Erich Hartmann, "The Blond Knight of Germany". [Biography]

The Blond Knight of Germany, by Raymond F. Toliver and Trevor J. Constable. Firstly let me thank Jack Seidman for sending me the book as a gift from the USA. It is greatly appreciated my good man.

Everyone interested in military aviation, particularly during WWII, knows or has an idea of who Erich Hartmann is,  a flying legend, the Luftwaffe pilot that became the Ace of Aces flying with JG52 on the Eastern Front scoring 352 victories.

Many would say victories came easy on the Eastern Front and discount such a victory tally relative to the victories scored by Allied Aces during WWII. The book gives insight into how the victories came about, how his tactics were developed to make him victorious in the air.

In fact the air war over the Eastern Front was significantly bigger than that waged on the Western Front, over Europe. 

In the West, Russian pilots and aircraft are often regarded as inferior, yet their leading Ace, Ivan Nikitch Kozhedub, had 62 victories and half a dozen more had 50 or more with a further 8 having 40 or more. 

JG52 constantly relocated as the war progressed, often multiple times in a single month. Imagine the logistical nightmare to keep the aircraft serviceable and yet this is exactly what they and other Luftwaffe units did. 

The insights given through this book highlight the achievements of Hartmann and the numerous aces of JG52, including Gerhard Barkhorn (301), Guenther Rall (275), Wilhelm Batz (237), Hermann Graf (212), Helmut Lipfert (203) and Walter Krupinski (196) to name but the highest scorers.

Erich Hartmann learnt his trade from the veterans of JG52 and then developed his own tactics on the basis of his experience. "See - Decide - Attack - Reverse, or Coffee Break." Interestingly, Erich Hartmann was not a dogfighter, instead using his tactics he closed to minimum range to dispatch the enemy, filling his windscreen with the opposing aircraft before firing.

A Luftwaffe pilot in another squadron, Fritz Obleser, disputed Hartmanns victories and Erich addressed the issue directly with then Gruppenkommandeur, Major Guenther Rall. Fritz Obleser was transferred to Hartmann's unit and in the second element of Hartmann's Schwarm personally witnessed and signed confirmation of two victories.

Incredible insights into the men of JG52, the charismatic figures, the relationships, the team. JG52 was the most successful aerial fighting unit ever. Hartmann's relationship with his crew chief  Heinz "Bimmel" Mertens was an integral part of his success.

The surrender of I/JG52 to the Americans and subsequent handing over to the Soviets is absolutely shocking. There were refugees and family with the unit  when it surrendered and treatment of the women and children left me disturbed for days after reading the account. 

What many don't know is that Erich Hartmann remained a prisoner of the Soviet Union for more than ten years after the defeat of Nazi Germany. The Soviets tried to break the man but didn't. The character of the man is outstanding. His will unbreakable. His love for his wife, and hers for him being the force that kept him strong. 

Hartmann rejoined the new German Air Force and established the first jet fighter wing, JG71 Richthofen. Their F-86 Sabres wore the same black tulip nose that Karaya 1, his Bf109, wore that led to the Soviets calling him the Black Devil. Not willing to play politics he retired from the Air Force in 1970. 

In all this is a definite read for anyone interested in the great aces of a the world and in particular Erich Hartmann, the most successful fighter pilot ever.

"Vlamgat" The story of the Mirage F1 in the South African Air Force by Dick Lord.

Having just reviewed Sharkey Ward's book I realized that I haven't as yet reviewed "Vlamgat" by Brigadier-General Dick Lord. I'd bought a signed copy the morning after its author died.

"Vlamgat" is the story of the Mirage F1 in the South African Air Force. That said it focuses on No. 1 Squadron and the Mirage F1AZ. The book starts with the acquisition of the then not yet fully developed aircraft just prior to the arms embargo.

The SAAF then has to complete development and create a team that can fully utilize the new weapon system. The local arms and aviation industry  provide much need assistance in completing development.

Dick Lord is able to put you in the cockpit as he trains his pilots and together they develop attack profiles that have to be proven in the heat of battle. 

The flying is incredible, particularly at low level and at high speed. Indeed having seen photos of F1AZs on the deck over the bush it's easier to look for their shadows!!!

The book covers the Border War from start to finish from the aviators perspective and it is interesting to read how the F1s rotated from their home base to the operational area in the then South West Africa.

In action they find that their aircraft are in fact highly visible from above and immediately have to change the camouflage scheme in order reduce their vulnerability.

The two MiG kills by the Mirage F1CZ is also covered with diagrams of the action and camera gun stills. There are also a good few photographs that draws the reader in putting faces to the names and giving one insights into F1 operations.

Their attack profiles have to be adapted to counter ever increasingly sophisticated Soviet air defense systems. The seat of the pants flying is riveting   and the action dramatic.

This book is a must read for anyone that is in any way interested in the Mirage F1. You'll come to better appreciate its capabilities in combat and what it takes to build a team that can extract the most from what is a gorgeous looking aircraft.

 The Mirage F1AZ in the early camouflage scheme which proved too visible from above.

The Mirage F1AZ in the camouflage scheme adopted after enemy encounters. 

Sharkey Ward's "Sea Harrier Over The Falklands"

Sharkey Ward's "Sea Harrier Over The Falklands" has proved a fascinating read!!! The time and effort that goes into developing a fighting unit like 801 NAS often isn't appreciated by casual observers.

The book goes into great detail of how Sharkey Ward builds up his team prior to taking command of 801 NAS, building the 801 team, mastering the Sea Harrier and all its systems including the Blue Fox radar.

One of the biggest surprises is just how capable the FRS.1 Sea Harrier was against the best US jets of the time including the F-15!!! Sea Harrier was pitted against the USAF Aggressor Squadron in the UK and this led to a fight with the F-15 Squadron.

The amount of training en-route to the South Atlantic is more than surprising. Weapons testing and night qualifications being the highlights and gives the reader and idea of just how proficient the pilots were.

Having the perspective of some who has been there dramatically focuses you on his view of the proceedings and the climax builds into some thrilling air combat over the Falklands.

While 801 NAS scored less victories than 800 NAS the tactics employed differs greatly and leaves one with the question of which did the better job. Potentially 801 deterred more attacks from their low level CAP than did 800 which conducted high level CAP and then intercepted their quarry from behind after they had struck.

The differing views and policies of the Flag and his Staff on HMS Hermes stands in stark contrast to that of Commander Sharkey Ward CO 801 and the Captain and officers of HMS Invincible. Interestingly the frustrations they're faced with is probably not very different to what operators and management face in the work place today.

Definitely a recommended read that will probably lead to the purchase of a Corgi 801 NAS Sea Harrier flown by Commander Sharkey Ward.