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The Luftwaffe War Diaries: The German Air Force in World War II
"A gripping, highly contentious account of the rise and fall of the German air force."-- London Times
The Luftwaffe War Diaries is the definitive history of the German air force in World War II, from the blitzkrieg on Poland to the last desperate stand over Germany--the only account ever to come from a German source. Its masterfully organized chapters detail, summarize, and evaluate every important strategy and campaign. Cajus Bekker has drawn on official German archives and collections, the combat journals and personal papers of leading officers, and the collated Luftwaffe war diaries, none of which have been published outside Germany, as well as interviews with hundreds of former German airmen.
The result is a critical examination of the Luftwaffe's development and command against the vivid background of World War II's greatest air battles. While the author does full justice to the performance of German airmen, he does not embellish it. Thus his chronicle of the deadly struggle of these men is anything but a heroic saga; the exploits of the other side are treated with equal justice. Heroes and villains are not described or eulogized here--only men fighting a war that most of them did not want. With over 100 photographs, numerous maps, and a complete index of personalities, The Luftwaffe War Diaries brings into stunning focus for now and all time the ironic triumph and inevitable tragedy of war.
The Luftwaffe War Diaries is the definitive history of the German air force in World War II, from the blitzkrieg on Poland to the last desperate stand over Germany--the only account ever to come from a German source. Its masterfully organized chapters detail, summarize, and evaluate every important strategy and campaign. Cajus Bekker has drawn on official German archives and collections, the combat journals and personal papers of leading officers, and the collated Luftwaffe war diaries, none of which have been published outside Germany, as well as interviews with hundreds of former German airmen.
The result is a critical examination of the Luftwaffe's development and command against the vivid background of World War II's greatest air battles. While the author does full justice to the performance of German airmen, he does not embellish it. Thus his chronicle of the deadly struggle of these men is anything but a heroic saga; the exploits of the other side are treated with equal justice. Heroes and villains are not described or eulogized here--only men fighting a war that most of them did not want. With over 100 photographs, numerous maps, and a complete index of personalities, The Luftwaffe War Diaries brings into stunning focus for now and all time the ironic triumph and inevitable tragedy of war.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 18, 2020
I found a copy published in 1969 in a used books store and it was really cheap. Quite a good find. I had read several books about the American and British air force during WW2 and they were all pretty great. The only book to touch more upon Luftwaffe was A higher call, which remains among my favorite books of all time, so I did want to find out more.
This book delivers in that regard, but in a rather technical and strategic way, which is great, because I finally understood what happened. Some of the stories of particular actions were very interesting, as I knew nothing about them. I can see how much the author cares about the topic and telling the right story.
This is a comprehensive work that still manages to be accessible to just about anyone without prior knowledge. My only qualm is about skipping over certain things. Now, I know this book is not about the atrocities committed during WW2, but I would have preferred it is the author acknowledged the Germans were the attackers/invaders. The Belgians, Norwegians, French are often described as the enemy, and I know that is the technical term, but they were defenders. Also, while civilian losses on the German side are described, not much is sad about the civilian victims of Luftwaffe, and they were quite a few too.
Now I understand, this was a tough book to write without getting politics into it and without falling to one extreme or another and I commend the author for writing it. But completely skipping over certain things may raise an eyebrow or two.
Overall, a great book if you are interested in military strategy and technology during WW2. If you just want a good story, go for A higher call.
This book delivers in that regard, but in a rather technical and strategic way, which is great, because I finally understood what happened. Some of the stories of particular actions were very interesting, as I knew nothing about them. I can see how much the author cares about the topic and telling the right story.
This is a comprehensive work that still manages to be accessible to just about anyone without prior knowledge. My only qualm is about skipping over certain things. Now, I know this book is not about the atrocities committed during WW2, but I would have preferred it is the author acknowledged the Germans were the attackers/invaders. The Belgians, Norwegians, French are often described as the enemy, and I know that is the technical term, but they were defenders. Also, while civilian losses on the German side are described, not much is sad about the civilian victims of Luftwaffe, and they were quite a few too.
Now I understand, this was a tough book to write without getting politics into it and without falling to one extreme or another and I commend the author for writing it. But completely skipping over certain things may raise an eyebrow or two.
Overall, a great book if you are interested in military strategy and technology during WW2. If you just want a good story, go for A higher call.
June 30, 2022
舊書再版。
有意思的地方在於，每一個章節之後都會有作者自己的歸納與討論，感覺倒像是個檢討報告。
其實德國空軍的很多光芒都被陸軍給掩蓋了，少了他們的協助，「閃擊戰」就不可能完成；二戰以後，是空軍的時代，不管是在路上還是海上都是。(波灣戰爭後，就是電子戰的時代) 而德國空軍最大的敵人，毫無懸念的，就是自家的總司令戈胖跟「高瞻遠矚」的元首大人。
雖說德國戰敗的原因不只區區幾條，有些錯誤不犯未必就不導致這種結果，但是會如此必定就是你的失誤比人多。而空軍則因為元首跟戈胖的各種「高瞻遠矚」而導致屢失先機，讓許多健兒白白犧牲。例如，噴射戰鬥機Me262本來可以更早出現的，但由於希特勒自己的觀念偏差，導致它最終出來的為時已晚(雖然出來之後能影響戰局多少仍是疑問)。
個人是對作者引用史培爾戰後受審的一段話頗有興趣，他說：「盟國空軍如果致力於摧毀石油供應鏈，對於癱瘓德國繼續作戰的能力，會遠比打擊工業生產更為有效。」
本書有點老，歐美學界應該有更進一步的研究問世，但在華文圈，還是有可讀性的。
有意思的地方在於，每一個章節之後都會有作者自己的歸納與討論，感覺倒像是個檢討報告。
其實德國空軍的很多光芒都被陸軍給掩蓋了，少了他們的協助，「閃擊戰」就不可能完成；二戰以後，是空軍的時代，不管是在路上還是海上都是。(波灣戰爭後，就是電子戰的時代) 而德國空軍最大的敵人，毫無懸念的，就是自家的總司令戈胖跟「高瞻遠矚」的元首大人。
雖說德國戰敗的原因不只區區幾條，有些錯誤不犯未必就不導致這種結果，但是會如此必定就是你的失誤比人多。而空軍則因為元首跟戈胖的各種「高瞻遠矚」而導致屢失先機，讓許多健兒白白犧牲。例如，噴射戰鬥機Me262本來可以更早出現的，但由於希特勒自己的觀念偏差，導致它最終出來的為時已晚(雖然出來之後能影響戰局多少仍是疑問)。
個人是對作者引用史培爾戰後受審的一段話頗有興趣，他說：「盟國空軍如果致力於摧毀石油供應鏈，對於癱瘓德國繼續作戰的能力，會遠比打擊工業生產更為有效。」
本書有點老，歐美學界應該有更進一步的研究問世，但在華文圈，還是有可讀性的。
February 17, 2022
This is an interesting view of World War II and the air war in Europe from the German perspective. It is pretty extensively referenced with data many other authors do not access. The author ties together nicely how decisions by the German High Command impacted multiple theaters and ultimately the war outcome. The author clearly has his perspective and may draw conclusions different from others. But he is worth reading and adding to the knowledge we have of World War II in Europe.
July 11, 2018
An intensely detailed examination of the goings on of the Luftwaffe prior to and during WW2. Gets bogged down in technical details and repetitive recollections of dog fights, but if I was someone seriously interested in this stuff, it would be 5 stars. Some really interesting anecdotes, as well as a bringing to life of extremely stressful situations, both tactical and strategic.
July 30, 2021
German account of WW II Luftwaffe. Comprehensive, very interesting. From the excellent "Ballantine War Books" series.
January 26, 2025
Ww2n from the perspective of the German airforce. It was a very interesting way to read about the war. A tad dull at times but overall held my attention and was very informative.
February 9, 2013
“The Luftwaffe War Diaries” is a comprehensive study of the Luftwaffe during the WW2 period. It does not delve too deep into the creation of the it in the early 30s (except for certain subjects such as the dive bomber development); nor it focuses in its end. Instead, this book is focused on the different war theaters where the Luftwaffe took part (Polish campaign, invasion of Norway, Battle of Britain, Mediterranean, Eastern front, to name a few). Every theater acts like a chapter for this book, and the evolution of events are related for each one. Each chapter is closed up with a Summary and Conclusions where Bekker highlights his main points.
In addition, at the very end of the book there are several appendixes containing the different orders of battle, production charts, and pretty much all the data Bekker used to back up his conclusions.
When you read it you will have a concept of the Luftwaffe as a whole, because I thought Bekker covered very well the ins and outs of an air-force. Furthermore, Bekker also tries to empathize the data that was available to him and helped him to reach his conclusions. In that sense, this is not a book of telling a what-might-have-been story. Everything is related from an objective point of view, and Bekker sticks to the facts. One thing is for sure, he does not leave room for speculation here.
So, in my opinion this book is an absolute must-read for every WW2 enthusiast. Whether you are a lecturer or a hobbyist I'm pretty sure you will find interesting material in here.
In addition, at the very end of the book there are several appendixes containing the different orders of battle, production charts, and pretty much all the data Bekker used to back up his conclusions.
When you read it you will have a concept of the Luftwaffe as a whole, because I thought Bekker covered very well the ins and outs of an air-force. Furthermore, Bekker also tries to empathize the data that was available to him and helped him to reach his conclusions. In that sense, this is not a book of telling a what-might-have-been story. Everything is related from an objective point of view, and Bekker sticks to the facts. One thing is for sure, he does not leave room for speculation here.
So, in my opinion this book is an absolute must-read for every WW2 enthusiast. Whether you are a lecturer or a hobbyist I'm pretty sure you will find interesting material in here.
January 27, 2012
A meticulously detailed history of the German Luftwaffe, compiled mostly from first-hand accounts. A must-read for anyone with a serious interest in World War 2 in the air.
December 20, 2016
Quite good. It uses inside sources of the Luftwaffe, what it's both good (in-dept) and bad (biased). A bit outdated, too.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews