Arctic Bf 109 and Bf 110 Aces (Aircraft of the Aces, 124)

Osprey's leading Luftwaffe authority provides an absorbing account of the experiences of the aces in-theatre, and the title also features exquisite illustrations of the aircraft they flew, including selected profiles of aircraft in special winter camouflage. The exploits of the Luftwaffe fighter aces in World War 2 are some of the best-documented in aviation literature, yet comparatively little has been published about those operating in the Arctic Circle. The brunt of the fighting was borne initially by the special purpose Jagdgruppe z.B.V , comprising of Staffeln of both BF 109 and BF 110 Zerstörer , based in Norway. These units were responsible for some outstanding successes and at first suffered only minimal casualties themselves. As the dual threats of the RAF, operating from across the North Sea, and the Red Air Force in the East increased in numerical force and competence, the Luftwaffe increased its fighter presence to full Geschwader strength with the formation of JG 5 Eismeer (Ice-sea) in early 1942. The struggle for the frozen skies of the arctic raged on as the embattled JG 5 produced some of the Eastern Front's leading experten, pilots of the calibre of Theodor Weissenberger, Heinrich Ehrler, Walter Schuck, Franz Dörr and Jakob Norz all achieving over 100 kills and all listed here. Once Nazi Germany had conquered Norway in 1940, just a handful of Gruppen flying the Bf 109 and Bf 110 fighters was able to shatter all opposition and dominate the air in the Arctic Circle. Yet as the dual threat of the Royal Air Force and the Red Air Force grew, the Luftwaffe was forced to increase its fighter presence to full Geschwader strength with the formation of JG 5 Eismeer (Ice-Sea) in early 1942. The struggle for the frozen skies of the arctic raged on until the end of the war as the embattled JG 5 produced some of the Eastern Front's leading aces: pilots of the caliber of Theodor Weissenberger, Heinrich Ehrler, Walter Schuck, Franz Dörr, and Jakob Norz, all achieving over one hundred kills. Featuring firsthand accounts from the pilots, extensive research from a leading authority on the Luftwaffe, and illustrations of the aircraft in unique winter camouflage, this book is a comprehensive guide to the Arctic Experten and the planes they flew. = Once Nazi Germany had conquered Norway in 1940, just a handful of Gruppen flying the Bf 109 and Bf 110 fighters were able to shatter all opposition and dominate the air in the Arctic Circle. This is a guide to the Arctic Experten and the planes they flew.