When one thinks of transport planes of WWII, two of them come readily to mind. One is the C-47, used by all Allied countries in one form or another. The other is the Junkers Ju-52, the mainstay of Luftwaffe transport units and an aircraft that was in production right up to the end of the war.

Never built in the numbers that were really needed and an aircraft that saw some horrendous attrition during action in Norway, Crete, North Africa and other fronts, it was still plugging along well after the war was over, last being operated by the Swiss Air Force into the 1980s.

This is the first of two volumes on Luftwaffe transport units. Of course, the Ju-52 wasn't the only aircraft used as there were others such as FW-200s, Ju-89, Bv-222, and a miscellany of impressed aircraft from Lufthansa and those captured in countries that Germany invaded.

The story begins with pre-war use and then goes into the early campaigns against Poland, Norway, France and the subjugation of the West. The use of gliders is also covered as these were an important part of transport operations.

Then things move to the Balkans, including the disaster at Crete. Russian ops and the attrition in supplying North African military operations. It then moves back to the debacle at Stalingrad and the difficulties in supplying the troops trapped there.

In line with others in this series, there are a goodly number of aircrew stories, excellent photos and superb profiles, all of which are based on photographic references.

If you have enjoyed previous volumes in this series, then this is one that you really must have in your library.

October 2006

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