Title:

Kampfflieger Vol 2:  Bombers of the Luftwaffe, July 1940 - Dec 1941

Author:

J.Richard Smith and Eddie J Creek

Publisher

Classic Publications, 2004

Price

$29.95 from Specialty Press

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

Notes: ISBN 1-903223-43-1

The second book on the history of Luftwaffe bombers covers the period from the Battle of Britain until the end of 1941. This is a period of the war where Germany is basically doing rather well, with only the stand-off of the Battle of Britain and the need to stop their march on Moscow due to the worsening weather condition.

It is also a period of time where the earlier bombers; the Ju-86 and most of the Do-17 series are being withdrawn from many units and replaced by the Ju-88. The He-111 is still in great use as it will be until the end of the war. This is also the introduction of the Do-217 into many of the European based bomb groups with the FW-200 gaining its reputation as the 'scourge of the Atlantic' and its successes at sinking Allied ships.

Like the other 'Classic Colors' books, this one is full of excellent photographs, fascinating crew stories, and superb profiles (all of which are based on images provided in the book). There is also a complete listing of bomber crewmen who were awarded the Ritterkreuz from the beginning of the war until Dec 1941. Most of us think that this award was basically for the Jagdwaffe, but it was also given to bomber crews, tank commanders and other German soldiers for heroic deeds.

In all, this is as outstanding a publication as their Jagdwaffe series and a must for those who are interested in the subject.

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