding Black Cross Red Star, Volumes 5 and 1.  (Crowdfunder details have been removed from the mail).

 

"Hi, dear friends,

 

I have been working very intensely the past weeks & months to get Black Cross Red Star Vol. 5 as good as possible and completed as soon as possible. Since last month, I have been working on the photo selection and photo captions to the book. That work turned out to take much more time than I had anticipated, because I have many more photos than I thought I have. I am very keen on making the best selection of photos, having them placed in the most relevant context in the book, and with a small story to most photo captions.

 

However, I will finish this work this week.

 

The graphic designer has laid out each chapter at the same pace as I have finished the work on photos and photo captions. So layout won't take much more time now. The book must be printed and shipped to everyone who has ordered it in July. I will return on that issue later this week or next week.

 

I am now checking the names of the crowdfunders for Black Cross Red Star Vol. 5, because they will have their names in the book and they will also receive a special numbered edition of the book. The list is at the end of this email. If you are a crowdfunded for  Black Cross Red Star Vol. 5, please check if your name is there. If not, please email me about it and I will correct it.

 

The new edition of  Black Cross Red Star Vol. 1 - which in essence is a completely new book - will be published asap, but I need to visit some archives first, and corona has so far prevented that.

 

So my next book will be STALINGRAD – AN EPIC BATTLE REVISITED. All research for this book has been made, and what remains is just to finish the manuscript, so it will be published later this year: Large format, hardcover.  Based on decades of research work in both German and Russian archives, as well as interviews with a large number of key figures and veterans, Stalingrad – An Epic Battle Revisited brings our knowledge on this turning point of World War II several big steps forward. It brings forward many hitherto unknown facts and dispels many myths and misconceptions of the battle.

In order to bring about a quick release of my Stalingrad book, I consider a crowdfunding-solution.  I propose a crowdfunding with $100. The crowdfunders will receive a personally signed copy of a special, numbered edition, and have their names printed as an acknowledgment in the book. Otherwise, the ordinary price is USD$60.

Please transfer the payment to my Paypal account:
vaktelforlag@gmail.com

Read more about the book here:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/stalingrad-epic-battle-revisited/

  This work on the ground war during the Battle of Stalingrad is the continuation of my previous book Operation Barbarossa 1941 : Hitler against Stalin and supplements his Black Cross/Red Star series about the air war on the Eastern Front.   See:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/operation-barbarossa-1941/  

and

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt-kategori/english/  
You are welcome to order personally signed copies of those books too, USD$ 60 each.

Postage:
1 book = USD 25
2 books = USD 50
3 or more books = USD 60

 

All the best,

 

 

Christer Bergström

Vaktel Förlag

Box 3027

S-630 03 Eskilstuna

Sweden

vaktelforlag.se"

[LukeFF]

On 5/29/2020 at 6:17 PM, busdriver said:

@LukeFF I ordered Vol 4 back on 24 Jan. I got my copy after Valentine's Day. IMO too soon to expect your book on the west coast.

 

Aye, I can now say I received my copy of Volume 4 yesterday. So, for those in the US, expect delivery time of the book to take about 4 weeks. 

 

Oh, and the book looks great!

[ChrisBergstrom]

Black Cross Red Star: Air War over the Eastern Front, Volume 5:

The Great Air Battles: Kuban and Kursk April-July 1943

 

This book is being printed right now, and I will receive the books in around two weeks.

 

This book is based on:

 

- a profound research into both German and Russian archives, both official archives and archives of veterans organizations

- interviews with a large number of veterans from both sides

The historical account is lavishly illustrated with eye-witness accounts from aviators from both sides.

Absolutely balanced between both sides

 

* 384 pages

* Hardcover

* Large format (A4)

* Over 300 photos

* Aircraft color profiles by Jim Laurier

* Appendices

* Full list of all Luftwaffe losses on the Eastern Front, month by month, unit by unit, in the period in question

 

For a personally signed copy of the hardcover edition with aircraft color profiles etc:

Transfer US $ 60 to Christer’s Paypal account vaktelforlag@gmail.com

and send your address to Christer at vaktelforlag@gmail.com

Plus postage:

27 USD outside of Sweden

Sweden 105 SEK

 

See:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-5-great-air-battles-kuban-kursk-april-july-1943/

 

(Volume 4, published in October 2019, is also available at the same price.)

 

Contents of Black Cross Red Star: Air War over the Eastern Front, Volume 5:

 

Author’s introduction 7

PART I: SOVIET RESURGENCE 

Chapter 1 Air Combat Over Krymskaya 9 

Chapter 2 Ahead of Two Great Air Battles 15

PART II: KUBAN, THE UNKNOWN AIR BATTLE 

Chapter 3 Ten to One in the Kuban Skies 25 

Chapter 4 Soviet Air Offensive over the Kuban 51

PART III: FAILURE AND SUCCESS 

Chapter 5 “The Russian Air Force is doing whatever it wants over Krymskaya” 79 

Chapter 6 German Air Offensive over the Kuban 97 

Chapter 7 The Turning Point in the Kuban Air Battle 121

PART IV: ACES OVER THE TUNDRA 

Chapter 8 Shturmoviks Against Luostari Airdrome 143 

Chapter 9 Mounting Hardships 153

PART V: PREPARING FOR THE NEXT ROUND 

Chapter 10 “The power of the German aviation was sapped away” 163 

Chapter 11 Trying to Stem the Tide 179

PART VI: “ZITADELLE” 

Chapter 12 The Onslaught 201 

Chapter 13 Panzerjäger and Shturmoviks: The Southern Flank July 6 to July 9 223 

Chapter 14 On Toward Prokhorovka 241 

Chapter 15 Victory in the Air, Defeat on the Ground: The Northern Flank 251

PART VII: THE SOVIETS STRIKE BACK 

Chapter 16 Operation “Kutuzov” 271 

Chapter 17 “The Russians manage everything, and we manage nothing at all!” 287 

Chapter 18 The Luftwaffe’s Decisive Intervention: The Orel Bulge July 16-31 293

PART VIII: RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS 

Chapter 19 The Spell is Broken 315

Appendix I Luftwaffe Order of Battle at Kursk on July 5, 1943 324

Appendix II VVS Order of Battle at Kursk, July 4, 1943 328

Appendix III Luftwaffe Aircraft Combat Losses on the Eastern Front April 1943 – July 1943 332

Appendix IV Aircraft Color Profiles by Jim Laurier 333

Appendix V Table of Equivalent ranks 349

Appendix VI The Structure of the Luftwaffe 350

Appendix VII The Structure of the Soviet Air Forces in 1943 351

MAPS

Eastern Front April 1943 8, 162

The Kuban Bridgehead 24, 78

The Far North 142

The Battle of Kursk 200, 270

Eastern Front July 31, 1943 314

NOTES 353

SOURCES 372

INDEX 377

 

Next volume in this series is a completely new and expanded edition of Volume 1.

The first edition of Volume 1 (published 20 years ago) contained a maximum of 100,000 words. The second edition not only has much higher quality as far as the research is concerned but also contains twice that word count, a very large number of absolutely new photos (many of which are from pilot veterans’ photo albums and have never been published before), printed in the same high quality as in Volumes 4 and 5.

 

The second edition of Volume 1 is so heavily updated and expanded that it more or less is a completely new book as compared with the 20-year-old first edition.

 

I am publishing this book by myself, so that I can keep full control of the product. In this way, I can have many more photographs and twice as much text in each volume as I was allowed when other publishing companies produced it. (By then I had a limit of 100,000 words per volume; now Volume 4 has over 200,000 words and Volume 5 has even more.)

 

I have no real budget for marketing. Although unique and groundbreaking in that it tells the full and detailed story of the air war on the Eastern Front from both perspectives, it is not particularly well-known, and therefore has not been as much read as I had hoped it would be. There are too many that don't know about it. So if you could help me by spreading the word, it would be of great help.

 

All the best,

 

Christer Bergström

 

 

[Stromboli]

That is Great News, Thanks Christer.

[Pajeka]

Guys latest exciting update from Christer .......

 

 

"Dear friends and supporters,

Very great news:

Black Cross Red Star Volume 5 has arrived from the printer!
I have hired two people to pack and post the books as quickly as possible for you, so all books have been sent to all of you who have pre-ordered the book!

I thank all of you very much! The printer has made an excellent work – the photos are even better than in Volume 5. I was very happy with Volume 4, but I am even happier with Volume 5.

For those of you who still have not ordered it, if you wish to obtain a personally signed copy of the book before it arrives at the book stores (which will be about one month from now), please email your postal address to me at vaktelforlag@gmail.com

See:
https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-5-great-air-battles-kuban-kursk-april-july-1943/

Volume 4 was published last year. See:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-4-stalingrad-kuban-1942-1943/

A very much updated and expanded edition of Volume 1 is planned to be published in the winter of 2020/2021.
See:
https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/black-cross-red-star-air-war-eastern-front-volume-1-operation-barbarossa/  

A very much updated and expanded edition of Volume 2 is planned to be published later in 2021.

A very much updated and expanded edition of Volume 3 is planned to be published in 2022.

However, my next book will be STALINGRAD – AN EPIC BATTLE REVISITED is nearly completed. It will be published in late 2020. It is of the same large size and printing quality as Black Cross Red Star, and hardcover.

Based on decades of research work in both German and Russian archives, as well as interviews with a large number of key figures and veterans, Stalingrad – An Epic Battle Revisited brings our knowledge on this turning point of World War II several big steps forward. It brings forward many hitherto unknown facts and dispels many myths and misconceptions of the battle.
See:

https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/stalingrad-epic-battle-revisited/

This account of mainly the ground war during the Battle of Stalingrad is the continuation of my previous book Operation Barbarossa 1941 : Hitler against Stalin and supplements his Black Cross/Red Star series about the air war on the Eastern Front. See:
https://vaktelforlag.se/produkt/operation-barbarossa-1941/  

I am publishing this book by myself, so that I can keep full control of the product.

In order to bring about a quick release of this book, I consider a crowdfunding-solution.  I propose a crowdfunding with USD $100 (or more). The crowdfunders will receive a personally signed copy of a special, numbered edition, and have their names printed as an acknowledgment in the book.

Or if you would like to pre-order it at the ordinary price, it is USD $70.

You don't have to pay anything yet - I will tell you when it is time to pay. But of course, if you wish to pay now,  you are welcome to transfer the payment to my Paypal account:
vaktelforlag@gmail.com

If you prefer it, I can also send an invoice with IBAN numbers, etc.  

Please email me a confirmation of your order if you wish to order it.

I attach an excerpt from the raw and unedited manuscript of my Stalingrad book.

If you can help me by spreading the word about this book in Internet communities, on social media, and to your friends who share the same interest, it would be highly appreciated! If so, you could copy in what I wrote in red above.

Thank you so very much and all the best,

Christer Bergström"

 

[von_Tom]

This is a good read.
 

Each of the books is getting better and better and I am very much looking forward to the re-prints of 1-3. 

 

von Tom