Description

An illustrated account of the infamous Me 262 and its pilots in the dark days of 1945, containing previously unseen photographs.

ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN EBOOK

When the revolutionary Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter first appeared in the skies over northwest Europe in mid-1944, it represented one of the greatest challenges to Allied air superiority. The first group to solely fly jet fighters, Jagdgeschwader 7 was tasked with wrestling back command of the skies. Put almost immediately into action, despite fuel shortages, poor training and problems with the jet engine, victories quickly followed against both US and British aircraft. By the end of the war, the Jagdgeschwader had claimed nearly 200 enemy aircraft destroyed in daylight bomber raids during 1945.

This book follows the history of the JG 7 unit, examining how their courage, determination and the most advanced aircraft in the world were simply not enough to ensure victory. In the final section of the book Robert Forsyth details how JG 7 were eventually defeated by gradual losses, restricted operating conditions, lack of fuel and overwhelming Allied fighter strength.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE
EVOLUTION

CHAPTER TWO
FORMATION

CHAPTER THREE
CONSOLIDATION

CHAPTER FOUR
EXPERIMENTATION

CHAPTER FIVE
ATTRITION

CHAPTER SIX
DESTRUCTION

APPENDICES
COLOUR PLATES
COMMENTARY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX

Product details

Published Jul 20 2011
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 128
ISBN 9781849089647
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 110 b/w; 27 col
Series Aviation Elite Units
Short code AEU 29
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Robert Forsyth

Robert Forsyth is an author, editor and publisher,…

Illustrator

Jim Laurier

Jim Laurier is a native of New England and lives i…

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