Author: Andreas Zapf
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781708956837
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 114
Book Description
Most of the Luftwaffe's aces are well known and their lives - pre-war, war, and post-war - are usually well documented. Equally well documented are their wartime careers and their claims and confirmed victories. The higher these pilots were decorated, the better the documentation about them usually is.However, there are "exceptions to the rule" and one such exception is Kurt Welter. The pure dates of his short life - he died at the age of 33 years - as well as his general service record are known.Also known is his final assignment to 10./NJG 11 and his former position as commanding officer with "Kommando Welter". Both positions make him a legend and a myth because these units being the only ones which have ever taken the Messerschmitt Me 262 into nocturnal combat missions.But that is also where the "urban legend" of Kurt Welter starts. Mainly because so little is really known about these units, so few men were assigned to them that could provide a solid background for researchers, so little hard evidence is left in the archives.
The Jet Night Fighters
Author: Andreas Zapf
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781708956837
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 114
Book Description
Most of the Luftwaffe's aces are well known and their lives - pre-war, war, and post-war - are usually well documented. Equally well documented are their wartime careers and their claims and confirmed victories. The higher these pilots were decorated, the better the documentation about them usually is.However, there are "exceptions to the rule" and one such exception is Kurt Welter. The pure dates of his short life - he died at the age of 33 years - as well as his general service record are known.Also known is his final assignment to 10./NJG 11 and his former position as commanding officer with "Kommando Welter". Both positions make him a legend and a myth because these units being the only ones which have ever taken the Messerschmitt Me 262 into nocturnal combat missions.But that is also where the "urban legend" of Kurt Welter starts. Mainly because so little is really known about these units, so few men were assigned to them that could provide a solid background for researchers, so little hard evidence is left in the archives.
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781708956837
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 114
Book Description
Most of the Luftwaffe's aces are well known and their lives - pre-war, war, and post-war - are usually well documented. Equally well documented are their wartime careers and their claims and confirmed victories. The higher these pilots were decorated, the better the documentation about them usually is.However, there are "exceptions to the rule" and one such exception is Kurt Welter. The pure dates of his short life - he died at the age of 33 years - as well as his general service record are known.Also known is his final assignment to 10./NJG 11 and his former position as commanding officer with "Kommando Welter". Both positions make him a legend and a myth because these units being the only ones which have ever taken the Messerschmitt Me 262 into nocturnal combat missions.But that is also where the "urban legend" of Kurt Welter starts. Mainly because so little is really known about these units, so few men were assigned to them that could provide a solid background for researchers, so little hard evidence is left in the archives.
Night Fighters
Author: Bill Gunston
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0752495127
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 269
Book Description
From its beginnings during World War I, the role of the dedicated night fighter aircraft and its pilots in the 21st century has evolved greatly. This work reflects the massive changes in technology and in tactics. It also covers the problems of tracking aerial targets by radar.
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0752495127
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 269
Book Description
From its beginnings during World War I, the role of the dedicated night fighter aircraft and its pilots in the 21st century has evolved greatly. This work reflects the massive changes in technology and in tactics. It also covers the problems of tracking aerial targets by radar.
Nachtjäger
Author: David P. Williams
Publisher: Crecy Publishing
ISBN: 9781906537562
Category : Fighter pilots
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
This is a compendium edition of the much regarded and long out of print Nachtjägervolumes in the acclaimed Classic Coloursseries on the aircraft, camouflage and markings of the Luftwaffe between 1933-1945. The book focuses on the operations and the aircraft of the Nachtjagdfrom its origins in the inter-war years through its desperate and climactic battles against the massed raids of RAF Bomber Command from 1943 onwards. The force evolved from using single-seat Bf 109s to twin-engined Bf 110s and Ju 88s, with advanced radar equipment and weapons systems, supported by a sophisticated ground reporting network. It produced many leading night fighter aces such as Wolfgang Falck, Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer and Helmut Lent. As the war progressed and the strategic situation began to tilt away from Germany's favor so, ironically, the pace of development quickened with the Luftwaffe introducing uprated versions of the Ju 88 as well as new types such as the Do 217 and He 219 alongside the tactical innovation of 'Wilde Sau' night fighting which saw the return of single-seat Bf 109s and Fw 190s. In the last, desperate months of the war, even the Me 262 was introduced as a night fighter in limited numbers. Nachtjägeris an important resource for modellers and students of Luftwaffe history, providing a detailed narrative augmented by many photographs and specially commissioned color profiles.
Publisher: Crecy Publishing
ISBN: 9781906537562
Category : Fighter pilots
Languages : en
Pages : 0
Book Description
This is a compendium edition of the much regarded and long out of print Nachtjägervolumes in the acclaimed Classic Coloursseries on the aircraft, camouflage and markings of the Luftwaffe between 1933-1945. The book focuses on the operations and the aircraft of the Nachtjagdfrom its origins in the inter-war years through its desperate and climactic battles against the massed raids of RAF Bomber Command from 1943 onwards. The force evolved from using single-seat Bf 109s to twin-engined Bf 110s and Ju 88s, with advanced radar equipment and weapons systems, supported by a sophisticated ground reporting network. It produced many leading night fighter aces such as Wolfgang Falck, Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer and Helmut Lent. As the war progressed and the strategic situation began to tilt away from Germany's favor so, ironically, the pace of development quickened with the Luftwaffe introducing uprated versions of the Ju 88 as well as new types such as the Do 217 and He 219 alongside the tactical innovation of 'Wilde Sau' night fighting which saw the return of single-seat Bf 109s and Fw 190s. In the last, desperate months of the war, even the Me 262 was introduced as a night fighter in limited numbers. Nachtjägeris an important resource for modellers and students of Luftwaffe history, providing a detailed narrative augmented by many photographs and specially commissioned color profiles.
Duel Under the Stars
Author: Wilhelm Johnen
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1784382604
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 261
Book Description
"The enemy bomber grew larger in my sights and the rear gunner was sprayed by my guns just as he opened fire. The rest was merely a matter of seconds. The bomber fell like a stone out of the sky and exploded on the ground. The nightmare came to an end."In this enthralling memoir, the author recounts his experiences of the war years and traces the story of the ace fighter pilots from the German development of radar to the Battle of Britain.Johnen flew his first operational mission in July 1941, having completed his blind-flying training. In his first couple of years he brought down two enemy planes. The tally went up rapidly once the air war was escalated in spring 1943, when Air Marshal Arthur Harris of the RAF Bomber Command began the campaign dubbed the Battle of the Ruhr.During this phase of the war Johnens successes were achieved against a 710-strong force of bombers. Johnens further successes during Harriss subsequent Berlin offensive led to his promotion as Staffelkapitan (squadron leader) of Nachtjagdgeschwader and a move to Mainz. During a sortie from there, his Bf 110 was hit by return fire and he was forced to land in Switzerland. He and his crew were interned by the authorities. The Germans were deeply worried about leaving a sophisticatedly equipped night fighter and its important air crew in the hands of a foreign government, even if it was a neutral one. After negotiations involving Gring, the prisoners were released.Johnens unit moved to Hungary and by October 1944 his score was standing at 33 aerial kills. His final one came in March the following year, once Johnen had moved back to Germany.
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1784382604
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 261
Book Description
"The enemy bomber grew larger in my sights and the rear gunner was sprayed by my guns just as he opened fire. The rest was merely a matter of seconds. The bomber fell like a stone out of the sky and exploded on the ground. The nightmare came to an end."In this enthralling memoir, the author recounts his experiences of the war years and traces the story of the ace fighter pilots from the German development of radar to the Battle of Britain.Johnen flew his first operational mission in July 1941, having completed his blind-flying training. In his first couple of years he brought down two enemy planes. The tally went up rapidly once the air war was escalated in spring 1943, when Air Marshal Arthur Harris of the RAF Bomber Command began the campaign dubbed the Battle of the Ruhr.During this phase of the war Johnens successes were achieved against a 710-strong force of bombers. Johnens further successes during Harriss subsequent Berlin offensive led to his promotion as Staffelkapitan (squadron leader) of Nachtjagdgeschwader and a move to Mainz. During a sortie from there, his Bf 110 was hit by return fire and he was forced to land in Switzerland. He and his crew were interned by the authorities. The Germans were deeply worried about leaving a sophisticatedly equipped night fighter and its important air crew in the hands of a foreign government, even if it was a neutral one. After negotiations involving Gring, the prisoners were released.Johnens unit moved to Hungary and by October 1944 his score was standing at 33 aerial kills. His final one came in March the following year, once Johnen had moved back to Germany.
Marine Night Fighters Association
Author: Herbert C. Banks
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 9781563115127
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 136
Book Description
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
ISBN: 9781563115127
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 136
Book Description
Night Cats and Corsairs
Author: Alan C. Carey
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
ISBN: 9780764343735
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 216
Book Description
The threat of enemy aircraft striking American naval forces at night with impunity during World War II led the Navy to seek fighter aircraft capable of stopping this threat. Trace the history of radar-equipped night fighter aircraft produced for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps by the American aircraft companies Grumman and Vought before the arrival of jets with nocturnal capabilities. World War II squadrons operated night variants of the Vought F4U-2 Corsair and Grumman F6F-3/5N Hellcat while post-war night fighter units were equipped with the Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat and/or Vought F4U-5N/NL. Night Cats and Corsairs contains never before published color and black and white photographs covering the night variants of the F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F4U-2 and F4U-5N/NL Corsairs.
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
ISBN: 9780764343735
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 216
Book Description
The threat of enemy aircraft striking American naval forces at night with impunity during World War II led the Navy to seek fighter aircraft capable of stopping this threat. Trace the history of radar-equipped night fighter aircraft produced for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps by the American aircraft companies Grumman and Vought before the arrival of jets with nocturnal capabilities. World War II squadrons operated night variants of the Vought F4U-2 Corsair and Grumman F6F-3/5N Hellcat while post-war night fighter units were equipped with the Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat and/or Vought F4U-5N/NL. Night Cats and Corsairs contains never before published color and black and white photographs covering the night variants of the F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F4U-2 and F4U-5N/NL Corsairs.
Night Fighter over Germany
Author: Graham White
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1844154718
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
These are the highly evocative wartime memoirs of a young NCO pilot whose operational experience was with Beaufighters and Mosquitoes flying in the long-range night-fighter role. It is not a gung-ho account of daring-do, but a 'warts and all' story of what life was really like in that time of international crisis. No punches are pulled when the author experienced badly designed and dangerous aircraft, such as the Merlin-engined Beaufighter that was almost impossible to fly and killed many pilots during training, nor are the blinding errors made by those staff officers who conceived impossible tasks and operations which these young airmen were ordered to fly and survive. Threaded into a fascinating story of flying with the then leading-edge electronic technology, are the entirely human tales of nights out on the town, when stressed crews could relieve the stress of combat. Some hilarious accounts of wild nights on the ground blend comfortably with the dark skies over Europe and the endless search for the invisible Luftwaffe who were tasked with the destruction of Allied heavy bombers.
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1844154718
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 241
Book Description
These are the highly evocative wartime memoirs of a young NCO pilot whose operational experience was with Beaufighters and Mosquitoes flying in the long-range night-fighter role. It is not a gung-ho account of daring-do, but a 'warts and all' story of what life was really like in that time of international crisis. No punches are pulled when the author experienced badly designed and dangerous aircraft, such as the Merlin-engined Beaufighter that was almost impossible to fly and killed many pilots during training, nor are the blinding errors made by those staff officers who conceived impossible tasks and operations which these young airmen were ordered to fly and survive. Threaded into a fascinating story of flying with the then leading-edge electronic technology, are the entirely human tales of nights out on the town, when stressed crews could relieve the stress of combat. Some hilarious accounts of wild nights on the ground blend comfortably with the dark skies over Europe and the endless search for the invisible Luftwaffe who were tasked with the destruction of Allied heavy bombers.
Deny Them the Night Sky
Author: Eric Shulenberger
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : CD-ROMs
Languages : en
Pages : 529
Book Description
"The 280 men of the 548th Night Fighter Squadron fought their P-61 Black Widows across the Pacific. The Ground Echelon landed on Iwo on D+8, under the mortar, small-arms and kamikaze attack--the Widows arrived a little later. The entire Squadron lived in foxholes (between USMC howitzers and the enemy) for 6 weeks, on C-rations and one canteen of water per day. All while maintaining and flying the world's most complex aircraft. Not a single Japanese bomb fell on Iwo while the 548th stood night-time watch. On Ie Shima (Okinawa) they again arrived under kamikaze attack, shot down several enemy aircraft, made extensive night intruder bombing and rocket attacks, acted as escorts for hundreds of B-29 crew-rescues, and made critical nightly weather observations over tomorrow's targets for the day-bomber fleet. The Squadron had its share of odd moments, from losing a man on Iwo to its own friendly small-arms fire, to scoring the only American shoot-downs of a B29 and a P61." "This book is those men's story--all of them, not just the aircrews. It covers the entire history of the Squadron. The tale is told as much as possible in the first person, using Squadron veterans' memories, illustrations, and extensive records and memorabilia--augmented (where records exist) by official materials." -- Book Jacket.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : CD-ROMs
Languages : en
Pages : 529
Book Description
"The 280 men of the 548th Night Fighter Squadron fought their P-61 Black Widows across the Pacific. The Ground Echelon landed on Iwo on D+8, under the mortar, small-arms and kamikaze attack--the Widows arrived a little later. The entire Squadron lived in foxholes (between USMC howitzers and the enemy) for 6 weeks, on C-rations and one canteen of water per day. All while maintaining and flying the world's most complex aircraft. Not a single Japanese bomb fell on Iwo while the 548th stood night-time watch. On Ie Shima (Okinawa) they again arrived under kamikaze attack, shot down several enemy aircraft, made extensive night intruder bombing and rocket attacks, acted as escorts for hundreds of B-29 crew-rescues, and made critical nightly weather observations over tomorrow's targets for the day-bomber fleet. The Squadron had its share of odd moments, from losing a man on Iwo to its own friendly small-arms fire, to scoring the only American shoot-downs of a B29 and a P61." "This book is those men's story--all of them, not just the aircrews. It covers the entire history of the Squadron. The tale is told as much as possible in the first person, using Squadron veterans' memories, illustrations, and extensive records and memorabilia--augmented (where records exist) by official materials." -- Book Jacket.
Night Fighters Over Korea
Author: Gerald Gerrard O'Rourke
Publisher: US Naval Institute Press
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 240
Book Description
This landmark contribution describes in detail the development and training of Navy night fighters after World War II, their deployment to Korea, and their nightly encounters with MiGs and monsoon weather. Of particular interest are O'Rourke's rousing descriptions of his own encounters with enemy MiGs where it becomes clear that in his desperate fight for survival, he learned to use the night as his ally.
Publisher: US Naval Institute Press
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 240
Book Description
This landmark contribution describes in detail the development and training of Navy night fighters after World War II, their deployment to Korea, and their nightly encounters with MiGs and monsoon weather. Of particular interest are O'Rourke's rousing descriptions of his own encounters with enemy MiGs where it becomes clear that in his desperate fight for survival, he learned to use the night as his ally.