Casemate UK Phoenix - A Complete History Of the Luftwaffe 1918-1945

[Julien]

Phoenix - A Complete History Of the Luftwaffe 1918-1945

Volume 1 - The Phoenix is Reborn 1918-1934

ISBN : 9781910294505

Helion and Company Casemate UK

 

 

The Phoenix here is referring to the rebirth of the Luftwaffe following the end of The First World War. This series of books is based on an amazing 40 years of research and covers much more than famous aircraft, battles and aces. Areas such as Training, organisation, and areas not normally researched such as Anti-Aircraft guns, signalling and medical services are also examined.  This series of books will examine five major themes from the history; (A) Strategy and Command, (B) Ministerial Activity, (C) Technology and Production, (D) Infrastructure and Training, and (E) Operations. This will enable readers to look at a particular area if it suits them, and look at the relationships between, and holding these aspects together. 

 

 

This first volume covers a period which has not been extensively researched before. That immediately following the first world war, and the intervening secret build up of the Luftwaffe prior to its public unveiling in 1935.  A great deal of development / preparatory work was done in this period not only in training, and aircraft development but in organising all the various parts. It shows how Goring and Hitler essentially inherited an air arm in waiting – a product of covert military professional endeavour over a period following the end of WWI. 

 

 

This volume is split into two parts. The first part deals with the years 1918 to 1932. The book calls this the period of secrecy where the emergency of the new German Armed Forces was kept secret. It follows from Germany in chaos after WWI, through the building of a new military, ordnance development, civil aviation, training of pilots, the development of the Flak Artillery; and the development of German Naval Aviation.  The second part follows the rise of Hitler from 1933 to 1934 when all of the military activities came more to the fore. 

 

Conclusion

This book should provide readers with a complete understanding of the early years of the Luftwaffe while is existence was still in fact a secret to many. You can see where the 40 years of research have gone to provide such an in depth look at this period. The book is hard cover slightly larger than A5 and 650 pages long. There are two sections with black & white photos. 

 

Highly Recommended.

Vol I

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

 

[Julien]

Phoenix - A Complete History Of the Luftwaffe 1918-1945

Volume 2 - The Genesis of Air Power 1935 - 1937

ISBN : 9781910777275

Helion and Company Casemate UK

 

 

The Phoenix here is referring to the rebirth of the Luftwaffe following the end of The First World War. This series of books is based on an amazing 40 years of research and covers much more than famous aircraft, battles and aces. Areas such as Training, organisation, and areas not normally researched such as Anti-Aircraft guns, signalling and medical services are also examined.  This series of books will examine five major themes from the history; (A) Strategy and Command, (B) Ministerial Activity, (C) Technology and Production, (D) Infrastructure and Training, and (E) Operations. This will enable readers to look at a particular area if it suits them, and look at the relationships between, and holding these aspects together. 

 

 

This second volume now focuses on the period 1935 to 1937, calling this the Genesis of Air Power. This again has been an area neglected by previous works.  During this time period the concept of Air War or luftkrieg was developed. This period was a time of great expansion for the Luftwaffe, not only in terms of aircraft and training with many new bases and units being formed; but also the formation of the Flakartillerie and crucial supply chains. This period also looks at the formation of reserve forces and re-militarisation. All of this happening under the new General and former WWI pilot Goring. What is also central during this period was the deployment of the Condor Legion to assist in the Spanish Civil War. Without a doubt the Luftwaffe used this as training to develop luftkrieg into what it was to become, and how to integrate this into Blitzkrieg.

 

 

This volume is A5 hard back in format and an impressive 836 pages. There are two large sections of black and white photographs.

 

Conclusion

This book should provide readers with a complete understanding of the early development of the Luftwaffe and how it grew with German militarisation in these inter war years. It is interesting to read how their involvement in the Spanish Civil War was to develop strategies going forward. The book is hard cover slightly larger than A5 and 650 pages long. There are two sections with black & white photos. 

 

Highly Recommended.

Vol II

 

Review sample courtesy of

 

 

[Gorby]

These look excellent.

Bit pricey for the full set, but I can see the possibility of one on the birthday/Christmas list for the next couple of years.

[Julien]

29 minutes ago, Gorby said:

These look excellent.

Bit pricey for the full set, but I can see the possibility of one on the birthday/Christmas list for the next couple of years.

Yes they might be a bit pricey, but you are paying for 40 years research and quality printing. If you were to buy one at a time then it spreads it out.

 

Hopefully volume III will be out this summer.

 

Julien