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Luftwaffe Fighter Ace
By his own, modest, admission Norbert Hannig was a Frontflieger, or operational pilot, who really did nothing special during World War Two. He was just, he says, one of the many rank and file pilots fighting for his country and not for the Führer. But his wartime career makes for fascinating and highly informative reading on an aspect of the 1939-45 war not often covered in the English language; primarily that of the campaign against the Soviet Union.
Norbert started flying during high school on gliders and joined the German Air Force as volunteer and officer cadet, one of the midwar-generation of Luftwaffe fighter pilots. He began operations with JG54 on the eastern (Leningrad) front in March 1943; initially he flew Messerschmitt Bf 109s before transitioning to the Focke-Wulf FW 190. After a year’s fighting, he was ordered back to Germany as a flight instructor to oppose the bomber streams of the AAF and RAF. Returning to Russia at the end of 1944, he became a Staffel CO and claimed many aircraft shot down. In April 1945 he converted to the first jet fighter, the Me 262, in south Germany, and flew his last missions with this aircraft. Also serving with JV44 (whose CO was Adolf Galland), Norbert Hannig finished the war with 42 victories from more than 200 missions. Many and varied were his experiences in action against the rejuvenated Soviet Air Force in the east, and the powerful western Allies over the homeland during the final chaotic months of hostilities, which culminated in his captivity.
John Weal’s skillful translation ensures that the fluid descriptive style of the author is preserved. Thankfully, also, Norbert was a keen photographer who shot a profusion of images, all previously unpublished, many of which appear in this important book.
Norbert started flying during high school on gliders and joined the German Air Force as volunteer and officer cadet, one of the midwar-generation of Luftwaffe fighter pilots. He began operations with JG54 on the eastern (Leningrad) front in March 1943; initially he flew Messerschmitt Bf 109s before transitioning to the Focke-Wulf FW 190. After a year’s fighting, he was ordered back to Germany as a flight instructor to oppose the bomber streams of the AAF and RAF. Returning to Russia at the end of 1944, he became a Staffel CO and claimed many aircraft shot down. In April 1945 he converted to the first jet fighter, the Me 262, in south Germany, and flew his last missions with this aircraft. Also serving with JV44 (whose CO was Adolf Galland), Norbert Hannig finished the war with 42 victories from more than 200 missions. Many and varied were his experiences in action against the rejuvenated Soviet Air Force in the east, and the powerful western Allies over the homeland during the final chaotic months of hostilities, which culminated in his captivity.
John Weal’s skillful translation ensures that the fluid descriptive style of the author is preserved. Thankfully, also, Norbert was a keen photographer who shot a profusion of images, all previously unpublished, many of which appear in this important book.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 10, 2010
Norbert Hannig went from service in the Jungvolk (an organization similar to the Boy Scouts) to the Luftwaffe in the latter part of 1940. Following completion of training, he was posted early in 1943 to Jagdgeschwader 54 (the "Green Hearts" Wing) on the Eastern Front, which boasted aces of the caliber of Otto Kittel (with 267 victories, the 4th ranking ace in history) and Emil "Bully" Lang.
Hannig flew both the ME 109 and Focke Wulf 190 in combat, scoring 42 victories. Shortly before the end of the war, he was posted to the West, where, after completing a conversion course in the Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter, he served with Jagdverband 44 (the "Squadron of Experts") under the command of Adolf Galland.
Hannig's account of his experiences as a Luftwaffe `Jagdflieger' (fighter pilot) on the Eastern Front from 1943-45 provides an interesting insight into the experiences of one of the "mid-war" Luftwaffe pilots. From his flight training experiences and subsequent posting to the "Green Hearts" Fighter Wing in Russia, the book is easy to read. The narrative flows and is not at all boring. You get a sense of the man himself and the effects of the daily grind of operations over an ever changing front.
For any reader who is keenly interested in reading about the lives of obscure Second World War aces, this book will make a welcome addition to your library. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Hannig flew both the ME 109 and Focke Wulf 190 in combat, scoring 42 victories. Shortly before the end of the war, he was posted to the West, where, after completing a conversion course in the Messerschmitt 262 jet fighter, he served with Jagdverband 44 (the "Squadron of Experts") under the command of Adolf Galland.
Hannig's account of his experiences as a Luftwaffe `Jagdflieger' (fighter pilot) on the Eastern Front from 1943-45 provides an interesting insight into the experiences of one of the "mid-war" Luftwaffe pilots. From his flight training experiences and subsequent posting to the "Green Hearts" Fighter Wing in Russia, the book is easy to read. The narrative flows and is not at all boring. You get a sense of the man himself and the effects of the daily grind of operations over an ever changing front.
For any reader who is keenly interested in reading about the lives of obscure Second World War aces, this book will make a welcome addition to your library. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
January 8, 2023
Buy.
Direct, simple, and straightforward memoir of a Luftwaffe ace. Devoid of anything in the way of political commentary or reflection, which can be a little unsettling but also feels slightly welcome for someone not in a position of administrative power. Likewise unsettling is the enthusiasm for the Nazi youth leagues and in general his participation in the armed forces. However, this is exactly what makes this account feel more honest at times.
Direct, simple, and straightforward memoir of a Luftwaffe ace. Devoid of anything in the way of political commentary or reflection, which can be a little unsettling but also feels slightly welcome for someone not in a position of administrative power. Likewise unsettling is the enthusiasm for the Nazi youth leagues and in general his participation in the armed forces. However, this is exactly what makes this account feel more honest at times.
September 11, 2016
I enjoyed reading the bits about after the war finished and his time with the Russians, Americans and British. All to often war books finish with the end of hostilities. It is well written and easy to read yet I would have liked more factual detail to leave me feeling better informed.
January 30, 2018
A very good memoir of a Luftwaffe pilot and his experiences.
The fact that he recounts from the moment he became interested in flying to the chaos at the end of the war, helps to set his memoir above many others in similar topics.
His retelling of being a member of the famous Jagdgeschwader 54, the adventures he partook in, the close calls,the losses, the promotions, really helps an interested person really look at the individuals who served. His personal accounts of aerial combat from the early days of the war in the Soviet Union to the end when the scales had tipped are rivetting. His telling of becoming an instructor for 6 months for replacements is a good tale as so much myth has developed over pilots just fighting till they die.
The downside is his chapters are long and some times the story seems to ramble. But this can be ignored by the wealth of material contained within. This individual wasn't an ardent Nazi but a young boy who wanted to serve his country. He fell in love and travelled across the occupied zones to reunite.
His telling of the actions of the Soviets is an eye opener to many. They are not all the barbarian, who rape and pillage all they see, as so often portrayed though our media but they are humans who have feelings like us. While some did commit such atrocities, not all were cut from this cloth.
A book worth reading for any fan of World War Two history, Fighter combat and the Eastern Front.
The fact that he recounts from the moment he became interested in flying to the chaos at the end of the war, helps to set his memoir above many others in similar topics.
His retelling of being a member of the famous Jagdgeschwader 54, the adventures he partook in, the close calls,the losses, the promotions, really helps an interested person really look at the individuals who served. His personal accounts of aerial combat from the early days of the war in the Soviet Union to the end when the scales had tipped are rivetting. His telling of becoming an instructor for 6 months for replacements is a good tale as so much myth has developed over pilots just fighting till they die.
The downside is his chapters are long and some times the story seems to ramble. But this can be ignored by the wealth of material contained within. This individual wasn't an ardent Nazi but a young boy who wanted to serve his country. He fell in love and travelled across the occupied zones to reunite.
His telling of the actions of the Soviets is an eye opener to many. They are not all the barbarian, who rape and pillage all they see, as so often portrayed though our media but they are humans who have feelings like us. While some did commit such atrocities, not all were cut from this cloth.
A book worth reading for any fan of World War Two history, Fighter combat and the Eastern Front.
July 29, 2019
This is the best written overall account of a Luftwaffe pilot I know of. Translated by John Weal. Here the author reveals his inner thoughts about his experiences and one quickly discovers a sympathetic, open mind.
A clever fellow, Hannig finished the war with 42 victories, mostly with JG 54 (FW-190s) on the Eastern front, despite his non-martial nature and a concealed physical condition which should have precluded him from active military service. He concluded his war career flying ME-262s with 1/JG7.
Includes a great account of Bully Lang's record 18 victories in a single day and subsequent escape from the fall of Kiev, the author having been a member of Lang's schwarm at that time.
A clever fellow, Hannig finished the war with 42 victories, mostly with JG 54 (FW-190s) on the Eastern front, despite his non-martial nature and a concealed physical condition which should have precluded him from active military service. He concluded his war career flying ME-262s with 1/JG7.
Includes a great account of Bully Lang's record 18 victories in a single day and subsequent escape from the fall of Kiev, the author having been a member of Lang's schwarm at that time.
September 27, 2019
For the World War Two aviation enthusiast, this is an interesting and informative biography, recounted in a straightforward style. Hannig was a youngster who joined and trained as a pilot well after WW2 began, and the insights into glider training then all the stages of pilot training to the Bf 109 and ultimately the FW 190 were fascinating. Living a charmed life, bouncing through some scrapes with skill, bravado and great luck, Hannig survived years on the Eastern front and recounts meetings with Novotny and Lang! In the final months he trained and piloted the Me 262!! The post war/surrender months are recounted in detail as well. As a minor ace with 44 victories in over 200 missions, working a stint as an instructor, his life reveals much about the Luftwaffe in WW2.
August 18, 2021
This book is an indispensable book to the history of the Luftwaffe. Contained within is the engaging story of Norbert Hannig's time in the German Luftwaffe during WW2. As Hannig starts the story from his early days, you almost feel as if you are going through the process of the German youth of the time, from trainee eventually to experienced Luftwaffe pilot. As with all memoirs of Germans during WW2 you get to see the extent to which these young men worked their butts off, the indispensable comradeship that allowed the few like Hannig to survive and the complete hopelessness of the German position after 1943.
November 2, 2025
Igazán izgalmas olvasmány, nagyon nehéz volt letenni. Minden nap olvastam belőle egy keveset. Külön tetszett, hogy vannak benne képek, így a nevekhez arcokat is tudtam társítani. Kellemesen csalódtam, Norbert szerencsére nem volt az a fanatikus náci, ahogy a családja sem. Különösen megindító volt a testvére, Kurt gyászjelentését olvasni.
Nagyon nagy szerencséje volt, hogy könnyen el tudott szabadulni az oroszoktól, amerikaiaktól és aztán végre újra együtt lehetett a menyasszonyával. Hiányoltam viszont, hogy mi lett a kiskutyájával és annak kölykeivel. :(
Nagyon nagy szerencséje volt, hogy könnyen el tudott szabadulni az oroszoktól, amerikaiaktól és aztán végre újra együtt lehetett a menyasszonyával. Hiányoltam viszont, hogy mi lett a kiskutyájával és annak kölykeivel. :(
July 25, 2024
Interesting story from the German respective.
A pretty good story but full of German nomenclature that was seldom translated to English. Had to Google many of them. Would have been easier to change to English from the start since the whole story was in English.
A pretty good story but full of German nomenclature that was seldom translated to English. Had to Google many of them. Would have been easier to change to English from the start since the whole story was in English.
September 10, 2021
Interesting read.
April 27, 2024
Enjoyed the history
Norbert's history of how he became a fighter pilot and fought the war held my attention.
Good job and best wishes.
Norbert's history of how he became a fighter pilot and fought the war held my attention.
Good job and best wishes.
June 25, 2024
Muy detallada historia de éste piloto de la Luftwaffe, detalla pormenores de la vida diaria antes, durante y después de su participación en operaciones de combate
July 9, 2025
Good book and easy read. Very little books out there from Luftwaffe pilot who flew the ME 262. Most of Nannig flying career was on Eastern front. A very honorable man.
October 24, 2013
A superb book that I am sorry to have finished. I want more! Told with humour it gives a real feel for the events he lived through. well worth a read.
October 2, 2014
nothing particularly novel
August 16, 2016
A well written and informative account of the experiences of a German fighter ace, including his time in the final period of WWII flying the Me 262. Brilliant.
July 4, 2012
Unrepentant.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews