HISTORY OF THE GERMAN AIR FORCE. by Philpott, Bryan - 1986

London: Bison, 1986. 192 pp, 4to (12 1/8" H). Profusely illustrated with b&w and colour photographs, colour cutaways. "German military aviation got off to a somewhat slow start in the years before World War I but innovative aircraft designs and brilliant pilots soon established a deadly reputation in the skies over the Western Front. The Germans were pioneers too in long-distance bombing by the naval air service's Zeppelins and the later Gotha aircraft. Despite the restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles at the end of World War I innovation continued, to be accelerated when Hitler came to power and the new Luftwaffe had its baptism of fire in Spain. The Luftwaffe went on to play a vital part in the Blitzkrieg campaigns of the early war years and came close to defeating Britain in 1940. The later war years were dominated in turn by the efforts to hold back the American bombers by day and the British by night. In the process the best German pilots became the most effective in the world, the leading German ace, Hartmann, scoring some 352 victories, while in the technical field Germany pioneered the use of jet aircraft. The present day East German air force is by far the best equipped in the Warsaw Pact outside the Soviet Union, fielding such types as the MiG-23 and MiG-27. The new West German Luftwaffe has undergone some problems with its aircraft but with the introduction of the Tornado it now has the equipment to match its undoubted operational efficiency. (This book) features Bryan Philpott's carefully researched text as well as photographs and artworks depicting the great and famous aircraft, the men who fought in them and their role in the great conflicts of (the 20th) century. This unique contribution to the history of military aviation is sure to appeal to any aricraft enthusiast." Book is slightly cocked. Dust jacket has very light edge wear/wrinkling at top/bottom of spine and flap-folds, small tear with wear (archivally taped) at top of rear hinge, tiny scuff on front flap fold, soft wrinkling at top of front panel, light rubbing.. Hard Cover. Very Good+/Very Good-.