DEUTSCHE LUFTWAFFE: Uniforms and Equipment of the German Air Force (1935–1945)

When the Second World War broke out, the Luftwaffe was the most powerful air force on the battlefield and made a decisive contribution to the Wehrmacht's initial victories. But faced with the strength of its adversaries, the Luftwaffe could not maintain its supremacy. German industry proved unable to match the Allies' massive aircraft production. Nevertheless, "flying to the death", Luftwaffe pilots continued to write pages of glory in which heroism was often matched by an impressive capacity for innovation. This volume is the result of an exhaustive study of the uniforms and equipment used by Luftwaffe aircrew from 1935 to 1945. Their flight suits and uniforms, along with their various operational equipment items, assembled here from impressive collections, allow us to share more fully in the experience of the German aviators. Although they served a dark cause, their feats cannot be diminished.

Each object is photographed here with great attention to detail, accompanied by high-quality colour illustrations and precise explanatory commentary. The work also includes more than 150 period photographs, some of them previously unpublished. It is divided into four parts: the first is a brief overview of the history of the Luftwaffe and a presentation of its organisation. The second part is devoted to uniforms and dress attire, while flight uniforms, with their equipment and weapons, are presented in the third part. The fourth part evokes the fate of the men who distinguished themselves aboard their aircraft and traces in particular the story of one of them, told through his decorations and personal documents.

Historians of the Second World War, dedicated collectors, libraries and archives, and anyone with a passion for aviation history will be captivated by the original perspective this book brings to one of the most legendary air forces that has ever existed.