Luftwaffe Hit-and-Run Raiders: Nocturnal Fighter-Bomber Operations over the Western Front 1943-1945

Focusing on the Luftwaffe fighter force in Denmark, northern Finland and Norway, the authors have spent many years collecting information and photographs for this comprehensive study. While the main emphasis of the book is on camouflage and markings, it also details the structure and organization of the units where these have a bearing on camouflage and/or markings. Fascinating details of the operations, tragic losses and accidents, and of the influential senior and junior commanders are also provided. In this regard, the authors have provided a large number of impressive colour profiles that accompany the photographs, as well as a separate analysis of each profile detailing the aircraft in question.The Luftwaffe's campaign in Scandinavia and the Far North from 1940 to 1945 is still regarded as largely 'uncharted territory' in terms of historical research. Significant photographic material is still emerging, revealing a treasure-trove of previously unseen and often unknown 'fact-busting' material. Air operations over the Far North were demanding and intensive, with the two main German fighter units JG 5 and JG 77 engaged against both the RAF and the Russians. Other aircraft examined include the lesser-known units such as the Jagdgruppe Drontheim and the Kommando Losigkeit who were also involved. Units such as ZerstOrer and 'Jabo'/Jagdbomber were engaged in attacking British and Soviet-held aircraft, airfields, bridges, communications lines and transport as well as enemy maritime targets. The Theatre produced a number of leading aces such as Heinrich Ehrler who was awarded the Ritterkreuz with 41 victories, Hptm Günther Scholz of III./JG 5 (Ritterkreuz), Theo Weissenberger (Ritterkreuz), and Ofw Rudolf Müller (Ritterkreuz).There is little published covering the air war over Denmark, Norway, Finland and the northern sector of the Eastern Front in particular, so this title will be of great importance to historians and modellers alike.