This is the final edition on the operations of the Luftwaffe and VVS on the Eastern Front. As the war put the Germans on the defensive, the Luftwaffe was even more hard pressed to keep the Soviet Air Force at bay. There was still the opportunity for local air superiority, but the growing Soviet air arm made this a much more difficult task. Of course, none of this was helped by the surrender of Romania in 1944, which added yet another air arm with which to do battle and the loss of even more territory to the Soviet Army.

In line with the other books in this series, this one is pretty well a day to day summary of operations. It is divided into several sections that bring the Soviet army closer and closer to its goal of Berlin. In these pages are descriptions of the sometimes desperate fighting that took place. This includes the use of the innovative 'Mistel' drone bombers in an attempt to destroy bridges and other large targets. Of course, we all know that these efforts were for naught, but still they are a tale worth telling.

And told well they are. Author Christer Berström does a superlative job of putting us in the action with an excellent choice of photographs and personal stories from both sides of the conflict. The book also includes a series of appendices that provide an order of battle at various times over the periods covered by this book.

It is a good read and a superb reference for those who which to know more about the war on the eastern front, one that greatly overshadows the more commonly known western campaign in terms of men and materiel used in the fight. A book I know you'll enjoy and one that I can easily recommend to you.

October 2008

Review book courtesy of Specialty Press, where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. Visit their website at the link above or call them at 1-800-895-4585

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