Luftwaffe Over Germany: Defense of the Reich

by Donald Caldwell, Richard Muller

US Air Force Historical Foundation award for Best Air Power History Book of 2008The Luftwaffe over Germany tells the story of one of the longest and most intense air battles in history. The daylight air struggles over Germany during World War II involved thousands of aircraft, dozens of units, and hundreds of aerial engagements. Until now, there has been no single book that covers the complete story, from the highest levels of air strategy to the individual tales of Fw 190s, Bf 109s and Me 262s in air combat against the American bomber streams.This ground-breaking work explores the detrimental effect of Luftwaffe theory and doctrine on the German air arms ability to defend the homeland once the Allied Combined Bomber Offensive began in earnest. By mid-1944, they had lost the battle but had exacted a terrible price from the Americans in the process.The product of a ten-year collaboration between two noted Luftwaffe historians, this work fills a major gap in the literature of World War II. The authors have examined original war diaries, logbooks, doctrine manuals, after-action reports, and interviews with many combat veterans to produce a richly detailed account. Illustrated with nearly two hundred photographs, as well as new maps and diagrams, this is the standard work on the subject."

Genres: History, World War II

336 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Donald Caldwell is a graduate of Rice University with a BA in Chemistry.

After marrying his high school sweetheart, Caldwell served a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy, where he advanced to the rank of Mineman, 3rd Class.

Following separation from the Navy, Caldwell returned to Texas to begin a career in the chemical industry. In 1964, he joined The Dow Chemical Company in Freeport, Texas, and moved to verdant, Lake Jackson with his wife to raise three daughters, as well as picking up an MS in Chemistry from Texas A&M University along the way.

Caldwell's years as a Dow research scientist were spent doing a variety of interesting things. He is the holder of 19 U.S. Patents and have authored book chapters and technical papers in fields as diverse as industrial electrochemistry and composite materials science.

Furthermore, Caldwell is the author of several books about the Luftwaffe in World War II.

Reviews

[Boudewijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of the Luftwaffe's operations during World War II and their efforts to defend Germany from Allied bombing raids. It examines the tactics employed by the Luftwaffe in attempting to thwart the bombing raids and the use of fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft artillery, and other defensive measures as well as technological advancements such as the jet-powered aircraft Me 163 and Me 262.

Caldwell delves into the challenges faced by the Luftwaffe, including shortages of resources and skilled pilots, as well as the gradual decline of Germany's air power as the war progressed. Perfectly suited for the reader with more than a general interest in World War 2, although the book leans towards an analytical and statistical approach.

With the lack of personal anecdotes it may therefore be challenging for readers that want to get a more personal perspective or want to read firsthand accounts of the battles that took place. But if you're looking for a factual analysis, this book will certainly offer a comprehensive historical account of the Luftwaffe's operations during World War II.

[Tim Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about German air defense against American bombers. The contribution of the RAF is ignored so completely that the word Lancaster does not appear in the index.

Almost a blow-by-blow account, it is long on anecdote and administrative detail, and short on technicalities. I wanted to know more about the air-to-air rockets: they are mentioned but not described. [In fact, they were not rockets in the modern sense. More like grenade launchers.] The author assumes considerable prior knowledge of aircraft terminology, manoeuvre, formations and tactics. (What is a barrel roll? What is a combat box?)

That said, it covers its chosen material well, and it is hardly fair to blame the author for writing the wrong book! Lots of photographs of pilots and planes.