NIGHT FIGHTER ACES OF THE LUFTWAFFE 1940-43

NIGHT FIGHTER ACES OF THE LUFTWAFFE 1940-43 
By Neil Page & Jean-Louis Roba. 
In this first of two volumes, the authors take a look at the how the Luftwaffe's night fighter squadrons (Nachtjagd) begun and how they adapted and ultimately became more successful with experience. 

Through the addition of first-hand pilot accounts, we learn of their frustrations at not being able to get at the Allied bombers.
Without any aids or radar systems at this time, it was a decision by a determined few pilots in those early months of the war to attempt night flying. Here they relied on the German searchlights to cone an unfortunate Allied bomber, so that a night fighter could be guided towards it to attack. 
It would be the night of 26/27 April 1940 when the Nachtjagd recorded its first night victory, a Hampden bomber of 49 Sqn.

The book introduces readers to many of the pilots, aided with many photographs. Their victory tallies grew rapidly with night flying experience and with the arrival of ground radar systems. This new technology now allowed for the night fighters to fly in sectors or boxes and wait for the arrival of the bombers to pass through. It proved to be an extremely successful period for the now growing Nachtjagd squadrons and led to Bomber Command having to adopt new tactics and technology as a countermeasure.

With the arrival of Arthur 'Bomber' Harris and his tactic of bombing raids involving hundreds of aircraft, the number of victories by the Nachtjagd grew even more rapidly. 
Naturally they became a constant worry for the brave Bomber Command aircrews who would continually be sent over occupied and enemy territory.
As the chapter on the 'Battle of the Ruhr' proves, it would be a very costly period for Bomber Command. 

This is another fascinating edition in Casemate's Illustrated series. As always, readers will find great quality photos, extra individual articles covering pilots, as well as profiles of the different aircraft that they flew.
I certainly look forward to reading the upcoming second volume that will cover 1944-45.

This paperback edition is available now, published by Casemate Publishers.
As part of the Pen and Sword Books group, I thank Script Books for this review copy. 


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