Barbarossa and the retreat to Moscow : recollections of fighter pilots on the Eastern Front
"The onset of war in the summer of 1941 was a disaster for the Soviet Air Force. In a few weeks, faced by the onslaught of the Luftwaffe, most of the Soviet frontline aircraft were destroyed, and the casualty rate among the pilots was cripplingly high. Yet the surviving few gained precious battle experience and they formed the core of the fighter force that turned the tables on the Germans and eventually won air superiority over the Eastern Front. Many of these Soviet pilots are still alive today and in this book they vividly recall the air battles of 60 years ago. In their memories, they recollect the chaos of the first moments of war - the nightmare of retreat and the overwhelming numerical and technological superiority of the Luftwaffe which wiped out fresh Soviet squadrons in days. But they also remember how their battle experience rapidly grew and how, with modern warplanes and new pilots, they confronted the Luftwaffe and eventually reversed the course of the war in the air. Looking back, they relive the terrifying dogfights they took part in, the exhilaration of shooting down an enemy, and the shock and bitterness of losing a friend. Most of the fighter pilots who contributed to this book were shot down at least once. Some were taken prisoner, escaped and joined partisans fighting behind the German lines. Some of these men were aces, with many victories to their names, and others were ordinary pilots. But they all have remarkable stories to tell"--Jacket
Print Book, English, 2007
Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, 2007
History
xv, 158 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm.
9781844155637, 1844155633
85691849
Vitaly I. Klimenko
Alexander E. Shvarev
Vitaly V. Rybalko
Viktor M. Sinaisky
Alexander F. Khaila
Ivan D. Gaidaenko
Includes index