The end of the Second World War in Europe was an epoch of complete social, cultural and technological upheaval. In the realm of military and aviation history this period was revolutionary. The eclipse of the piston-engine, the introduction of electronic detection equipment, rockets and airborne weapons in previously unknown quantities changed the face of the air war and paved the way for post-war developments in aviation technology. Many details of this crucial phase of the war remained hidden for many years in top-secret files, but in this fascinating new history Manfred Griehl makes use of recently declassified sources, alongside his own vast collection of photographs, to provide a fresh look at the story of the Luftwaffe. Among the many aspects he covers are the new models of Bf 109 and Fw 190, the Me 262 jet plane, the establishment of He 162 Squadron Stukas and Fw 190 fighter-bomber operations on the Eastern Front. Me 262 Blitzbombers in the West. The recruitment of 1928 born Hitler Youth into the two hundred glider schools, the increasing importance of remote-controlled air-to-air rockets and the development of heavy bombs, remote-controlled bombs, atom bomb's and Germany's chemical and bacteriological arsenal. Packed full of fascinating revelations ? such as the existence of the real-life Luftwaffe kamikaze squadron ? this meticulously researched and fully illustrated book will be of interest to historian and enthusiast alike. AUTHOR: Manfred Griehl is a noted expert on the Luftwaffe in WWII and his many publications include Luftwaffe X-Planes, German Experimental Aircraft of World War II, Luftwaffe Over America, The Secret Plans to Bomb the United States in World War II and Airwar over the Atlantic. SELLING POINTS: Fresh investigation into the Luftwaffe projects and strategies in the last year of the war Meticulously researched and packed with new information Reveals the existence of the real-life Luftwaffe kamikaze squadron 180 b/w photos
