Recommended books for the library?

[Lucky13]

Would you fellas recommend this book for the Ta-152?

Title Focke-Wulf Ta 152
Author Dietmar Hermann
Publisher Schiffer

 

[Lucky13]

Just found a copy of JV44 The Galland Circus on ebay with the starting bid at $19.95!
eBay.co.uk: JV44 - The Galland Circus - Classic Publications (item 160104656874 end time 16-Apr-07 00:34:12 BST)

 

[Njaco]

Just a question on the Caldwell JG 26 book. I have a hardback which is apparently Vol. 1 and a softback that is complete but I find discrepancies. Are there two different books?

I have found most of the books by Dr. Alfred Price to be a good read.

The Hardest Day
Sky Battles
The Luftwaffe Data Book
Classic Warplanes: Messerschmitt Bf 109
Focke Wulf 190 At War
(This was an interesting book as it looked at some of the behind the scenes action, such as transfer flights, Allied performance tests, "Airthief" operation, Jabo tactics, etc.)

 

[Erich]

Lucky the D.H TA 152n book is the only thing out on the bird besides the OOP Monogram title on the bird. Monogram was due out earlier last year for a huge book on the TA 152 but where is it ?

get volume 2 of JG 300 translated by Falkeeins and it is a must.

JG 4 by Mombeek when it is finally published as well .........

both Dora volumes by EE also when published

 

[Tony Williams]

The Ninth Air Force in World War II - by Kenn C. Rust.

2 Group RAF (A Complete History 1936 - 1945) - Michael J.F Bowyer

2nd Tactical Air Force Vol. I, II, III. - Chris Shores.

Are probably the three most important books for any extensive info on the tactical role of the air force in Europe, World War II. The 2 Group book can set you back .. a lot of money, as I've seen the hard-back (which I have) selling for over £100 ($190).

If that's what interests you, then you must get "Air Power at the Battlefront" by Ian Gooderson. This is a scholarly work which critically examines exactly how effective the Allied fighter-bombers were in Europe, comparing claims with the results of Operational Research and so on. If you only read one book on WW2 tactical air power, it should be this one.

 

[plan_D]

I'll get it as soon as. The Ninth Air Force by Kenn Rust seems full of painful over-claiming by the U.S pilots; as it was written in the 1960s it seems to fit the time. All the sources are American and there's no actual information from the German side - when it goes on about how 80 Bf 109s jumping 20 P-47s and there being 17 kills for no loss for the Americans ...I find it hard to believe.

 

[Erich]

better yet it would be right to choose the independent 9th AF unit histories that are coming along through the publishing circuit. the 368th fg just released theirs and it looks fantastic from the previews, also the Pioneer Mustang group the 354th fg is coming out from author Steve Blake as the unit was formed in my own state of Oregon you know I am looking forward to that ......

 

[plan_D]

My book has the 354th FG with 701 aerial kills; they moved to Ansbach (R-45) on April 30th, 1945 - which is where Adler was stationed.

 

[Erich]

plan that is correct at wars end. the 9th AF unit was the top scoring fighter group of all US AF's during the war aerially. There are still a couple of guys living in Oregon/Washington that I know. One of the jet killers lives in Florida but in an assisted living quarters. K. Gross is up in Washington and is a super guy. Just released his own personal bio in book form this past year off of his personal web-site

 

[amrit]

If you're interested in RAF/RCAF/RAAF/IAF etc contribution in SE Asia Burma, I could list the small collection that I have.

 

[brickhistory]

amrit,

I'd be interested.

I've read 'Silently into the Midst of Things" about 177 Sq and Beaufighters over Burma (I think that's the name). What are some of yours?

I know a gent who flew RAAF Vultees, but I can never convince him to let me write a story or get him to.

 

[amrit]

Hi brickhistory,

Thanks for your interest. Which squadron was he in – I know the 5 RAAF squadrons who flew Vultees changed to Liberators in March 1944. Any chance of a summary of service or pictures?

The books that I have (and my apologies to everyone else for boring them):

Wings of the Phoenix – The Official Story of the Air War in Burma (HMSO 1949)

The Forgotten Air Force – The Royal Air Force in the War Against Japan 1941-45 by Henry Probert

The three Shores' books:

Bloody Shambles: First Comprehensive Account of Air Operations Over South-East Asia, December 1941-April 1942 v. 1

Bloody Shambles: The Complete Account of the Air War in the Far East, from the Defence of Sumatra to the Fall of Burma, 1942 v. 2

Bloody Shambles: Air War for Burma: The Allied Air Forces Fight Back in South-East Asia 1942-1945 v. 3

Buffaloes over Singapore by Brian Cull

Hurricanes over Singapore by Brian Cull

Hurricane in Sumatra by Terence Kelly

By Norman Franks:
Hurricanes Over the Arakan
Spitfires Over the Arakan
Air Battle for Imphal
Frank 'Chota' Carey: The Epic Story of G/C Carey (ordered should be arriving anyday)

Beaufighters over Burma – No 27 Squadron 1942-45 by David Innes

Silently into the Midst of Things – 177 Squadron 1943-45 by A S Brown

Hurricanes Over Burma by Sq/L M C Bush (with The Memoirs of W/Cmd Bunny Stone

Mohawks over Burma by Gerry Beauchamp

Wings of the Dawning – The Battle for the Indian Ocean 1939-45 by Arthur Banks

History of the Indian Air Force 1933-45 (Official history of the Indian Armed Forces in the Second World War, 1939-45) by S. C Gupta (published by The Combined Inter-Services Historical Section India and Pakistan)

THE EAGLE STRIKES : The Royal Indian Air Force 1932-1950 by Sqn Ldr R T S Chhina (published by the Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research, United Services Institute of India)

Wings Over Burma (67 Squadron) by J H Thomas

The Woodpecker Story - 136 squadron V K Jacobs

The Bamboo Workshop – The History of the RAF Repair Salvage Units India/Burma 1941/46 by R S Sansome

A Flying Tigers Diary – by Charles Bond

Out of the Blue- A Pilot with the Chindits by Terence O'Brien

Unsung Heroes of the Royal Air Force – The Far eastern Prisoners of War by Les Pam Stubbs

Pamphlet No. 1 – Airfields - Engineer in Chief, India (1944 edition) (probably the nerdiest item that I've got!! A 3 inch thick manual on airfield construction in the Far East)

And I'm awaiting delivery of the following three books:

Burma Liberators. RCAF In SEAC by John R.W. Gwynne-Timothy (2 volumes)

Flying Camels -History of No.45 Squadron RAF by C G Jefford

Flat Out - The Story of 30 Squadron by John F Hamlin

I'd quite like to get the new book on the RAF Regiment in South East Asia at some point too. And I've not included the few books on the actual aircraft or on the Japanese forces (only a handful).

 

[amrit]

A couple of other books that I really enjoyed, and I think are worth having in any library are:

Luftwaffe Test Pilot - Flying captured Allied Aircraft of World war 2 by Hans-Werner Lerche

War Prizes - an illustrated survey of German, Italian Japanese aircraft brought to Allied countries during and after the Second World War by Phil Butler (there's another companion book with even more pictures which I don't have)

 

[machine shop tom]

I have quite a few aircraft-related books. I'll name a few of my favorites.

Airwar, Jabolonski (2 volumes)

Warplanes of the Third Reich, Green

Flyboys, Bradley (very disturbing, have to read it to understand the Japanese mindset in WWII)

Masters of the Air, Miller

Thunderbolt! Johnson

Samurai (not written by) Sakai

The Little Giants, Y'Blood (signed by the author for my Dad, a CVE veteran)

The Last Stand Of the Tin Can Sailors, Hornfischer

The last two are U.S. Navy-related. My dad served on a CVE and was present at the Battle Off Samar

(The Battle Off Samar - Main Menu)

and more......


tom

 

[FalkeEins]

this is a huge volume published in France by Avions Bateaux EDITIONS LELA PRESSE, Histoire de l'Aviation et de la Marine Militaire.

Over 400 pages devoted to the 'carrier-borne Samurai' 500+ photos artworks - extensive English language photo captions..

and another one of my favourites ..a superb photo history of the 244 Sentai

 

[twoeagles]

Well, I have just ordered Gunther Rall's "My Logbook" from
www.twentyninesix.com I am basically a pushover for books signed
by the pilots/authors. Has anyone already seen this book and can
comment?

 

[twoeagles]

Am now finishing up Gunther Rall's "My Logbook" and highly recommend it.
Although it is a translation and is no doubt edited to read smoothly in
English, the book is like sitting with Gunther as he tells you how it all
played out for him. Very very readable. Most interesting for me is learning
just how a 27 year old pilot on the losing side of the war goes on to help
rebuild the Luftwaffe, a part of history that has been missing from my
rather narrow 1939-1945 library. Gunther also has no trouble 'setting the
record straight' if he disagrees with other pilots' recollections, even Hartmann's. Worth adding to your library.

 

[drgondog]

My dominant area of interest is ETO which I believe was the center stage for Airpower - with a tip of the hat to Naval Air in the Pacific in the largest Theatre of Operations -ever.

Most of the books I recommend are well researched Fact Based doumentaries. They all make mistakes - god knows I sure did.

So, warts and all
1. Roger Freemans 8th AF tomes - a pioneer in 8th AF
2. Ken Rusts 9th Air Force
3. Kent Miller's Fighter Units and Pilots of 8th AF
4. The Mighty Eighth Combat Chronology - Andrews and Adams
5. Anything by Prein or Caldwell
6. USAF Study 85/USAAF 8th AF VCB/Frank Olynyk's Stars and Bars
7. Fire in the Sky (for airwar in Pacific)
8. Escort to Berlin by Ethell and Price - (model for my book)
9. Aces High by Shores and ?

Bios and stories
1. Mission w/LeMay -Cantor and LeMay
2. First of the Many by McCrary
3. Aces at War by Hammel
4. Adolph Galland - the Authorized Biography
5. Samurai by Sakai
6. Gunther Rall - Memoirs by Rall
7. Fighter Pilot of the Eighth by Fortier
8. First and the Last (Galland again) by Tolliver and Constable
9. Fighter Aces of the Luftwaffe - Tolliver and Constable again
10. I could Never Be So Lucky Again - by Doolittel


Fabric/Causes of WWII - the politics
1. The Gathering Storm by Churchill - read this FIRST
2. Inside the Third Reich and Rise and Fall - by Speer
3. Forged in Fire/The Great Captains - DeWitt Coop

"There I was.." or "this is the way it was" (more bios)
1. Samurai by Sakai
2. Thunderbolt by Johnson
3. I Flew for the Fuhrer by Knocke
4. Stuka Pilot by Rudel
5. The Big Show by Closterman
6. The look of Eagles by John Godfrey
7. Interrogator by Scharff
8. Ploesti by Dugan and Stewart

and because it is about Airborne Infantry
1. Those Devils in Baggy Pants by Ross Carter - it led me astray

Nothing in there by USN or USMC as they are illiterate...but audio books out soon!!

 

[Juha]

My interests are varied and widely spread but here is my list

Dean: America's Hundred-Thousand. (On US WWII fighters)
Ray Wagner: American Combat Planes. New Revised Edition
Rene J Francillion: Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific War
Yefin Gordon's et al's Trilogy of Soviet Combat Aircraft
Elke C. Weal et al: Combat Aircraft of World War Two. Not faultless but anyway handy
Eric Brown: Wings of the Luftwaffe
Francis K. Mason: The British Bomber since 1914
Victor Bingham: Whirlwind
Arthur Hogben: Designed to Kill. Bomb Disposal from World War I to the Falklands.
MacBean and Hogben; Bombs Gone. The development and use of British air-dropped weapons from 1912 to the present day
R Wallace Clarke: British Aircraft Armament Vols 1 – 2
Williams Gustin: Flying Guns WWII

Christopher Shores: Duel for the Sky
Williamson Murray: Luftwaffe (The book on the subject)
C G Jefford: R.A.F. Squadrons
Norman Franks: RAF Fighter Command 1936 - 1968
Ray Sturtivant: British Naval Aviation

Bartlomiej Belcarz et al: Fighters over France and the Low Countries
Winston G. Ramsey (ed.) Battle of Britain Mk V
Alfred Price: The Hardest Day
Kenneth Wakefield: Luftwaffe Encore
Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt: The Bomber Command War Diaries
Martin Streetly: Confound and Destroy
W R Chorley: RAF Bomber Command Losses Vols 1 – 8
Christina J.M. Goulter: A Forgotten Offensive
Ross McNeill: RAF Coastal Command Losses Vol 1
Alfred Price: Spitfire Mark V Aces 1941-45
John Manrho and Ron Pütz: Bodenplatte
Gebhard Aders: History of the German Night Fighter Force 1917 - 1945
Roger Freeman's 8th AF Trilogy
VIII Fighter Command at War "Long Reach"
"Down to Earth" Strafing Aces of the Eight Air Force
"Twelve to One" V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific
Ethell and Price: Escort to Berlin
Merle Olmsted: The 357th over Europe
Ulf Balke: Der Luftkrieg in Europa. Vols 1 – 2. (Unit history of KG 2)
Prien et al books, all that I have are excellent
Donald Caldwell: JG 26 and JG 26 War Diary Vols 1 - 2
Jean-Yves Lorant and Richard Goyat: Jagdgeschwader 300 Volume 1
Michael J.F Bowyer: 2 Group RAF (A Complete History 1936 - 1945)

Playfair et al: The Mediterranean and Middle East. Vols 1 – 6. UK official histories, handle land, sea and air operations
Christopher Shores et al: Malta: The Hurricane Years Malta: The Spitfire Year
Andrew Arthy and Morten Jessen: Fw-190 in North Africa
Maurice G. Lihou: Out of the Italian Night

John B. Lundstrom The First Team and The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign
Christopher Shores: Bloody Shambles Vol. I II
Hata and Izawa : Japanese Naval Aces and Figher Units in WWII
Osamu Tagaya: Mitsubishi Type 1 Rikko "Betty" units of WW2
Lex McAulay: Battle of the Bismarck Sea
Lex McAulay: Into the Dragon's Jaws
Belote Belote: Titans of the Seas

Kalevi Keskinen Kari Stenman: Ilmavoitot/Aerial Victories Vols 1 2
Christopher Shores et al: Aces High Vols 1 - 2
Frank Olynyk: Stars and Bars

Helmut Lipfert: Kapteeni Lipfertin sotapäiväkirja/Das Tagebuch des Hauptmann Lipfert IMHO the best memoirs of a fighter pilot
Johnnie Johnson: Wing Leader
Illu Juutilainen: Punalentäjien kiusana / in English Double Knight or something like that
Johannes Kaufmann: Sotilaslentäjänä 1935 – 1945 / Meine Flugberichte 1935 - 1945
Harald Penrose: Adventure with Fate

and the following excellent books but only in Finnish
Heimo Lampi – Yrjö Turkka: Viimeiset syöksykierteet
Joppe Karhunen: Ritarilentue taistelee
Jukka Raunio: Lentäjän näkökulma II IV
Jaakko Hyvönen: Kohtalokkaat Lennot 1939 - 1944
Tuomo Soiri: Iskulaivue

 

[Lucky13]

Has anyone read NO HIGHER HONOR, THE USS YORKTOWN AT THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY by Jeff Nesmith? What's your opinion?