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Hans-Joachim Marseille: Der erfolgreichste Jagdflieger des Afrikafeldzuges
A tribute to one of the top fighter aces of the World War II, this new full length biography appears here in its first edition. Marseilles' wartime exploits are legendary with the 158 aerial victories, including 17 in one day. He was, and still is, considered by many of the Luftwaffe aces to be the premier fighter pilot of the Luftwaffe-all before the age of twenty-three. Also chronicled is the combat life of JG 27, Marseilles' unit, and the various personalities throughout the North African campaign. , over 200 b/w photos, 8 1/2" x 11"
222 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 26, 2024
Hans-Joachim Marseille (1919-1942) was regarded by his contemporaries in the Luftwaffe as perhaps the finest Jagdflieger (fighter pilot) that Germany produced. He joined the Luftwaffe shortly before the war, qualified as a fighter pilot and was sent to France in August 1940 for frontline service with the 1st Fighter Staffel of Lehrgeschwader 2 (1 (J)/LG 2). He flew in the Battle of Britain and showed from his earliest missions that his flying skills were exceptional.
Yet, there was a certain recklessness to Marseille to led to his plane sustaining serious damage in combat on several occasions. Once he was forced to ditch into the English Channel, where he waited for 2 hours in a raft before he was picked up the Luftwaffe air/sea rescue service. Another time, he had to crash land his Messerschmitt 109E fighter on the French coast.
Marseille claimed to have shot down 7 Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters in aerial combat, only 1 of which (the redoubtable Supermarine Spitfire) was credited to him. By year's end, Marseille was transferred to the 52nd Fighter Wing (JG 52).
Among his superiors in JG 52, Marseille was seen as devil-may-care, a playboy, and a Bohemian who didn't always observe the proper military decorum and discipline. For those reasons, he was sent in early 1941 to 1st Gruppe of the 27th Fighter Wing (I/JG 27), which was sent to North Africa as part of the Luftwaffe contingent that was sent there to bolster Rommel's Afrika Korps, as well as the Italian forces already in theater.
Marseille faced some difficulties in the beginning. But he was fortunate to have in his commander, Edu Neumann, someone who could understand his personality and help him reach his full potential as a combat pilot. So, it was that by the end of 1941, Marseille had scored 30 victories and was growing in experience and skill. He was someone who was fun-loving, loved jazz (something that was frowned on by the Nazis, who regarded jazz as 'degenerate music'), and had as a batman, Matthias, a Black South African POW who became a close friend.
During 1942, Marseille came into his own as a fighter pilot renowned for his flying skill and ability to shoot down enemy planes, expending on average only 15 rounds of ammunition! He became famous throughout Germany and even the British and Commonwealth Forces became aware of who he was and respected him.
By the time of Marseille's death on September 30, 1942, he had achieved 152 victories in aerial combat. His greatest day in combat was on September 1, 1942, when, in the course of several missions, he managed to shoot down 17 enemy planes, 2 of them Spitfires.
The great Luftwaffe ace Adolf Galland (who had once met with Marseille in his capacity as the General of the Fighter Arm) regarded Hans-Joachim Marseille as "the virtuoso among fighter pilots."
"German Fighter Ace Hans-Joachim Marseille" is a fully comprehensive coffee table sized book about Marseille's life and combat service, richly laden with photos. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves reading coffee table sized books full of interesting photos.
Yet, there was a certain recklessness to Marseille to led to his plane sustaining serious damage in combat on several occasions. Once he was forced to ditch into the English Channel, where he waited for 2 hours in a raft before he was picked up the Luftwaffe air/sea rescue service. Another time, he had to crash land his Messerschmitt 109E fighter on the French coast.
Marseille claimed to have shot down 7 Royal Air Force (RAF) fighters in aerial combat, only 1 of which (the redoubtable Supermarine Spitfire) was credited to him. By year's end, Marseille was transferred to the 52nd Fighter Wing (JG 52).
Among his superiors in JG 52, Marseille was seen as devil-may-care, a playboy, and a Bohemian who didn't always observe the proper military decorum and discipline. For those reasons, he was sent in early 1941 to 1st Gruppe of the 27th Fighter Wing (I/JG 27), which was sent to North Africa as part of the Luftwaffe contingent that was sent there to bolster Rommel's Afrika Korps, as well as the Italian forces already in theater.
Marseille faced some difficulties in the beginning. But he was fortunate to have in his commander, Edu Neumann, someone who could understand his personality and help him reach his full potential as a combat pilot. So, it was that by the end of 1941, Marseille had scored 30 victories and was growing in experience and skill. He was someone who was fun-loving, loved jazz (something that was frowned on by the Nazis, who regarded jazz as 'degenerate music'), and had as a batman, Matthias, a Black South African POW who became a close friend.
During 1942, Marseille came into his own as a fighter pilot renowned for his flying skill and ability to shoot down enemy planes, expending on average only 15 rounds of ammunition! He became famous throughout Germany and even the British and Commonwealth Forces became aware of who he was and respected him.
By the time of Marseille's death on September 30, 1942, he had achieved 152 victories in aerial combat. His greatest day in combat was on September 1, 1942, when, in the course of several missions, he managed to shoot down 17 enemy planes, 2 of them Spitfires.
The great Luftwaffe ace Adolf Galland (who had once met with Marseille in his capacity as the General of the Fighter Arm) regarded Hans-Joachim Marseille as "the virtuoso among fighter pilots."
"German Fighter Ace Hans-Joachim Marseille" is a fully comprehensive coffee table sized book about Marseille's life and combat service, richly laden with photos. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves reading coffee table sized books full of interesting photos.
May 2, 2016
Was very nice to read about one of my favorite fighter pilots.
The book resumes and explains every operation he participated very well. Though I don't think it follows the timeline straight, sometimes you find yourself being explained situations that might come some time after. Nervetheless, is a good book and you can get an idea of Marseille's personality and how was the environment for the soldiers in Africa.
The book resumes and explains every operation he participated very well. Though I don't think it follows the timeline straight, sometimes you find yourself being explained situations that might come some time after. Nervetheless, is a good book and you can get an idea of Marseille's personality and how was the environment for the soldiers in Africa.
June 27, 2020
a sad end to another great fighter pilot that IMO if he had not lost his life he would have held the title as the greatest pilot in the world, he was a amazing young man that like hartman and others believed in chivalry and honor and his actions only proved that.
February 4, 2020
What a pilot and a great story.
August 23, 2011
This book is not only a biography but also a portrait of the war theaters where Marseille became involved from 1939 to 1940. That's one of the outstanding things this book has to offer. You will learn how Marseille evolved from a reckless flier to the finest marksman on the African skies. In the process, Kurowski briefly describes the ongoing operation that were happening by the time. Putting every battle of the squadron in the right context.
Apart from this, a vast majority of Marseille victories are described in the most detailed way.
Then, the book has plenty of pictures from Marseille and his comrades, which is the icing on the cake.
More than a biography, a rigorous history book. Highly recommended.
Apart from this, a vast majority of Marseille victories are described in the most detailed way.
Then, the book has plenty of pictures from Marseille and his comrades, which is the icing on the cake.
More than a biography, a rigorous history book. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews